School Committee Meeting — August 17, 2026

The Swansea School Committee met on August 17, 2026, for a regular business meeting. Following the call to order and roll call, Superintendent Scott Holcomb presented introductions of key administrative personnel. John Narodko was introduced as the new principal of Gardner Elementary School, and Alex Emard was welcomed as the new Special Education Coordinator, backfilling Rebecca Platt who is transitioning back into a high school counselor role. Holcomb and Director of Finance Joanne White also provided updates on school safety initiatives, noting the completion of the high school camera installation project, submission of a Department of Justice COPS grant for emergency radios, and the reissuing of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for district safety preparedness assessments, with proposals due September 8, 2026.

The committee also reviewed progress on the Joseph Case Junior High School building project. Superintendent Holcomb announced public tours and community informational sessions scheduled ahead of a crucial Special Town Meeting vote set for October 19, 2026, requiring a two-thirds majority to advance to the November ballot. In addition, Sean Scanlon delivered operational updates detailing the transition to Route Finder Plus transportation routing software and summarizing the summer 2026 Extended School Year (ESY) program, which served approximately 100 students across Case High School and Hoyle School with 40 staff members.

In action items, the committee unanimously voted to approve the expenditure of $110,359.15 from the Joseph Case High School Trust Fund to purchase a six-year Intro to Literature curriculum (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) for Joseph Case Junior High School grades 6 through 8, establishing districtwide literacy alignment. White confirmed the trust held approximately $640,000 as of June 30, remaining above required minimum reserves after the purchase and salary commitments. Under personnel, the committee acknowledged the pending retirement of Hoyle School nurse Leslie Stoltz, effective December 30, 2027, before voting unanimously to adjourn at 6:47 PM.

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