The Springfield School Committee on a roll call vote approved several routine but consequential items, including Central High School’s overnight college‑showcase trip to Washington, D.C., an appropriation of $12,942,450 from carryover and surplus funds and a four‑month extension of the district’s legal‑services contract.

Committee members voted to approve minutes from the special and regular meetings of Nov. 6, 2025, before taking up substantive business. Principal Tad Tokar and Central High staff attended the meeting to present the school’s request for an overnight field trip scheduled for Dec. 12–14, 2025. “It gives us such a great opportunity to communicate with parents on a daily basis,” Tokar said of a related attendance pilot but also noted his support for students’ participation in the DC trip. Mister Gonzales moved to approve the trip; the motion carried on a roll call vote.

Superintendent Dano presented a packet of recommended investments funded from carryover and surplus funds totaling $12,942,450, saying the items are aimed at student growth and academic development and that subcommittee review recommended moving the package to the full committee. Pat Roche, the district official responsible for carryover management, was singled out for the work. The committee approved the appropriation on a roll call vote.

On a separate motion, the committee approved a renewal/extension of the district’s legal services contract with Norris Murray Pelican LLC for a four‑month period, as recommended by the subcommittee. The extension was presented as temporary to allow further review by committee members; a subcommittee member clarified the subcommittee motion called for a four‑month extension before the full committee vote.

Adjournment came at the end of the agenda after committee reports and new business. Miss Gresham moved to adjourn; Attorney Murphy seconded. The clerk recorded roll call votes, and the meeting closed with Thanksgiving wishes from the chair.

Votes at a glance
• Approve special‑meeting minutes (11/06/2025): Motion carried by roll call.
• Approve regular meeting minutes (11/06/2025): Motion carried by roll call.
• Approve Central High overnight field trip to Washington, D.C. (12/12/2025–12/14/2025): Motion (Mister Gonzales) approved by roll call.
• Approve appropriation from carryover and surplus funds: $12,942,450 approved by roll call.
• Approve four‑month extension of Norris Murray Pelican LLC legal contract: Motion approved by roll call.
• Adjournment: Motion approved by roll call (Miss Bruno Naylor noted absent for final vote).