Gill-Montague School Committee rescinds COVID pool testing, approves new history textbooks

GILL — April 26, 2022 — Gill-Montague School Committee unanimously approved a new social studies textbook series and voted to end COVID-19 pool testing for student athletes, effective April 29. The committee voted 5-0 with two abstentions to rescind Policy JLCF, citing the end of the state emergency, the closure of regional PCR testing centers, and the fact that most peer districts had already dropped the requirement. It also approved the McGraw-Hill United States History and Geography series for high school American History courses, following a multi-teacher review that cited the book's differentiated reading levels and integrated coverage of underrepresented groups. Separately, Business Manager Joanne reported the district will receive roughly $175,000 in one-time state Chapter 70 makeup aid — the result of pandemic-driven enrollment losses nearly costing the district close to $1 million in formula funding — with no requirement to spend the funds this fiscal year. The committee tabled an MSBA application for the Montague elementary school building, with members agreeing a broader community building committee must be established first.