THE GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Our mission is for all students to be successful, engaged, lifelong learners.
School Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Gloucester High School Library and via Zoom
32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA 01930
6:00 p.m.
Members Present
- Kathleen Clancy, Chairperson
- William Melvin, Vice Chairperson (Arrived at 6:26 pm)
- Heather Dagle
- Andrea Liacos
- Paul Lundberg, Mayor (via Zoom)
- Melissa Teixeira Prince
Administration Present
- Amy Pasquarello, Superintendent
- Catherine Tucker, Assistant Superintendent
Also Present
- Cyndy Taymore (Superintendent Pasquarello's Mentor and Coach)
Members Absent
- Laura Wiessen, Secretary
This meeting was conducted with the School Committee in person and the public participating in person and remotely via Zoom.
I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairperson Clancy called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and stated the mission of the Gloucester Public Schools.
Effective August 16, 2023, the public is welcome to attend meetings in person. Alternatively, the public may attend through the Zoom link provided on the agenda. The meeting notice will reflect if the meeting is via Zoom only. As the recent amendments to the Open Meeting Law allow, the School Committee may continue to hold meetings remotely. Please note the in-person meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the remote connection. If you are calling in on a phone, you can press Star 9 (*9) to request to speak. If you are watching on a computer or device, there is a "raise hand" button that you can tap or press to request to speak. Please use either of these options during Oral Communications to be recognized to speak.
See below link to the meeting recording:
https://gloucester-ma-gov.zoom.us/rec/share/8jEPXorD99oY-keVQ9l6Xdr3FmRVWHTwPxhPjgwQzocHq9zBSXT0CGIeam7_MBaJ.3gNio5qiOEhhj0-m
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG/MOMENT OF SILENCE
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS — None
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON — None
V. RECOGNITIONS — None
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of Warrants
C. Approval of Transfers
D. Approval of Donation
- To accept a donation of $64.43 to Gloucester High School from FY 2026 Ohiopyle Prints - Spirit Wear Commission.
On a motion by Ms. Prince, seconded by Ms. Dagle, it was unanimously
VOTED: By Roll Call Vote:
- Ms. Dagle - Yes
- Chairperson Clancy - Yes
- Ms. Liacos - Yes
- Mayor Lundberg - Yes
- Ms. Prince - Yes
To approve the consent agenda as noted above.
VII. DELIBERATIONS ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES/SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
A. Superintendent's Report
This was Amy Pasquarello's first meeting as Superintendent. She presented and the committee discussed a slideshow of her report "Everyday Matters. Everybody Belongs. Everybody Learns." She informed the committee about the following things that she has been doing since July as Superintendent:
- The 2026 Paul J. Andrews Summer Executive Institute - She attended with Dr. Tucker
- Listen and Learn Update
- Summer Leadership Meetings
- Community Resource Fair
- Opening Day
Superintendent Pasquarello welcomed Dr. Catherine Tucker who spoke about the following things that she has been doing since July as Assistant Superintendent:
- Math and Literacy Coach Meetings
- Visits to Summer Learning Program
- Attended Middle School Play
- Working with District Leadership
- Assisted Principals with Interviews
- Planning New Staff Orientation and Mentorship Program
B. Superintendent Entry Plan
Superintendent Pasquarello presented and the committee discussed a slideshow of her Entry Plan. She also introduced her mentor and coach, Cyndy Taymore, whom she will be working with for the next three years. Ms. Taymore spoke about her work with Superintendent Pasquarello and answered questions of the committee.
Entry Plan: Superintendent Pasquarello stated that her entry plan outlines a phased approach for the transition to Superintendent, outlining the following three phases:
Phase 1 - Listen and Learn (July to November 2026)
Phase 2 - Synthesize and Validate (November 2026 to January 2027)
Phase 3 - Act and Communicate (January - Ongoing, 2027)
Superintendent Pasquarello also spoke about maintaining momentum during her transition while keeping the District's four strategic priorities, as follows:
- Student Belonging and Engagement
- Instructional Strenth
- SEL and Mental Health
- Special Education Excellence
C. Superintendent Goals for the School Year 2026-2027
Superintendent Pasquarello presented and the committee discussed a slideshow of her Goals for the School Year 2026-2027, as follows:
Goal 1 - Effective Entry and Direction Setting
Goal 2 - Maintaining Momentum during the Transition
Goal 3 - New Superintendent Induction Program
See below link to the meeting recording/presentation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NiwH47NdnsfeD7C5TMxdMh2RnrnXfYRX/view
VIII. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS — None
IX. ACTION
A. Vote for the Superintendent to be on the Northshore Education Consortium Board
On a motion by Ms. Liacos, seconded by Ms. Prince, it was unanimously
VOTED: By Roll Call Vote:
- Ms. Dagle - Yes
- Chairperson Clancy - Yes
- Ms. Liacos - Yes
- Mayor Lundberg - Yes
- Ms. Melvin
- Ms. Prince - Yes
To approve the Superintendent to be on the Northshore Education Consortium Board.
B. Acceptance of Grant
- FY27 FC 310 McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Grant of $25,000.
On a motion by Chairperson Clancy, seconded by Ms. Dagle, it was unanimously
VOTED: By Roll Call Vote:
- Ms. Dagle - Yes
- Chairperson Clancy - Yes
- Ms. Liacos - Yes
- Mayor Lundberg - Yes
- Ms. Melvin
- Ms. Prince - Yes
To approve the FY27 FC 310 McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Grant of $25,000.
-
GHS FY 27 FC 400 Perkins - Strengthening Career and Technical Education Grant of $36,760.
-
O'Maley FY27 FC 646 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant of $111,331.
On a motion by Chairperson Clancy seconded by Ms. Liacos, it was unanimously
VOTED: By Roll Call Vote:
- Ms. Dagle - Yes
- Chairperson Clancy - Yes
- Ms. Liacos - Yes
- Mayor Lundberg - Yes
- Ms. Melvin
- Ms. Prince - Yes
To approve the GHS FY 27 FC 400 Perkins - Strengthening Career and Technical Education Grant of $36,760 and to approve the O'Maley FY27 FC 646 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant of $111,331.
X. DISCUSSION/OTHER COMMUNICATION/OLD AND NEW BUSINESS — None
XI. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Melvin, seconded by Ms. Liacos, it was unanimously
VOTED: By Roll Call Vote:
- Ms. Dagle - Yes
- Chairperson Clancy - Yes
- Ms. Liacos - Yes
- Mayor Lundberg - Yes
- Ms. Melvin
- Ms. Prince - Yes
To adjourn the School Committee Meeting of August 12, 2026, at 7:08 pm.
All reference documents and reports are filed in the Superintendent's Office. A zoom recording of this meeting is available on the Gloucester Schools website (Also linked in these minutes).
Stephanie Delisi
Recording Secretary