6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026. I call the meeting of the Gardener School Committee to order and ask the clerk to please call the role. >> Mrs. Cormier, >> present. >> Mr. Lefernier, >> present. >> Mr. Schwarz, >> present. >> Mrs. Pavven, >> present. >> Mrs. Hurst, >> present. >> Mr. Cormier
>> present. >> Mayor Nicholson >> present. >> Dr. Pellegrino >> present. >> Um Aiden I'm sorry Aiden. >> No it's okay. >> Laspanatada. >> Laspanatada and Natalie >> Ruiz. Ruiz >> Ruiz.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Everyone who's able please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> First item on our agenda is the open time for the general public. Is there anyone here from the general public who wishes to be heard? >> Seeing none, moving on to item C. Uh, per the city charter, yesterday at 10:00 a.m., uh, those who were elected at the
last, uh, municipal election were sworn into office. And we have our new school committee member joining us here this evening for the first time making his debut at our meeting, Mr. Paul Cormier. Paul, welcome to the school committee. Looking forward to having you here. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Um and with that said, our next item is the reorganization of the committee uh by the city charter. On the first Tuesday of J uh January of every year, the city u the school committee must meet uh to have its reorganizational
meeting to choose who its officers will be for the coming year. Uh as the mayor is the chair of the school committee by the city charter, I'll be overseeing that election process and I'll hereby open nominations for the position of vice chair of the school committee. Attorney Pal. >> Um I nominate Rachel Cormier.
>> Is there a second? >> Second >> motion. Uh there's a nomination by attorney, second by Mr. Lefrenier for Mrs. Rachel Cormier as the vice chair of the school committee. Are there any other nominations from the floor? Are there any other nominations from the floor? Are there any n other nominations
performed the floor for the position of vice chair? >> Move that nominations for vice chair be closed. >> Is there a second? >> Motion made by Mr. Schwarz, second by Mr. Lefrenier to close nominations for the position of vice chair. Is there any discussion on that motion? >> Hearing none, all in favor say I. I
oppose. Nay. >> Motion carries and the nominations are now closed. At this time, we'll have a uh roll call vote. State the name of the candidate who you choose to vote for for the position of vice chair. >> Okay. Mrs. Cormier. >> Um do I?
>> Yo, >> I vote for myself. >> Mr. Lefrenier. >> Rachel Cormier. >> Mr. Schwarz. >> Rachel Cormier. >> Mrs. Favven. >> Rachel Cormier. >> Mrs. Hurst. >> Rachel Cormier. >> Mr. Cormier. Rachel Cormier. >> Yeah, Rachel Cormier.
>> Dr. Palgrado. >> I don't just me. Yeah. Um, I should have told you that before. I'm sorry I threw you. I I surprised you with that one, Brenda. I'm sorry. Uh, congratulations to Rachel Cormier, who has been reelected the committee's vice chair for the 2026 calendar year. Uh, at this
time, we'll open nominations for the position of finance officer for the committee. >> I'll nominate John. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second. Motion made by nomination made by Attorney Pave and seconded by Vice Chair Cormier to nominate Mr. Lefrenier for the position of finance officer. Are there any other nominations
from the floor? Are there any other nominations from the floor? Are there any other nominations from the floor? >> Move the nominations for finance officer be closed. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Schwarz, second by Attorney Pivven to close nominations for
the position of finance officer of the school committee. Is there any discussion on that motion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Nay. Motion carries. At this time, we'll have the roll call vote for a finance officer. >> Mrs. Cormier. >> Mr. Lefrenier. >> Mr. Lefrenier. >> John Lefrenier.
>> Mr. Schwarz. >> John Lefrenier. >> Mrs. Belen. >> John Lefrenier. >> Mrs. Hurst. >> John Lefrenier. >> Mr. Cormier. >> John Lefrenier. >> Mayor Nicholson. >> John Lefrenier. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. At this time, we'll hereby open nominations for the position of alternate finance officers. There are
two of these. Are there any nominations from the floor? Mr. I nominate Robert Schwarz and Jennifer Pavven as alternates. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Lefren, seconded by Mr. Schwarz. Nomination made by Mr.
Lefrener. Seconded by Mr. Schwarz to nominate Mr. Schwarz and Attorney Pavven as the alternate finance officers for the committee. Are there any other nominations from the floor? Are there any other nominations from the floor? Are there any other nominations from the floor? Move the nominations for alternate
finance officers be closed. Is >> there a second? Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Schwartz, second by Lefrenier to close the nominations for alternate finance officers. Is there any discussion on that motion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Nay. Motion carries. And we'll have our roll call vote.
