Students at Concord-Carlisle High School have a graduation requirement of 40 hours of community service. Through an online program, they can easily find, sign up for and complete the work on their own. Ann Trudeau, board member of 2Volunteeronline, said the site has been operating since 2005. "It grew from the community," said Trudeau. "It's not new, but we want to make students and nonprofits aware of what it is." She said by signing in, a student can be matched with an agency that needs volunteers for a specific event, or a longer commitment. All the forms are online, so the agency does not…

Editor's Note:  This story is part of a nationwide Patch series probing the economy's effect on local schools. Superintendent Diana Rigby laid out a fiscal year 2012 operating budget for both K-8 and the regional high school that are "challenging," but within the Finance Committee guidelines. Calling it "another challenging fiscal environment," Rigby cited the $2 billion state budget gap, reductions in state aid and circuit breaker reimbursement for special education and no more federal stimulus money. Concord received so-called stim money last year plus a further injection of state funds …

Editor's Note:  This story is part of a nationwide Patch series probing the economy's effect on local schools. The value of cross-cultural education is immense, say educators at Concord-Carlisle High School. A recent exchange with Turkmenistan is a good example. English teacher David Nurenberg piloted the exchange program by traveling to the Asian country two years ago, and set up a sister-school relationship with a high school there.  Superintendent Diana Rigby said Nurenberg arranged a visit in October by Turkmen students. He established a partnership between CCHS and School Number 17 …

The multi-layered process that becomes the schools' operating budgets start in the five buildings in Concord, and end up on the floor of Town Meeting. But along the way, "all stakeholders in the schools" have a chance to participate, said Superintendent Diana Rigby. "All decisions about the budget are made by the committee, but the administrative team makes recommendations," she said. The administration at the Ripley building consults with principals, who have in turn met with parent groups on the needs at each of the elementary, middle or high school facilities. For instance, Rigby said 64 …

Editor's Note:  This story is part of a nationwide Patch series probing the economy's effect on local schools. In the wake of a mini-windfall from the federal government, the Concord schools were able to reinstate several teaching positions that were cut from the budget in recent months. As part of the Obama administration's education jobs bill, Gov. Deval Patrick announced last month that the town would receive approximately $300,000 which the committee and the superintendent allocated to various school programs. At the time the jobs bill passed, Patrick noted that he was pleased that young …