For the first time, Dartmouth will participate in the state's School Choice program starting in the 2016-2017 academic year.

The motion to participate in the program was passed 4-1 at a School Committee meeting on Monday evening.

Under School Choice, any public school can accept students from other school districts in return for a “tuition” payment that essentially moves state aid from a student’s home district to the district in which he or she is attending school. In this case, School Choice would permit students from other districts to attend school in Dartmouth.

School Choice will permit the Dartmouth school district to accept a limited number of students from other districts. School choice has been brought up on two separate occasions but was voted down with "little discussion," said Chair Chris Oliver.

Superintendent Bonny Gifford gave her recommendation of accepting a maximum of 30 students in grades nine and 10 only, preferably with 15 per grade. Gifford said students would be selected by lottery. After being accepted, students would be part of the Dartmouth system until graduation unless they should choose to withdraw. Siblings of accepted students would receive preference.

Tuition for incoming students would be $5,000, which would be paid for by the sending town. The program will not cost Dartmouth taxpayers any additional money.

After the first year, the committee can review the program and decide if they’d like to keep it, expand it it, or remove it.

"If it doesn't work, we don't have to vote 'yes' every time," said committee member Dr. Carol Karafotis.

This is not the first program of its kind in Dartmouth. School Choice remains separate from the Educatius International study abroad program, slated to accept students from grades 11 and 12. Additionally, children of out-of-town Dartmouth school faculty are permitted to attend school in Dartmouth.

According to Gifford, in the last decade, attendance at Dartmouth High School has decreased by about 300 students. Currently, there are 300 students attending the vocational school instead of Dartmouth High. The extra revenue from School Choice would help cushion the budget for future years.

According to Oliver, the projections for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 are “grim at best.”

"Difficult times call for creative measures,” he said.

Most committee members initially had reservations, but those were alleviated after Gifford showed that there would be financial gain “without restriction” and any additional money spent on special education would be reimbursed.

“It's not just about the money, it's about providing opportunity to other kids,” committee member Dr. Shannon Jenkins said.

Though the committee did vote largely in favor of the program, they made the distinction that though they could recommend the program, it is up to school administrators to adopt the program.