Gardner School Committee Adopts Six Policies, Approves Superintendent Raise at Final Meeting

GARDNER — June 8, 2026 — Gardner School Committee closes school year with unanimous votes on policies, superintendent raise, and a family donation. The committee, chaired by Mayor Michael Nicholson, approved six updated or new school policies on second reading Monday, including the Physical Restraint Policy and Procedures (JKAA), which aligns the district with state regulations taking effect August 17, and a new Parent Advisory Councils policy (KBG). Members also unanimously accepted a $2,000 donation from the Sauter family to Gardner High School for students in need, accepted Superintendent Dr. Mark Pellegrino's summative evaluation rating him overall as proficient, and voted to grant him a contractual raise tied to the staff-wide percentage increase. A grants update disclosed that the district was not awarded a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center grant of up to $1,961,000 for middle school air handling unit replacements, and flagged an expected 7 to 10 percent reduction in federal Title I and Title II funding in FY27. The committee's next meeting is September 14, 2026.