Gardner School Committee Adopts Two Policies, Declares 39-Item Electronics Surplus

GARDNER — April 13, 2026 — Gardner School Committee adopts two policies, declares electronics surplus, and hears four-option health insurance briefing from mayor. The committee voted unanimously Monday to adopt Policy ECAB, a new buildings-and-grounds access policy, and to revise Policy EEAEC on student conduct on school buses, with Mayor Michael Nicholson abstaining as is his practice. The board also declared 39 obsolete electronic items — including Chromebooks, laptops, and projectors — surplus for disposal. Superintendent Dr. Mark Pellegrino was reappointed by separate votes to represent the district on the boards of the Keystone and CAPS collaboratives. Finance Subcommittee Chair John LaFreniere reported that the FY27 school budget still carries a deficit of roughly $1.5 million after more than $1 million in cuts, with health insurance identified as the top cost driver. Nicholson then used final comments to publicly outline four health insurance options facing the city ahead of an approximately May 1 decision deadline, noting that insurance costs have risen $5.5 million citywide since FY19; the least disruptive option — matching Group Insurance Commission benchmark plan designs while remaining with Blue Cross — would trim the projected 12.5 percent rate increase to 10 percent and save the city $300,000 to $350,000.