In 1901, the towns of Erving, Leverett, New Salem and Wendell voted to form a superintendency union. The town of Shutesbury was voted into the union in 1902, thus forming the current Erving School Union #28 District. The five towns came together in the early 1900s for cost-sharing purposes, which continue to strongly tie its four elementary (PK-Grade 6) school districts together. These districts include Erving Elementary School, Leverett Elementary School, Shutesbury Elementary School and the Swift River School (which reaps the cost-saving benefits of being a small regional school for the towns of New Salem and Wendell). Each district is autonomous and elects its own school committee which oversees the educational program for its elementary school. Together, the Union #28 communities share the cost and oversight of the superintendent and central office.