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Date: 6/27/2022
PALMER – The Palmer School Committee hosted their final meeting of the 2021-22 school year on June 15.
To reflect on the past year, Superintendent Patricia Gardner shared her 2022 State of the School address.
“As I reflect on the past [two and a half years], I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished in Palmer Public Schools,” said Gardner. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the district was “only a few Chromebooks short of being one to one with devices for all district employees and students,” she added.
Gardner said this was accomplished with intentional planning, budgeting and execution.
“Having continued to build a competent and sustainable fiduciary plan following my first two years in the district, we had the solid financial means to fund exactly what we needed, prior to ESSER (Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief) funds, which then became imperative,” said Gardner.
Looking back on the 2021-22 school year, especially the early months of school, Gardner said she is reminded of the “dysregulation.” She explained, “So many students had not experienced brick-and-mortar schools or their experience had been such that coming back to assemblance of normal was overwhelming for them.”
Gardner believes that this year pushed teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors and administrators beyond comfort. “However, because we have overcome so much as we close the books on this year, we are now in a position to be in school year 2022-23 on a much stronger foundation,” she said.
Gardner recognized all the teachers, staff, administrators and even the School Committee for their continued efforts.
Family Engagement Counselor
Gardner introduced the district’s new Family Engagement Counselor, Jordana O’Connell.
Gardner said O’Connell has already “hit the ground running” by speaking with several parents and planning for the next school year.
Of all the candidates who applied for the position, Gardner said O’Connell stood out for some of her previous work.
O’Connell shared that some of her responsibilities will include working with families to build upon the current communication efforts, continuing to assist families in engaging in their child’s education and supporting the families in any capacity necessary.
Job Postings
Finance Director Amanda Babinski said the district has been posting all anticipated openings for the next school year, to which both schools are actively looking to fill.
She added that they have already been interviewing and hiring as they enter summer.