Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
The Leominster School Committee on March 2 approved the 2026–27 school calendar, authorized an $800,000 transfer from salaries to expenses to cover higher utility and building costs, declared obsolete equipment for disposal, accepted a $375.69 donation and approved middle‑school field trips to Washington, D.C.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
Principal Bevan Tapley and Assistant Principal Katie Gingras told the school committee Johnny Appleseed serves about 685 students (23% special education, 17% English learners, 55% with 504 plans), described PBIS and attendance incentives, school improvement goals for 2025–27, and flagged an outlier third‑grade cohort under study.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
During public comment Bob Greska urged the committee to make meeting notices and minutes easier to find online; committee members agreed staff should review posting procedures and report back next month.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
Principal John VanSallett told the committee the Center’s Innovation and Career Academy emphasizes project‑based learning and internships (freshmen 250 hours; other grades ~275 hours) and said EmpowerED credit‑recovery reported a 100% graduation rate for 2024–25 and improved average credits this year.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
At its Feb. 2 meeting the committee approved the minutes, reaffirmed legal counsel Mark (who is transferring firms), and the policy subcommittee approved a gifts-and-solicitation policy to be placed on the agenda for first reading; vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
Leominster Public Schools introduced a district attendance unit that blends a full-time officer with part-time staff, data tools and community referrals; officials said chronic absenteeism is about 10% and described early successes including a student who reversed poor attendance.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
District leadership described professional learning communities and a tight data cycle using exit tickets and assessments to adjust instruction; trustees questioned why classroom gains are not always reflected in MCAS scores and sought measurable, time-bound outcomes.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
Committee members were told the Massachusetts DESE will require meetings involving collaboratives be submitted in the minutes; members also received an update that the new athletic field drainage and parking are complete, turf installation will happen in spring, and concerns were raised about potholes on the driveway off Exchange Street.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
Beth Wiggum, representing the Leominster Special Education Parent Advisory Council, told the Lewiston School Committee the council is available under Massachusetts statute to advise the district on education and safety issues for students with disabilities and offered to share quarterly parent survey results.
Massachusetts / School Boards / Leominster Public Schools
At its organizational meeting the Lewiston School Committee opened nominations for chair (Dean Nazarella and Eileen Griffin), nominated Josh Bullridge for vice chair and Aileen for secretary, reviewed auditors and subcommittee membership; the transcript records nominations but does not provide detailed vote tallies.