Gardner School Committee Approves Six Policies, Honors 56 Adams Scholars

GARDNER — December 8, 2025 — Gardner School Committee approves six policies, honors 56 Adams Scholarship earners, and bids farewell to member Shannon Ward. The committee voted unanimously at its December 8 meeting to approve policies covering school committee officers, superintendent relationships, school council procedures, meeting minutes, supportive services, and medication administration, and also removed two policies found to be redundant. Superintendent Mark Pellegrino warned the committee that out-of-district special education costs are running significantly negative and that a restructuring of certain programs, developed with Dr. West, will likely push those numbers higher. Gardner Academy principal Dr. Barado presented a school improvement plan noting that 46 percent of the school's students have a known substance use history and 44 percent carry a formal mental health diagnosis, and outlined new vaping-intervention assemblies and a ServSafe certification program through Growing Places. Mayor Michael Nicholson announced the Rockwell Committee has made up to $322,770 available in grants, with a January 31 application deadline and awards expected in February.