State closes ELHS chemical spill case

School Committee · Meeting of October 5, 2026

East Longmeadow schools close a state safety case and press ahead on pool-use rules. Superintendent Joanne Menard told the School Committee the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards closed its investigation into a chemical spill at the high school after the district filed a corrective-action report September 30, and the district is forming a quarterly joint labor-management safety committee. Town Manager Tom Christensen, Recreation Director Donna Prather and Aquatics Director Max Langford briefed members on a draft agreement to govern the new natatorium, opening in November, after a member pressed for data on how many students actually use pool time, warning the "regularly used" pledge made to voters could be undercut by a doctor's-note opt-out.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Pamela Blair said bids are due October 26 for roughly 73 feet of new bleachers at the turf field, funded by a $150,000 grant. Members also voted 3-0, with one abstention each, to approve September 8 and September 21 minutes, and authorized delegate Kerri Jarzabski to vote at the November 6 MASC/MASS Delegate Assembly.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 2,340 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.