Following most regular meetings, School Committee News will be sent to the GMRSD community to summarize the discussions and actions that took place, and provide a glimpse of what’s ahead. The newsletter is also posted on the School Committee’s webpage. Translation and accessibility options are available at the top of the page. Please reach out to school_committee@gmrsd.org with any comments or suggestions.
Meeting Spotlight
Recent School Committee Meeting: June 22, 2025 (agenda & video)
Superintendent Update
Dear Gill-Montague Schools Community,
I am filled with enthusiasm and proud to assume the role as Interim Superintendent for the Gill-Montague Regional School District and will work tirelessly for all students, staff and families.
As part of my transition/entry plan, I will conduct a Listening and Learning tour across our communities to learn more about the schools of the Gill-Montague Regional School District. My goal in undertaking the process is to learn more about the District and towns, to gain a deeper understanding of the current conditions of the system and to identify areas for further development and growth over the upcoming school year.
- Develop a clear understanding of the district’s mission, vision, values, and goals
- Understand the operational structure of the district, including roles, responsibilities, protocols, procedures, safety needs and traditions
- Build relationships with district staff, school leaders, and community partners
- Identify strengths and areas of pride within the district
- Identify areas of need and opportunities for improvement
- Establish myself as a learner and as a supportive, effective leader during this transitional phase
In the upcoming weeks, I will be interviewing students, staff, parents and a variety of community stakeholders. My main role will be to listen, observe, learn, be present and ask questions. The details of this plan can be found in the accompanying pages of this document.
The final report will provide an overview of my learnings and highlight both bright spots and areas that may benefit from additional attention. The insights gathered will help shape short-term goals and guide how we use our time and resources during this critical period of transition—particularly as the district begins the process of selecting a permanent superintendent.
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in this entry plan process.I look forward to serving you!
Tari N. Thomas, Interim Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent Report
▶️ Link to video section 16:56
- TF/GF principal resignation Shawn Rickan Resignation
- Summer Programming at both Sheffield and the middle/high school have been remarkable in their efforts on behalf of kids despite the heat and other minor challenges.
- Hiring of all sorts is occurring
- Administrators 2 of 4 filled
- Instructional Staff 3 of 8 filled
- Instructional support staff – 13 openings – none filled
- Support staff 1 of 4 filled
- 4 Day in-person workshop on Developmental Designs for Middle School by Origins will be held July 28-31 and is being funded by the Targeted Assistance Grant (TAG); 20 staff will be in attendance; This program addresses the academic and social needs of adolescents by establishing structures that foster holistic development. This approach enhances academic growth rather than limiting it due to the social and emotional realities of adolescence. Developmental Designs practices and principles cultivate equitable, trauma-informed classrooms, with the ultimate goal of fostering responsible independence in adolescents. The training emphasizes three key areas that significantly impact middle school students: fostering a supportive community of learners, delivering motivating instruction, and teaching social-emotional learning.
- Pre-K report card: Early Childhood Developmental Milestones and Report Card
Teachers worked all last year developing a well-matched reporting mechanism to illustrate students’ growth and progress; the hyperlink above provides you with a preview; please vote approval in August - Handbooks are being revised/edited right now for approval next month.
- Incredible paving this week occurred at Hillcrest thanks to the Town of Montague.
- The Professional Development Plans for 2025-2026 are being crafted for approval in August.
Business & Operations
▶️ Link to video section 23:27
- Report of the Director of Business and Operations
- Facilities Update
- Heath’s report on training, project updates by building and our on-going HVAC maintenance and repairs
- After School Program Update
- We had received $75K in funding from the Town of Montague for the after school program last year. In addition, the school committee allocated an additional $25K from the school choice revolving. Since we have approximately half of the funds remaining from the Town, they had told us we can use it to run the program in FY26. Kerry has big plans for the program this year… more to follow.
- We had received $75K in funding from the Town of Montague for the after school program last year. In addition, the school committee allocated an additional $25K from the school choice revolving. Since we have approximately half of the funds remaining from the Town, they had told us we can use it to run the program in FY26. Kerry has big plans for the program this year… more to follow.
Mark your calendar!
| ➜ Important District Events 8/10 – Class of 1980 Tour (11 AM at TFHS) 8/10 – Girls Softball State Championship Banquet at Scheutzen Verein (5 PM RSVP by 8/3) 8/21 – New Family Orientation (Tentatively at 5:30 PM in the Auditorium) 9/6 – 3rd Annual TFHS Sports Boosters Club Golf Tournament (9 AM at Thomas Memorial) Register 9/11 – GFMS/TFHS Picture Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 🐳 Discovery Center’s Whalemobile ➜ Friday, July 25 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm • free For ages 7—12. Whale watch naturalist, Cynde McInnis, offers a brief presentation about whales. Then 20 people at a time will see the Whale Mobile inflate and get to go inside! Registration required through this link or call 413-863-3214. Funded in part by a grant from the Greenfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Meet in the Great Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 🍿 Montague Parks & Recreation Movie in The Park – IF (PG; 2024) ➜ Friday, July 25 • 7:45p Showtime • Peskeompskut Park, Avenue A, Turners Falls A young girl who goes through a difficult experience begins to see everyone’s imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ⛵️ Franklin County Boat Club’s Christmas in July ➜ Saturday, July 26 • Festivities begin at 5:30 PM • Parade at Dusk • Fireworks to Follow Unity Park | Barton Cove | Turners Falls, MA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 😎 More Summer Events at RiverCulture.org & Positively GMRSD (FB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MEFA Summer Events The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) continues to hold events for students and families over the summer. Find out about upcoming webinars and watch past webinars on the MEFA webinars webpage. Upcoming online events include: ➜ Wednesday, July 30: FAFSA Festival from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Experts will be on hand to meet with participants individually and share ways to pay for college costs, talk about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and answer questions about next steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 🎒 Community Action Family Center BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY & BACKPACK DISTRIBUTION Free school supplies for the first 200 Franklin County students Kindergarten – 12th grade. Registration is required! ➜ Saturday August 10th 10:00am-12:00am during the Back 2 School Family Bash! ➜ Monday August 12th 2:00pm-5:30pm |
Upcoming School Committee and Subcommittee Meetings
Regular School Committee meetings are scheduled for 6:30pm on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month in room 228-M at Turners Falls High School. The next regularly scheduled School Committee meetings are:
- Tuesday, August 19
- a focus on handbook approvals, professional development approval, new hires and general school opening excitement!
- Tuesday, September 9
The School Committee will meet in a workshop format for a team retreat on
- Tuesday, August 12
from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the library of Turners Falls High School.
The calendar of all School Committee meetings is available in the left sidebar on the School Committee’s webpage. As each meeting approaches, the agenda and supporting documents are uploaded. Meeting agendas will always include the time, location, method of access, and (for regular meetings) details for public comment. Meeting recordings and meeting documents are also posted on the School Committee’s meeting materials page.