28:33A major highlight from the meeting was the announcement of $8 million in funds reallocated by the city council for various renovations across the district. These improvements aim to enhance educational facilities, including upgrades to the high school’s locker rooms and bathroom partitions, as well as renovations to the middle school’s entryway and roof. The committee noted that while many projects are planned, they will be completed sequentially.

16:14The meeting also focused on district improvement goals, particularly efforts to reduce academic equity gaps for multilingual learners and students with special needs. The committee discussed the need for common planning time and tier one core instructional practices. This initiative seeks to ensure that students, especially those in grades K through four, achieve grade-level reading skills. The evaluation of common planning time revealed a 64.27% fidelity at the district level, highlighting the potential for improvement in lesson design tailored to the needs of multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

Further discussion centered around the use of real-time data to monitor instructional practices and student achievement. This approach is intended to guide professional development and pinpoint areas requiring attention. Notably, Gardner High School showed a nine percentage point improvement in performance among students with disabilities, though the gap remains significant.

0:21In addition to these strategic discussions, the meeting celebrated the work of Joseph Lily, who has been engaging with immigrant families in the district by teaching English as a second language. His dedication to helping families integrate into the community was recognized by the committee, noting the importance of teaching life skills alongside language skills.

28:33The committee also addressed the need for inclusivity in school meetings, particularly through the implementation of translators and ASL interpreters. This measure aims to foster greater involvement and support from parents who face language barriers.

16:14On the academic front, the meeting highlighted the progress of English language learners, with Gardner Middle School reporting a decrease in students not meeting expectations. However, the committee expressed concern over the remaining 33% and set a goal to increase this percentage to 75% by the end of the school year.

The committee also discussed kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year, which opened on March 1st. With 98 students registered, the district is preparing to accommodate a typical capacity of 200 to 205 students while maintaining classroom sizes under 25 students, in line with DESE regulations.

28:33A report on Rockwell grants was also presented, detailing the allocation of approximately $29,000 to arts-related programs and other initiatives within Gardner Public Schools. These grants support projects such as communication boards for English language learners, outdoor classroom initiatives, and enhancements for the high school band. The committee praised the efforts of teachers who secured these grants and acknowledged the importance of supporting innovative educational projects.

The meeting concluded with a call to continue supporting mental health awareness, particularly suicide prevention.