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Palmer School Committee approves handbook, renews school physician contract and creates special education stabilization fund
Summary
The committee unanimously approved renewal of Valley Medical Group as school physician for 2025-26, adopted the 2025-2026 Student/Guardian Handbook, established a Special Education Stabilization Fund (details on interest-bearing status not specified), and authorized disposal of obsolete items under Chapter 20B.
At its Aug. 20, 2025 meeting in the high school library, the Palmer School Committee approved several consent and action items intended to set operations for the coming school year.
The committee unanimously approved the renewal of Valley Medical Group as the district’s provider of School Physician services for the 2025–2026 school year. Mr. Anthony Braden moved and Ms. Sandra Noonan seconded the motion, which carried 5–0.
The committee also voted 5–0 to adopt the 2025–2026 Student/Guardian Handbook after a presentation by Superintendent Matthew Francis, Mrs. Riopel and Mrs. North. On the handbook, Ms. Noonan asked specifically how profane language is handled; Mrs. North said language is unacceptable and students would face consequences, and that changes would be shared with families via the district newsletter with changed pages highlighted for easier review.
Superintendent Francis presented the district’s core values and mission, stating, "Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower – creating a supportive environment where students learn, grow, and thrive through shared values of respect, kindness, and community." The committee said it looks forward to implementing those values in the coming year.
The School Committee also voted unanimously to establish a Special Education Stabilization Fund. During discussion Mr. Joseph Nompleggi asked whether the fund would be interest-bearing; Superintendent Francis said he did not believe it would be but was not 100% certain of the account details. That detail was not resolved in the meeting.
Finally, the committee declared certain items with estimated value under $5,000 as surplus and directed the superintendent to dispose of them in accordance with Chapter 20B requirements; the motion passed 5–0.
Committee members reviewed preliminary budget figures: districtwide spending of $155,091 of $6,624,209 (2.3%); OMP spending of $25,405 of $5,977,410 (0.4%) including $1,700 of encumbrances; and PHS spending of $45,987 of $6,192,475 (0.7%) including $2,111 of encumbrances. The committee adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
