Dr. Imperato, who presented Gardner Academy’s school-improvement plan, told the school committee on Monday that many academy students face high needs including housing instability and work obligations and that staff are prioritizing predictable, trauma-informed supports to boost graduation prospects.

The presentation included specific student-data figures the presenter said reflect the current academy population: “44 percent of our students have a formal mental health diagnosis, 46 percent have a known substance use history, 44 percent are students with disabilities, 26 percent are DCF involved, and 100 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch.” Dr. Imperato said those figures shape the district’s interventions.

To respond, Dr. Imperato described schoolwide routines (consistent block schedules, four schoolwide expectations), a “take 5” quiet space, weekly community circles, Friday advisors, and a multi-tiered system of supports. She described discipline reforms tied to restorative practices and said office discipline referrals are down, an indicator the district views as evidence of program effectiveness. “We have their backs,” she said of staff support for students.

The presentation also outlined partnerships and programs intended to broaden post‑graduation options: work with the state DESE liaison on career and technical education, a grant with Growing Places to provide food resources and possible ServSafe certification next semester, MassHire internships, and a new MassAbilities partnership to provide job‑skill instruction for students with disabilities.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about what “trauma‑informed” practices mean in day‑to‑day operations and whether food‑pantry supports exist for students who lack basic necessities. Dr. Imperato and Superintendent Dr. Pellegrino said the district has shifted away from in‑building pantries to community referrals (for example, Growing Places deliveries) to reduce stigma and improve reach.

The chair said the school improvement plan was presented for information and will be placed on the agenda for a formal vote at the committee’s next meeting to allow members time to review the materials.

Next step: the committee will vote on the plan at its next meeting; no final action was taken Monday.