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SRO outlines comfort dog program; district introduces new food‑service director and recognizes student scholar
Summary
The school resource officer described a forthcoming English lab comfort/therapy dog pilot, the district introduced interim food‑service director Christine Pazulo, and the superintendent recognized senior Kellen as a superintendent scholar at the May 22 meeting.
The Blackstone‑Millville school committee on May 22 heard several non‑policy briefings: a school resource officer described plans to add a community comfort/therapy dog, the administration introduced Christine Pazulo as interim food‑service director, and the superintendent presented a superintendent scholar award to senior Kellen.
SRO Joe Nimick described the comfort‑dog pilot: temperament testing of multiple puppies, a 12‑week basic puppy command phase followed by public‑access training and a comfort‑therapy certification, and partnerships with local kennels and trainers. Nimick said students will have a role in naming the dog and that the public introduction is scheduled for early June; the program is intended to foster communication, de‑escalation and student trust.
Administration introduced Christine Pazulo, who said she has worked in schools in various roles, has been serving as the administrative assistant and has recently covered food‑service director duties. The superintendent and board thanked Pazulo and other staff for steadying program operations while recruitment continues.
The committee also recognized Kellen (superintendent scholar award) and noted broader ongoing work on school‑building planning with MSBA and several upcoming joint meetings on schematic design.
