School Committee Fast-Tracks Two Student-Safety Policies

School Committee · Meeting of September 7, 2026

East Longmeadow School Committee fast-tracks seclusion, restraint and "Protect Act" policies at its first meeting in the new high school. The committee voted 4-0 on both items, with member Aimee Dalenta absent, after Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Heather Brown said the DESE-aligned seclusion and restraint policy is meant only as a last resort. Superintendent Joanne Menard presented her formal entry plan, saying her approach is to "listen, learn, and lead," and reported her school resource officer cost to the district is zero because the town funds the position.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Pamela Blair reported the district closed fiscal year 2026 with a $36.8 million budget, a $1,768 year-end balance, and $464,000 rolled over in school choice funds. The committee also approved an MIAA waiver letting eighth graders fill out girls' JV soccer after the roster came in four players short of the required 32, and heard that a state Attorney General grant will bring Yonder cellphone pouches to the high school and middle school as soon as January.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,704 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of September 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.