School Committee

THE GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Our mission is for all students to be successful, engaged, lifelong learners.

School Committee Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Gloucester High School Library and via Zoom 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA 01930 6:00 p.m.

Members Present - Kathleen Clancy, Chairperson - William Melvin, Vice Chairperson - Laura Wiessen, Secretary - Andrea Liacos - Melissa Teixeira Prince

Administration Present - Amy Pasquarello, Superintendent - Dr. Catherine Tucker, Assistant Superintendent - Andrea Perella, Preschool Director

Members Absent - Heather Dagle - Paul Lundberg, Mayor

This meeting was conducted with the School Committee in person and the public participating in person and remotely via Zoom.

I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairperson Clancy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and stated the mission of the Gloucester Public Schools.

Effective August 16, 2023, the public is welcome to attend meetings in person. Alternatively, the public may attend through the Zoom link provided on the agenda. The meeting notice will reflect if the meeting is via Zoom only. As the recent amendments to the Open Meeting Law allow, the School Committee may continue to hold meetings remotely. Please note the in-person meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the remote connection. If you are calling in on a phone, you can press Star 9 (*9) to request to speak. If you are watching on a computer or device, there is a "raise hand" button that you can tap or press to request to speak. Please use either of these options during Oral Communications to be recognized to speak.

See below link to the meeting recording: https://gloucester-ma-gov.zoom.us/rec/share/deTM2G1Cj1XO0WgL24MUJ5Lnlf7FMiQJYNFnIl87mAdvQLvkhvfhw16jloD7UsKB.drPcVihTllZhoScu

II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG/MOMENT OF SILENCE

III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - Ms. Susanna Altenburger, Principal of Phil Bolger and Friends, Inc. was present and handed out a Marine Technical School Proposal to the School Committee to review and contact her with questions.

IV. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON — None

V. RECOGNITIONS - Ms. Liacos congratulated the Girls' volleyball team and for having their first ever home game. - Ms. Prince recognized the first day of school presentation and program for staff, stating that it was phenomenal, especially recognizing the people that work in the district. She thanked Superintendent Pasquarello for a great job planning the program. - Chairperson Clancy stated that she attended a breakfast event at Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, and recognized its wonderful program - students talked about their experiences and the work they do.

VI. GHS Student Advisory Council — School Committee welcomed new student representatives Mackayla Allen, President, and Olivia Madruga, Vice President.

VII. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1. School Committee Minutes of June 24, 2026 2. School Committee Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2026

B. Approval of Warrants

C. Approval of Transfers

D. Approval of Donation

E. Acceptance of Gifts 1. Approval of $400 from Susanne Natti for the Robert Natti Story Corner in memory of her father Robert Natti.

On a motion by Ms. Prince, seconded by Ms. Wiessen, it was unanimously

VOTED: To approve the consent agenda as noted above.

VIII. DELIBERATIONS ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES/SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

A. Superintendent's Report

B. Opening of School Update

Superintendent Pasquarello presented and the committee discussed a slideshow of her report "Everyday Matters. Everybody Belongs. Everybody Learns." She gave an update on the following: - New staff orientation led by Dr. Tucker - Opening Day - Thank you to staff that got school ready to open - Expectations and opening day remarks by Mayor Lundberg, Chairperson Clancy, GTA President Rachel Rex, and Superintendent Pasquarello - Celebrated staff who have made an impact on students. Superintendent Pasquarello stated that there is a short video created by Teacher Shaun Goulart on the school website of students thanking teachers - New working group Deepening Student Learning and Improving Student Achievement with its first meeting on September 24th. Superintendent Pasquarello welcomed any interested community member to join this group by sending a letter or email to bholmes@gloucesterschools.com

See below link to recorded presentation https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F3zv6hwAm_LlKslaNgJMFwiUhGc4gtf1/view

C. Preschool Handbook — Andrea Perella, Preschool Director

Superintendent Pasquarello welcomed Ms. Perella. Ms. Perella handed out and presented the first-ever draft of the Preschool "Family Handbook" discussing program details, staff qualifications, and policies. The committee provided feedback and minor changes with a vote taken under Action.

See below link to the meeting recording/presentation: https://gloucester-ma-gov.zoom.us/rec/share/deTM2G1Cj1XO0WgL24MUJ5Lnlf7FMiQJYNFnIl87mAdvQLvkhvfhw16jloD7UsKB.drPcVihTllZhoScu

IX. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS — None

X. ACTION

A. Approval of the Preschool Handbook

On a motion by Chairperson Clancy seconded by Ms. Liacos, it was unanimously

VOTED: To approve the Preschool Handbook, with minor changes made by the committee.

D. Acceptance of Grants 1. O'Maley Middle School Science Center FY 27 FC2518 MA FairShare Earmark Grant of $60,000

On a motion by Chairperson Clancy, seconded by Ms. Wiessen, it was unanimously

VOTED: To approve the O'Maley Middle School Science Center FY 27 FC2518 MA FairShare Earmark Grant of $60,000.

2. FY 27 FC0240-IDEA-Part B (Federal/ENT) Grant of $998,031
3. FY 27 FC0262-IDEA-Part C (Federal/ENT) Grant of $28,774
4. FY 27 FC0305-Title I Part A (Federal/ENT) Grant of $639,855
5. FY 27 FC0140-Title II Part A (Federal/ENT) Grant of $89,250
6. FY 27 FC0180-Title III Part A (Federal/ENT) Grant of $45,674
7. FY 27 FC0309-Title IV Part A (Federal/ENT) Grant of $49,235

On a motion by Chairperson Clancy, seconded by Ms. Wiessen, it was unanimously

VOTED: To approve the above grants as noted.

