About Union 28

In 1901, the towns of Erving, Leverett, New Salem, and Wendell voted to form a superintendency union. In 1902, the Town of Shutesbury joined the collaboration, creating what is now known as the Erving School Union #28 District. Originally formed to support cost-sharing, this partnership continues to provide shared services and strong connections among the member districts more than a century later.

Union #28 comprises four elementary (PreK–Grade 6) school districts: Erving Elementary School, Leverett Elementary School, Shutesbury Elementary School, and Swift River School. Swift River School serves as a small regional school for the towns of New Salem and Wendell, allowing those communities to realize the benefits of regionalization while maintaining a close-knit school environment.

Each district within Union #28 is autonomous and governed by its own locally elected school committee, which oversees the educational program and operations of its elementary school. Collectively, the five towns share the cost and oversight of the Superintendent of Schools and the Union #28 Central Office, supporting collaboration while honoring local governance.