>> Mrs. Cormier. Um, Robert Schwarz and Jennifer Pavven. >> Mr. Lefrenier. >> Robert Schwarz and Jennifer Pavven. >> Mr. Schwarz. >> Robert Schwarz and Jennifer Pavven. Mrs. Pven, >> Robert Schwarz and Jennifer Pven, >> Mrs. Hurst, >> Robert Schwarz and Jennifer Pven,
>> Mr. Cornier, >> Robert Schwarz and Jennifer Pven, >> and Mayor Nicholson, >> Robert Schwarz and Jennifer Bel. >> Congratulations you two. Moving on, I'll hereby open nominations for the position of secretary. Are there any nominations to the floor? Mrs. uh F.
>> I'll nominate Anne Hurst. I'll second >> uh nomination made by attorney, second by Mrs. Cormier to nominate Annne Hurst the position of secretary of the school committee. Are there any other nominations from the floor? Are there any other nominations from the floor? Are there any other nominations from the floor?
>> Move that the nominations for secretary be closed. >> Is there a second? >> Motion by Mr. Schwarz second to close nominations for the position of secretary. Is there any discussion on that motion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Nay. Motion carries.
At this time we'll have the roll call. >> Mrs. Mr. Cornier >> and Hurst >> Mrs. Mr. Lefrenier >> and Hurst >> Mr. Schwartz >> and Hurst >> Mrs. Pven >> and Hurst >> Mrs. Hurst >> and Hurst >> Mr. Cornier >> and Hurst >> and Mayor Nicholson >> and Hurst.
>> Congratulations Mrs. Hurst. >> Thank you. >> Uh that concludes the reorganization of the school committee for the 2026 calendar year. Congratulations to all of those who were elected to their various office of positions. Moving on to item E, the consent agenda. This was included in your packet this evening. Is there a
motion on the floor? Move to uh accept the consent agenda as presented. >> Is there a second? Motion made by me, second by Mr. Schwarz to present [clears throat] the consent agenda as presented in the packet. Is there any discussion on that motion? Hearing none, all in favor say I. I. Oppose. Nay. [clears throat] Motion carries.
>> Uh we're going to take item F, the reports of the subcommittee, the policy subcommittee together with uh item 3746, first reading of policies out of order. and followed by item 3747 out of order also unless there is objection from the committee. Is there any objection?
Seeing none, we'll move on to Mrs. Hurst for your policy committee report before we take those items. >> Uh we met on December 17th. Um we discussed the policies. We have some that were um
okay is reviewed. And tonight we have um let's see 10 for first read and 10 for second read. All right, moving on to item 3746, first reading of
policies. Policy. Here we go. DBD, budget planning. DBJ, budget transfer authority, DD, grants, proposals, and special projects. DGA, authorized signatures, DH, bonded employees and officers. DI fiscal accounting and reporting. DIE audits, DJ purchasing, JA
field trips, JA-E field trip approval form. This was included in your packet for first reading to be voted on at a subsequent school committee meeting in February. Uh so we'll keep those here for first reading. Moving on to item 3747, second reading of policies policy BGD,
school committee review and procedures, DB, excuse me, BHC, school committee staff communications. B I BA school committee conferences, conventions and workshops. CB school uh superintendent. CH policy implementation. CHCA approval
of handbook and directives. CHD administration in policy absence. JBB education equity. The policy subcommittee recommends acceptance of the above proposals. Is there a motion on the floor? Mrs. Hurst. Um >> make a motion to um accept the above
policies. >> Is there a second? >> A second. >> Motion made by Mrs. Hurst. Second by Vice Chair Cormier to accept the policies as presented. Is there any discussion on that motion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. Oppose. Nay. Motion carries. Going back up on the agendas to item G are
student reports this evening to Ms. Ruiz and Mr. Laspinano. >> Congratulations to our December Wildcat winners. Alivia Kaiser, Gabe Cronin, Kiana Richardson Burroughs, and Mackenzie H. Um, Gardener High School was one of a smaller number of schools invited to
attend the celebrating academic su success conference in Malbero. On December 3rd, schools invited were recognized for having their most recent MCAST scores reach or exceed pre- pandemic levels. >> We held our first annual holiday movie night on December 13th where all GPS
families were invited to watch a holiday movie with free snacks and drinks in the DHS gymnasium. More than 25 families attended. On December 17th, the English classes for the class of 2028 were able to go to the handover theater to see A Christmas Carol. The play was great and
the students had a wonderful time. >> We held our annual success assembly with upper classmen share their personal experiences overcoming obstacles and finding success. >> We held our holiday concert on Thursday, December 18th. The band and chorus programs continued to be topnotch and were in full display for a packed Landry
auditorium. Student students interested in engineering were able to visit multiple innovative companies and speak directly with engineers to learn about their work. Our winter athletic season has officially tipped off. A number of students have worked hard to join our athletic teams and a number of teams
already have some wins under their belts and Cam Gosh reached his 1,00 point milestone this past weekend, January 3rd. >> And that concludes Thank you very much. Is there any questions, comments, concerns from the members of the committee? Mr. Ruiz, welcome. I uh got to do this for Mr. Laspinado at his first meeting,
but uh I sat in that seat when I was a senior in high school. Uh and it's a neat way to see how the government works. And I think Massachusetts is very unique in being one of the only states that by law requires us to have students on the committee uh to be able to get your perspective on the stuff that comes before the table. So always feel free to say whatever you'd like and if there
