[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6605661,"mediaKeyId","2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792","parentId",2985101,"title","Votes at a glance: School Committee approves first readings, leases, field trips and budget transfers","audioSeconds",712,"startMs",5148000,"endMs",5860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792&start=5148&end=5860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792/thumbnail_5148000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605661/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-School-Committee-approves-first-readings-leases-field-trips-and-budget-transfers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605661-6049186ee33a84187f2b422a167986a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086894&Signature=cH3XXN0O1V~7YTeaSgb7bLEgBXDUXcqVjELbpqCIzwZhuORzG~xaz69eqB1Iq~MNT1d5GST0~z2-2VHyKAIfjV1Ms0YdqE1Y2FhoqGb6fVagpT7H8AMFoToEyxPKihHlbzXsGJBtJldd3ZOo6-R~g~SezuU-MWVqzAxpii~xIQjf-S0zPZfSXhAuL2cqutgALgiKXNzyu9FEEESI7nSv4ZfOJ0nWVdvWE2vD7BCvsdZEHF11CB~dzWZig54lOcZmpSp1cRqkcRtpi4s8ZblaLAGJfsFDyQ2sWVPbge7PXA3BpLPQbVtdVP5aQBCy0arU7aj8Eeze2mMMuBGmrq6Oww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leominster Public Schools, MA","date","2025-04-14T18:12:57.017Z","article","The School Committee took a number of procedural and approval votes during the meeting. Several items were approved by voice vote; the transcript records motions, seconds and \"all in favor\" results but does not include recorded roll‑call tallies.

Key outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript:

- Approval of the March 3 meeting minutes (motion made and seconded; voice vote).

- First reading approved for the Interscholastic Athletics policy (JJIB) as amended by the policy subcommittee: language changed to \"student athlete\" and duplicate forfeiture language removed (see separate article).

- Conditional approval of a lease for space at 690 Mechanic Street to support CAPS collaborative programming, including an expanded adult program; committee vote conditioned on execution of a formal lease.

- Committee approved joining the CAPS collaborative (formal vote recorded after discussion).

- Approval of an overnight field trip (METG finals competition) and related expenditures; the committee approved funding from the Kendall Fund for specified after‑school tutoring and related items.

- Approval of warrants (multiple warrants listed) and revolving fund warrants (detailed warrant amounts were read into the record).

- Approval of a transfer request moving funds from general fund salaries to general fund expenses totaling $5,580,000 (motion made, seconded and approved).

- Approval of obsolete equipment disposal (including an old bus and computers).

- Approval of a multi‑year contract (three‑year agreement referenced in executive session) for staff; committee voted to approve the contract terms described.

The public transcript does not include named vote tallies for each motion. Several committee members and staff also noted that some votes are contingent on executed documents (for example, the CAPS lease) or pending state actions (budgetary items). If readers need a roll‑call record or formal vote counts, the committee clerk’s official minutes and subsequent public records will include roll‑call votes where required by policy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leominster School Committee Meeting 04/07/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the Leominster School Committee approved a slate of procedural items including minutes, a first reading of an athletics policy amendment, a conditional lease for a CAPS program site and several fiscal motions; individual vote tallies were not recorded in the public transcript.","taxTitle","Leominster Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",67683,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605672,"Public commenters urge athletics forfeiture protections; committee advances revised athletics policy on first reading",5141,112000,5253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792&start=112&end=5253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6605672/Massachusetts/Public-commenters-urge-athletics-forfeiture-protections-committee-advances-revised-athletics-policy-on-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605672-40e3165cbabffbca6619f55d584ab906/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086894&Signature=X7BzAfmht1MeHnXzP2qnumJ2LIQuyctsPKb2Pvqd9-KCzEKZS4dHZ3S3MNVBUnihV2TUuvGoIkjOGDGqGoLb5RiChiSV0BRtpgLkXGGReRH5n11U-TP8rgR8Knhgq4gYE0TbWTA0LKZUogAKMl0pIUjD3~kx6JssgnclZc4fEiBB6KaXiSt8Nk-MC5Kjv-avtNaljwhL9Bl3Z2iR4MDnR~54SOJwNgSqzDbG4O~61QaZpAclz0xtHhpArFxSn131zWgOsxUnLWzyY37ez4WmEycf2jGbp2FTZPXK7wdK-4IHbsZv2dm97jpLlZ9uV0JMZ6jqL6Ut~AGxXWfsSV6Xwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the School Committee meeting included calls for an athletics policy change to protect students and coaches who choose to forfeit contests on safety or comfort grounds.