XI. DISCUSSION/OTHER COMMUNICATION/OLD AND NEW BUSINESS — None - Ms. Prince made a request to the administration for a list of senior dates and events throughout the year. Superintendent Pasquarello will provide this information.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Ms. Wiessen, seconded by Ms. Liacos, it was unanimously

VOTED: To adjourn the School Committee Meeting of September 9, 2026, at 7:05 pm.

All reference documents and reports are filed in the Superintendent's Office. A zoom recording of this meeting is available on the Gloucester Schools website (Also linked in these minutes).

Stephanie Delisi Recording Secretary

Gloucester Public Schools

School Committee

Every Day Matters. Everybody Belongs. Everybody Learns.

GLOUCESTER SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

WEDNESDAY, September 9, 2026 6:00 pm Gloucester High School Library, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA 01930 Meetings are Recorded

The public is welcome to attend meetings in person or, alternatively, through the Zoom link provided on the agenda. The meeting notice will reflect if the meeting is via Zoom only. As Open Meeting Law allows, the School Committee may continue to hold meetings remotely. Please note the in-person meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the remote connection.

If you are calling in on a phone, you can press Star 9 (9) to request to speak. If you are watching on a computer or device, there is a "raise hand" button that you can tap or press to request to speak. Please use either of these options during oral communications to be recognized to speak.*

Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://gloucester-ma-gov.zoom.us/j/87378752865 Or Telephone: (309) 205-3325 or (312) 626-6799 Webinar ID: 873 7875 2865

Please visit http://gloucester-ma.gov/remote-public-meetings for instructions and guidance on how to join a remote meeting.

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER/STATEMENT OF MISSION/ROLL CALL

II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG

III. **ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

IV. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON

V. RECOGNITIONS

VI. GHS STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (Mackayla Allen, President; Olivia Madruga, Vice President; Ava Vidal, Treasurer; Julia Palk, Secretary)

Our Mission is for all Students to be Successful, Engaged, Lifelong Learners

VI. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1. School Committee Meeting Minutes of June 24, 2026 2. School Committee Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2026

B. *Approval of Warrants

C. Approval of Transfers

D. Acceptance of Donations

E. Acceptance of Gifts 1. Approval of $400.00 from Susanne Natti for the Robert Natti Story Corner in memory of her father Robert Natti. Christine Castle to distribute gift funds equally among the four elementary schools.

VII. DELIBERATIONS ON EDUCATION ISSUES/SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT A. Superintendent's Report B. Opening of School Update C. PreSchool Handbook

VIII. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS (Items listed under X. ACTION may be brought forward with reports)

IX. ACTION A. Approval of PreSchool Handbook B. Acceptance of Grants 1. O'Maley Middle School Science Center FY 27 FC2518 MA FairShare Earmark Grant of $60,000 2. FY 27 FC0240-IDEA-Part B (Federal/ENT) Grant of $998,031 3. FY 27 FC0262-IDEA-Part C (Federal/ENT) Grant of $28,774 4. FY 27 FC0305-Title I Part A (Federal/ENT) Grant of $639,855 5. FY 27 FC0140-Title II Part A (Federal/ENT) Grant of $89,250 6. FY 27 FC0180-Title III Part A (Federal/ENT) Grant of $45,674 7. FY 27 FC0309-Title IV Part A (Federal/ENT) Grant of $49,235

X. DISCUSSION/OTHER COMMUNICATION/OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

XI. ADJOURNMENT

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair, which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Action items may include motions that come out of sub-committees.

*Enclosures

**Oral Communication: The public shall have the opportunity at every regular School Committee meeting to be heard under Oral Communications. Oral Communications shall allow any resident who has a request or complaint of any nature relative to the School Committee business to appear before the School Committee, state their problem without debate, and the matter may be referred to the proper sub-committee.

For items that are on the agenda, members of the public may address the Committee with the permission of the Chair. Persons speaking under Oral Communications shall be limited to three (3) minutes each and shall submit a copy of their prepared communication to the Recording Secretary.

Calendar of School Committee and Subcommittee Meetings

School Committee – Meetings are at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. They will be held at the GHS Library, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road

• Wednesday, September 23, 2026
• Wednesday, October 14, 2026
• Wednesday, October 28, 2026
• Wednesday, November 4, 2026
• Wednesday, November 18, 2026
• Wednesday, December 2, 2026
• Wednesday, December 16, 2026
• Wednesday, January 13, 2027
• Wednesday, January 27, 2027
• Wednesday, February 24, 2027
• Wednesday, March 10, 2027
• Wednesday, March 24, 2027
• Wednesday, April 7, 2027
• Wednesday, April 28, 2027
• Wednesday, May 12, 2027
• Wednesday, May 26, 2027
• Wednesday, June 9, 2027
• Wednesday, June 23, 2027

Building & Finance Subcommittee – Meetings are at 5:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. They will be held at the GHS Library, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road

• Wednesday, September 16, 2026
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026
• *Monday, November 9, 2026
• Wednesday, December 9, 2026
• Wednesday, January 20, 2027
• Wednesday, February 3, 2027
• *Thursday, February 4, 2027
• Wednesday, February 10, 2027
• Wednesday, March 3, 2027
• Wednesday, April 14, 2027
• Wednesday, May 19, 2027
• Wednesday, June 16, 2027

Program Subcommittee – Meetings are at 5:00 pm, unless otherwise noted. They will be at GHS Library, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road

• Monday, September 14, 2026
• Wednesday, September 30, 2026
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026
• Wednesday, January 6, 2027
• Wednesday, March 31, 2027
• Wednesday, May 5, 2027

Personnel Subcommittee – Meetings will be held at the GHS Library, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road

*Meetings with an asterisk do not follow the usual weeks/days in the month