have any questions on anything along the way, always feel free to pipe in whatever you choose to too. But thank you very much for being here, too. And Aiden, same thing for you that I said before. >> Thank you very much. Any other questions, comments, concerns from the members of the committee? >> I just wanted to welcome them both and and it it is it's a very important that
we understand your perspective on things. >> So, never be afraid to speak up. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to communications from the superintendent. >> Um just happy new year to everyone. Um a
great start to the new year. Um, welcome to Natalie who's uh a senior now, five years on the soccer team, three years in Best Buddies, I think, right? And um, also in the top 10 of her class, so plans to go to college and study business later on. So, welcome to the
team. And Aiden, your old hat, this is old hat for you now, right? >> A little bit. [laughter] >> But, um, welcome to everyone. I hope everyone had a great holiday and I'm excited to start the new semester. um like we did for the first meeting last year just to give our new members a
chance to see how this goes. We're going to start over here with Mrs. Cormier for final comments of the school committee. Item J. >> All right. I'm looking forward to a new um you know term starting and I it's nice to see Mr. Cormier here. He's been very friendly so far. I'm looking forward to working with you over the next few years. Um thank you all for
voting me as vice chair again. I appreciate that. But really it's just a title. We work as a team and I really appreciate everything everybody does to teach me every time we get together as well as do what's best for the district. >> Thank you, Mr. Leia. >> I just want to welcome uh Paul Commian
to the committee. I look forward to working with you. Um thank you Aiden and welcome Natalie. >> Mr. Schwarz, >> happy new year everyone. Thank you Paul Colombia for getting
elected. We are now even as you notice for many years. John and I have been a minority. [laughter] So now we're even. So we should promote some good discussions with each team of three.
I'm looking forward to January 20th, I believe, the the U invocation or the indoctrination into the honor society at the high school. I'm looking forward to being there. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Um Natalie, is there anything
you'd like to close out with Aiden? Good. >> This is uh Blen. >> Um I'd just like to say happy new year everyone. And congratulations Rachel, John, and Bob for getting elected to your positions. And congratulations, Paul. It's nice to see you here. And look forward to working with you.
>> This is hers. >> Same. [laughter] pretty much. >> No, I am I'm looking forward to another another four years and um it's nice to have somebody different because beside
me that I have been known to poke people. So just >> [laughter] >> um congratulations to everybody and um the um National Honor Society. I'm really looking forward to that too. I think you you kind of sometimes you feel
like you're not making a big difference in things, but then when we get invited to um things like that and you get to see what the students are accomplishing, it um it really makes you feel like you've been part of something bigger.
So, >> Mr. Cormier, >> well, thank you all for the well-wishing and Robert, I presume what you mean is we get three old people and three younger people on the committee. Is [laughter] that what you and uh you know speaking of young folks I uh I'm excited to see that we have students on the
committee and uh I would urge you not to allow your youth to get in your way. You uh don't be shy and uh and I would just close with one quote from William Butler Yeets. Education is not the filling of a pale but the lighting of a
fire. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you. A couple things I have. First of all, there is a parking ban tonight. I made that call right before we were walking up here. So, if you get that on Facebook later, you know it's real. Um, couple other things. The Rockwell Committee uh is going to be meeting in
midFebruary. We do have the grant applications open through the end of the month for our teachers, staff, uh, and people of the school district to apply for those there. Uh, should be an exciting year for uh, people who submit applications. So, make sure you get those applications in in time. You still have a couple more weeks before the
January 30th uh, deadline to get those in for our teachers and staff. Uh, last thing I'll close on is just as a reminder that this coming Thursday at 6:30 p.m. is the city's inauguration ceremony in Perry Auditorium. I've got uh here at city hall. Uh, if you do plan to attend as a member of the committee, please do let Ryan in my office know so
we can make sure you have a seat. Uh, and then uh it should be a good time. Uh, we've got a lot of people who have put in a lot of work uh to get the ceremony uh off the ground and running. Uh, you can see from the thank you citations that we have here in front of us how many people are involved in the ceremony itself. Uh, and it should be a
good time uh for everyone involved. So, make sure you stop by. It is open to the public too for anyone who wish to attend. And with that is there uh we don't have any sess executive sessions this evening. We [clears throat] are going back to our regular second Monday of the month schedule uh after today
because again January is different by the city charter. So our next meeting will be Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 6 p.m. right here in the council chambers. And with that, is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Second. Motion made by Mr. Fryer, second by Mr. Schwarz. All in favor say I. Oppose. Nay. Motion carries. Thank you
all very much. See you in February.