Gill-Montague School Committee reorganizes, elects Kaufman chair and Tomb vice chair

GILL — May 23, 2023 — Gill-Montague Regional School District School Committee reorganized Tuesday, unanimously electing Jane Kaufman as chair and Bill Tomb as vice chair for the new term. The committee also reappointed John Irminger as secretary, Cynthia Caparazo as treasurer, and Heather Ketsoulis as assistant treasurer, approving a full slate of subcommittee assignments in a single vote. The meeting's sharpest moment came during public comment, when Heidi Schmidt, co-president of the Gill-Montague Education Association, told the committee that teachers' salaries are "among the lowest in the state" and that five bargaining sessions since a contract rejection in October have produced no improvement over the district's original salary offer. The committee accepted a class of 2023 donation of two rose trees for the high school vestibule, approved two accounts payable warrants totaling $54,631.59, and heard from Superintendent Brian Beck that the district is exploring stipends for school committee members modeled on Montague town meeting warrant language — a proposal that would require town meeting approval.