Josh Natale of 96 Bicentennial Avenue addressed the committee during public comment and said he supported a proposed amendment to the athletics policy to permit athletes and coaches to forfeit a match without retaliation: \"I'm just here again to show my support for the, proposed change in policy that, athletes and coaches should be able to forfeit a match without any retaliation. I think that's important for the safety of our students,\" Natale said.

Committee members noted the athletics policy had been vetted in subcommittee and had been through a first‑reading process. In the subcommittee report, members said the Interscholastic Athletics policy (filed JJIB) was revised in two places; one change replaces the term \"player\" with \"student athlete\" and the committee removed duplicative forfeiture language because forfeiture procedures are governed by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and applicable law. The revised paragraph reads in part that if a \"student athlete chooses not to participate, the district will not penalize the student athlete for not participating.\"

A motion to approve the policy with the amendments was made and seconded; committee members voted in favor of the first reading. Committee members emphasized that final policy adoption requires a second reading and any additional public comment at that time.

The committee and staff noted that the policy must conform to MIAA rules and federal and state laws; the subcommittee removed language that duplicated MIAA forfeiture rules and clarified local protections for non‑participation.","A resident urged the committee to adopt a policy allowing athletes or coaches to forfeit matches without retaliation; the policy subcommittee presented a first reading amendment to ensure \"student athlete chooses not to participate\" will not be penalized and the committee approved the first reading.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605676,"Leominster presents $111.3 million preliminary FY26 budget; officials cite enrollment and low‑income increases",896,3379000,4275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792&start=3379&end=4275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792/thumbnail_3379000.jpg","/articles/6605676/Massachusetts/Leominster-presents-1113-million-preliminary-FY26-budget-officials-cite-enrollment-and-lowincome-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605676-3abdb2fe686ca4bf40bd08b68f02dbec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086894&Signature=X9cd9u95ZAWZDIfzU7YkFQO5-acCxFboljZ-vJpsUIfTpoamJCS4gcmcM9jr93xfCz5QzBn3psvf9owyuW-egpRTvO-JOnYmW9ttB5~PvhjqeFXXPLEEfo4hGRO17z3qaQH5QFpl22SASs9rZOx-WqzwZH0SK8MU9-QIvhAYYsFGA2nN5YqMnEXYnMsRImxhxu8qycddd4ZiKHbsLtYBOmPzApR7kyACOLxsNoFYUz44DaWYZFaiU4u-doaKyVz7kJSGZ9YPBYyTChsJEPfMq57wfq8gaVt2T5EWDxYTZlxnRroAN9kCoKVqjJsxySA3yCcv449TLtUpbcDBeOKsZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leominster Public Schools officials presented a preliminary fiscal 2026 budget that asks for $111,313,888 in net school spending and highlights rising enrollment, growing low‑income student counts and continued pressure from special‑education costs.

Melanie (presenter name listed as Melanie) walked the School Committee through the district’s foundation budget and line‑item changes. She said fiscal 26 shows a net school spending increase of $7,579,126; of that amount, $5,952,698 is attributed to Chapter 78 (state aid) and $1,626,428 to required local contribution adjustments. \"In fiscal 26, the preliminary increase in net school spending amounts to $7,579,126 Of this, dollars 5,952,698 is attributed to Chapter 78, while $1,626,428 comes from the required local contribution,\" she said.

The presentation listed key totals: wages and salaries requested at $70,037,582 (about 63% of the general fund budget), other expenses of $34,499,878, and indirect charges estimated at $6,776,429 for a combined total of $111,313,888. Melanie said districtwide enrollment used for the Chapter 70 foundation had increased by 113 students to 6,122 as of the October‑1 foundation snapshot. She also said the district’s low‑income student count rose 9.1%, yielding roughly $3.3 million in additional targeted funding tied to Student Opportunity Act calculations.

District staff identified several cost drivers: contractual salary adjustments, step and lane increases, 12 currently posted positions costing about $882,000 and 12 additional new positions request totaling about $925,000 to address enrollment growth and student needs. Benefits and fixed charges were projected to rise about 10% ($1,581,372) driven by insurance premium changes and added staff. Special‑education tuitions remain a volatile element; staff projected $9,277,000 for tuitions in the general fund, with a 6.8% year‑over‑year increase estimate on that line.

Committee members asked whether the October‑1 enrollment snapshot reliably predicts next‑year counts and how the district will manage staffing if demographic changes prove transient. The superintendent and budget staff said they monitor seasonal changes and use school choice, early kindergarten registration and enrollment trend analysis to reduce uncertainty.

Melanie said one‑time federal COVID (ESSER) funding has largely been exhausted and the district has worked to move items previously paid by ESSER into the general fund where appropriate. The presentation closed with staff noting the House and Senate budget processes still need to be completed at the state level and that a public hearing on the budget would be scheduled.

