Gill-Montague School Committee approves three elementary school improvement plans unanimously

GILL — October 12, 2021 — Gill-Montague School Committee unanimously approved improvement plans for its three elementary schools and advanced seven MASC resolutions Tuesday. The committee voted to accept plans for Gill Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary and Sheffield Elementary, each organized around four shared goals: growth and achievement, grade-appropriate instruction, inclusion and equity, and family engagement. Business and Operations Director Joanne reported the district closed fiscal year 2021 with a roughly $25,000 general fund surplus and received just under $50,000 in rural school aid, with the fiscal year 2023 budget process set to begin this month. Director of Pupil Services Diane told the committee the district's special education identification rate now exceeds the state average, homeschooling enrollment has jumped to 75 students from a historical range of 40 to 50, and a board-certified behavior analyst has moved to part-time status, leaving a vacancy for an elementary school psychologist. Superintendent Brian Beck acknowledged supply-chain disruptions have forced last-minute cafeteria menu changes, including a Friday on which the high school ran out of mac and cheese before the final lunch period, and said he would meet the following day with the senior class to discuss a previously approved unified graduation gown color policy after acknowledging he had not consulted students first.