WARWICK — Spirits were high as the Warwick School Committee and superintendent of the new independent district were sworn in at their inaugural meeting this week.

The newly formed school district’s first committee meeting spanned two evenings, convening both Tuesday and Wednesday due to the bulk of work needing completion. Aside from the swearing in of personnel, the committee approved more than 30 policies relative to its formation and function. The board also affirmed its tuition agreement with the Pioneer Valley Regional School District, its transition agreement, its intermunicipal agreement with the Selectboard and its long-range educational plan with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

“It feels really exciting to have it all come together,” said Carole Learned-Miller, who was affirmed as the district’s founding superintendent on Tuesday. “I think having such a strong foundation of policies and community support is really going to help us get a great start.”

Warwick is forming a new school district after DESE approved the town’s withdrawal from the Pioneer Valley Regional School District in December 2022. This marked the final chapter of a multi-year effort to reestablish a school district in town, following dissatisfaction among Warwick residents regarding the town’s membership in the Pioneer district. Warwick’s departure from Pioneer does not go into effect until July 1, 2023. When it opens this fall, the district expects an initial 30-pupil student body spanning kindergarten through sixth grade.

Reflecting on the first meeting, Learned-Miller observed “a foundation for a strong start” in regard to the district personnel. Applause filled the Warwick Community School library meeting space as Alan Genovese was sworn in as committee chair, Diana Noble was sworn in as vice chair and Adam Holloway was sworn in as secretary. All three members were elected in uncontested races on Monday, with 24 votes for Holloway, 28 votes for Noble and 25 votes for Genovese. Twenty-eight of the town’s 652 total registered voters cast ballots, according to Town Clerk John Paganetti.

Among the committee members’ first duties were reading and approving a broad set of foundational policies. Policies involved defining executive session regulations, establishing the policy development process, regulating public comment periods, outlining committee duties and dozens of other topics.

Committee members also discussed the budget plan for the 2023-2024 school year during the second portion of their meeting. The district’s education budget grand total for fiscal year 2024 is projected at $759,299, while the FY25 projection is $827,479 and the FY26 projection is $942,009.

The next School Committee meeting will be held at Warwick Community School and via Zoom on Wednesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. There will then be a public hearing to discuss the district budget at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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