Gardner principals report falling discipline referrals, rising early-college participation

Principal Balger, speaking as the Gardner High School principal, told the School Committee Tuesday that the district has seen large drops in disciplinary referrals and steady gains in attendance and student growth measures.

"We went from last year having 486 discipline referrals... and this year only having 246," Principal Balger said, citing school data that she said reflect expanded tiered interventions and consistent classroom expectations. She told the committee the school reviews expectations "in 100% of our classrooms" and has expanded homework club and check-and-connect supports for Tier 2 students.

The nut graff: the presentations gave the committee a progress report rather than a request for new action. School leaders framed the changes as improvements in intervention systems, college and career pathways, family outreach and restorative practices.

Balger emphasized progress on equity measures and attendance. She said the district has closed some gaps for students with disabilities in discipline and is narrowing achievement gaps; overall attendance was described as "94 point something," near the state's 95% target. Balger also described continued work to improve special-education outcomes and to expand targeted small-group (Tier 3) supports for the highest-need students.

Doctor Imperato, identified in the meeting as principal of Gardner Academy, described the alternative school's shift to semesters and to standards-based credit recovery that she said makes re‑engagement more achievable for students who struggle with traditional pacing. "By going to that semester system, it makes it more doable," Doctor Imperato said, explaining the school now awards credits at the end of each semester and offers buyback time and intervention blocks for missed classes.

Imperato said Gardner Academy is building restorative and trauma‑informed practices: weekly community-building circles, small learning communities with advisers, regular check-ins, and increased family outreach. She described new partnerships: the Child and Family Wellness Center in Leominster (providing clinicians and group supports), Department of Mental Health peer-mentor events, and ongoing work with probation and community agencies to reduce court referrals.

Director Payne, the college and career coordinator, told the committee the district's early-college program enrolled 98 students this year and recorded a 95% retention rate for semester 1. Payne said that, compared with last year, the number of early-college students on academic probation fell from 26 to 9 and that students receiving IEP or 504 supports retained at higher rates this year after targeted supports were added.

Payne also provided a status update on vocational programming: Monty Tech programs currently host 30 students (15 juniors, 15 seniors) in carpentry and electrical, and the district received state approval to add plumbing next year (about 10 additional seats). She said the MVP program attendance and grades are strong and that shop-week engagement is high.

The presentations noted outreach and recognition items: 47 Gardner High School students and six Gardner Academy students qualified as John and Abigail Adams scholars; principals asked to publicize recipients and arrange a photograph for the record. Superintendent Dr. Pellegrino congratulated the principals and praised the district's leadership and partnerships.

No formal motions or votes were taken on the improvement plans themselves at the Jan. 7 meeting. Committee members asked clarifying questions about dropout causes, attendance and family engagement; Anne Hurst praised the work on narrowing special-education disparities, and Robert Swartz asked about reasons students leave school — Balger and Imperato cited family circumstances, disengagement and mental-health needs.

Ending: School leaders told the committee they will continue to report progress; the committee did not adopt new policy or make budget decisions tied to the presentations at this meeting.