Gardner School Committee Meeting Oct 13, 2026

The Gardner School Committee met on October 14, 2026, according to the meeting metadata (the title lists October 13). Procurement and facilities matters included a retroactive approval request for Gardner High School’s C-wing locker-room renovation, which the committee approved. The project estimate was described as rising from $2 million to $3 million and then $3.4 million; a separate $2,000 change order for floor leveling was under review by Tighe & Bond. The finance report also noted two plumbing quotes totaling just under $100,000 for reconstructing second-floor bathrooms at the high school, and approximately $100,000 in work to repair GES air handlers. The finance subcommittee endorsed the capital-improvement and school-project lists with an amendment classifying the school facilities garage addition as a Section 40 project. A separate capital-project-list item was held for more review. The committee also approved annual student activity account authorizations; no amounts were stated for those accounts.

Members discussed the proposed city process for Section 40 school-building projects, including how to distinguish repairs from alterations and how to coordinate project updates and approvals. The superintendent presented updated project-reporting forms, and the chair said a request for legal guidance was pending. The discussion did not result in a vote on the proposed ordinance. The committee also reviewed policies for future consideration, including a proposed policy on interactions with law-enforcement officers conducting civil enforcement; it was scheduled for a later vote. The chair reported that sales of former school buildings had been finalized following public bidding, with proceeds restricted by state law to debt repayment or certain capital projects.