There was no final budget approval at the meeting; staff asked committee members to hold questions until the end of the presentation and to use forthcoming public hearings to submit formal feedback.","Budget presenters said the district’s preliminary net school spending request is $111,313,888; state Chapter 70/78 increases and a 9.1% rise in low‑income students are driving most of the additional funding requests and staffing adjustments.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605680,"Leominster schools detail SchoolAI rollout, stress teacher oversight and student privacy",1165,836000,2001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792&start=836&end=2001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985101-e33deb64498d4ac31e608e562c217792/thumbnail_836000.jpg","/articles/6605680/Massachusetts/Leominster-schools-detail-SchoolAI-rollout-stress-teacher-oversight-and-student-privacy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605680-b3a8f76aa6db0d2939855badfef2d0b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086894&Signature=U75cAYtpIDJyZKbvErQunNFhGRbqvyR79pyOUOB1OFqs-708E88JTXsmDWa6ZQxbUMkNu30xiyr7AaqnuV0yp8SeJUBf8YwIIxQcVzU1nTT5~yzdnFQjeqtnUH74QvyKMt5EKX7zyb-8S9APJ1Us3pT9kHfA-nEv67rBXf3s7MEl0nggLy7BkQISC0BdVOtluGNIKXgLU75p~EePyur7exDaDLYRvbRuzpUu-DbyfzZZUPYwX-UAuW9e8OL9~gOAKWu7mFURR63TZeDNFM519gjlEN9NyLRv6zWoAhB7TkpOm6q8EhnL6UkgSphiCKyv-YF9cUv8G8tjXPzeyX2KnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leominster Public Schools officials described an ongoing rollout of an AI learning platform and defended safeguards on student data and classroom use.

At the School Committee meeting, Stephanie Petito, Leominster’s digital learning administrator, said the district adopted the SchoolAI platform after teacher pilots and rolled it out to middle- and high-school staff between December and May. \"In Leominster, we adopted, School AI after having some teachers pilot sort of these 2 programs,\" Petito said. She said the district plans an elementary rollout in May or June and is gathering formal and informal feedback from teachers and students.

Petito said the platform differs from public chat services because teachers can view and manage every conversation a student has with the tool. She described automated safety flags and a teacher dashboard: the system can terminate a chat if it detects self-harm content and sends an alert to the teacher; teachers can pause or insert text into a conversation and can upload rubrics so the platform’s feedback aligns with a teacher’s grading standards. \"Teachers have access to all this data on SchoolAI, so they can see every single conversation that a child has had with these chatbots,\" she said.

Petito gave usage numbers from the district’s rollout: roughly 1,300 students have used SchoolAI this school year, about 300 teachers have logged in and roughly 20 use it regularly. She said special education staff were early adopters and that the platform has tutors and co‑teacher tools intended to provide individualized support and feedback for struggling and advanced learners alike.

Committee members raised questions about where the platform draws information, how the district controls knowledge bases, and whether a district knowledge base should be built to ensure consistent answers. Petito described SchoolAI as a ChatGPT and Gemini wrapper with filtering and stated that data entered in the platform is not reused to train external models: \"This data is not used to make anything smarter. It just kinda dies where it dies,\" she said.

Petito also said Leominster is part of DESE’s district leadership in the age of AI cohort and has consulted state and national guidance, including DESE materials, ISTE and UNESCO frameworks and an Evergreen Group competency framework, as it crafts local guidelines for classroom use. She said the state task force is expected to publish guidance quickly: \"They're looking at, like, a month because AI... is evolving rapidly,\" she told the committee.

The presentation closed with committee members urging a districtwide knowledge base and targeted use cases (grading, tutoring, lesson plan generation) rather than broad blanket bans. The committee asked staff to report back with updates; members suggested monthly or near‑term briefings as the district refines policy and practice.

The district did not request committee action at the meeting; the rollout described by staff is an administrative implementation with continuing review.

Looking ahead, Petito said the district will continue teacher training, collect feedback from pilot classrooms, and coordinate with state guidance as it finalizes local classroom rules and transparency requirements.","Digital learning administrator Stephanie Petito told the School Committee the district has piloted SchoolAI for middle and high schools, logged about 1,300 student interactions and plans an elementary rollout; staff emphasized teacher control, data protections and monitoring features.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: School Committee approves first readings, leases, field trips and budget transfers

Public commenters urge athletics forfeiture protections; committee advances revised athletics policy on first reading

Leominster presents $111.3 million preliminary FY26 budget; officials cite enrollment and low‑income increases

Leominster schools detail SchoolAI rollout, stress teacher oversight and student privacy