Gill-Montague School Committee Approves Modified Winter Sports Plan for January

GILL -- November 24, 2020, Gill-Montague School Committee votes 5-1 to approve a modified winter sports season beginning January 4, 2021. Athletic Director Adam Graves presented the plan, which covers basketball, swimming and a co-op hockey arrangement under Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and District One guidelines, with practices starting January 4 and competition around January 14. Fans will likely be barred from all events, with games live-streamed as an alternative. The committee also unanimously set Erving tuition rates at $11,948 for regular education and $40,594 for special education students, approved a $54,341 budget transfer to fund an instructional technology position, and adopted updated life-threatening allergy policy JLCEA. Business Manager Joanne Testa warned that fiscal year 2022 revenues are projected at only roughly $50,000 above the current year, with circuit breaker reimbursement down an estimated $100,000 and school choice revolving funds also declining. Superintendent Brian Beck announced the district will enter mediation with the Gill-Montague Education Association after months of failed reopening negotiations.