Gill-Montague School Committee Approves Emergency Warrant Signing, Union Agreements

GILL — April 14, 2020 — Gill-Montague School Committee approves $1.16 million warrant and union agreements as pandemic closures extend. Meeting virtually on April 14, the committee unanimously approved Warrant No. 3043 totaling $1,161,395.01 and ratified two memoranda of agreement — one with the Gill-Montague Teachers Association Units A and C and one with UFCW Local 1459 covering food service, custodial, and maintenance workers. Superintendent Michael Sullivan outlined a revised remote learning plan built around grade-band scheduling, a one-course-per-day high school model borrowed from Northampton, and a credit/no-credit grading system, while reporting that a shipment of 100 Chromebooks is en route to support a third distribution wave. The committee voted unanimously to name Sullivan as sole warrant signatory under the state's emergency provision, with Vice Chair Heather Katsutis designated as alternate. Member Michael Vetere read a lengthy prepared statement urging the district to consider canceling the remainder of the school year, citing research on the cumulative cost of missed instruction days, but withdrew his motion to schedule a dedicated meeting after colleagues noted that key decisions remain with the state.