Gloucester School Committee Unanimously Reverts Title IX Policy to 2020 Federal Rules

GLOUCESTER -- February 26, 2025, Gloucester School Committee reverts Title IX policy, raises preschool tuition, and hears sustained warnings about educator departures. The committee voted unanimously Wednesday to roll back its Title IX sexual harassment policy to 2020 federal regulations after the current federal administration directed districts to abandon 2024 updates; Assistant Superintendent Amy Pasquarello explained the change restores a three-person investigative team model and narrows the definition of hostile environment. The board also unanimously approved a $20-per-month tuition increase for the district's preschool program, which serves 116 children on an approximately $2 million budget, effective next school year, adding a 10 percent sibling discount. Seven educators delivered pointed public comments warning of accelerating staff departures; Superintendent Ben Lummis confirmed the year-to-date toll stands at 11 teachers and 10 paraprofessionals, with special education positions the hardest hit. Chair Kathy Clancy read the committee's delayed summative evaluation of Lummis into the record, calling him "an intelligent, knowledgeable, dedicated and remarkable superintendent," while the committee flagged student growth percentiles as the district's central unmet challenge. The committee entered executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategy with the Massachusetts Nurses Association.