Winchendon MA

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• King is In

  

  Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  For a list of Winchendon Public School staff, CLICK HERE.

  Winchendon Appoints King to be Interim Superintendent

  Charlotte King has been formally appointed the Interim Superintendent for Winchendon Public Schools on a vote of 4 to 1. Karen Kast McBride was the sole NO vote, stating that what the district needs is “a superintendent who actually has experience.” A further vote approved entering into negotiations relating to King’s pay.

  Citizens commented negatively to the School Committee at the beginning of the meeting about the process of selection. Listen to the discussions revolving around the decision from the School Committee meeting of July 17, 2025 in the full AUDIO presented here.

  McBride asked School Committee Chair Michael Barbaro a question which he said he could not answer because of an NDA: How much did it cost to get rid of Barbaro? McBride stated that it could be stated because they had a non disparagement agreement, not an NDA and she wanted to be transparent with the public. The amount was not disclosed at the meeting.

  Barbaro stated he is “truly confident in Charlotte King in her ability lead the district moving forward…she is caring, she is all in, and wants to do the best job that she can…and we will find out how good a leader she is for us.” King was the Director of Pupil Services from August 2023 to February 2025 before being appointed to Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Student Services.

  
  In final comments: Karen McBride said the district needs to do better with transparency and objected to the brevity of Barbaro’s letter announcing Gosselin’s departure. Greg Vine said he sincerely hoped the committee could pull together in the same direction and refrain from competing for who is the smartest in the room…Chair Barbaro said his statement was short due to legal advice. “I talked to our lawyer and he suggested the shorter the sweeter about why the Superintendent left.” Barbaro also stated, “sometimes things are not as they appear and I apologize for that.” There will be a meeting on July 31^st at which Charlotte King will bring forth some items.

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• Superintendent Shuffle

  

  Winchendon Superintendent of Schools Shuffle

  The Town of Winchendon is once again looking for a School Superintendent as Marc Gosselin is not staying beyond his contract which ends this month. Gardner Magazine reached out via email to all 5 Winchendon School Committee members.

  Mike Barbaro – Chair, Email: Barbaro@winchendonk12.org, David Iannaccone – Vice Chair, Email: Iannaccone@winchendonk12.org, Greg Vine – Email: gvine@winchendonk12.org , Karen Kast-McBride, Email: kkast-mcbride@winchendonk12.org, Tara Teixeira – Email: tteixeira@winchendonk12.org.

  We requested an interview with any or all of the members. Gardner Magazine will let you know if/when we receive a response.

  Publisher’s Editorial Comment: Winchendon needs to hire an individual with the mindset of solving its Public School issues – an individual who understands the difficult task and has the energy, acumen, and steadfastness to rise above the local politics and gain the confidence of not only the public, but also all the employees of Winchendon Public Schools.

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• Winchendon 6-28-25

  

  
  Winchendon Food Truck Festival and Battle of the Bands

  The Winchendon Food Truck Festival and Battle of the Bands is Saturday, June 28, 2025 from noon to 7pm at GAR Park, 52 Murdock Avenue, Winchendon MA

  Food Truck Favorites Include: The Taco Dude • Mac Daddy • Berrysweets • Birds Nest Italian Street Food • Potato Potato • Sauced and Tossed Chicken Co • Uncle Joey’s Cannoli • Travelin’ Bones BBQ • Sugarcane Hut • Nom Nom Hut • Moe’s Sweet Eats • Eggroll Cafe Food Truck • Breez Freez • Dogfather • Bono Appetit • Easy Street Tacos

  Battle of the Bands Noon: The Faceless Hobos featuring Pat Townsend and Dave Romanowski, a duo who began playing together in 2017. 1:15pm: Sheep Dip with James Erikson, Jacqi Brown and Diane Wood 2:45pm: Rock 201 – a high energy classic rock band that has been rocking since 1998. 4:15pm – 5 piece party-cover band Plead the 5^th 5:45pm: Down Daizy – 80’s music that Rocks! With Bill Leger on guitar, Jay Sharron on drums, Joe Hazelwood – bass and Jamie Gauthier with those 80s vocals!

  The Town of Winchendon says: “Bring your appetite, your friends, and your dancing shoes — this is one summer celebration you won’t want to miss! FREE admission • Live entertainment • Family fun all day long!” For more about upcoming events in Winchendon, here is the Winchendon Parks and Recreation web page, CLICK HERE.

  Upcoming: Gardner Food Truck Festival is Saturday, July 12th.

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• Hotline 6-21-25

  

  A Busy Hotline Radio Show on WGAW

  Listen to the entire show on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  The WGAW Hotline Radio Show of June 21, 2025 featured an ABC Report on the Karen Read trial and not guilty verdict. Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke about the June 21st Gardner Festival, Happy Birthday Celebration, and Fireworks. The Mayor provided details on the Greenwood Pool opening and spoke of upcoming paving in the City. Hotline featured the Pastor of the Mission Grace Church. Winchendon Town Manager Bill McKinney provided an update on his community. State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik spoke about funding received due to the “millionaire’s tax.” The AUDIO of the Firefighters Memorial Ceremony was played. Firefighters were remembered and current firefighters were honored. A Firefighters Commentary with Werner Poegel.

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• School Report

  

  Gardner Magazine Reports on Schools – Student Attendance, Teacher Retention, and Dropout Rates

  Gardner Magazine utilized data from the Massachusetts Department of Education for this report and the associated “Deep Dive” podcasts. View the data yourself right here, CLICK for WEBSITE.

  Gardner Magazine looked in to what percentage of students are attending school, what percentage of teachers are being retained, and the dropout rates. Districts were compared across the State of Masaschusetts. The Town of Winchendon stood out with one of the lowest attendance rates in the area, one of the lowest teacher retention rates in the area, and one of the higher dropout rates in the state of Massachusetts.

  Student Attendance: Best student attendance in the state was the MA Academy for Math and Science at 98.6%. Gardner was at 92.4%. The Town of Winchendon was at 89.9%. Ashburnham – Westminster 94.9, Athol – Royalston 91.9, Gardner 92.4, Monty-Tech 96.2, Narragansett 94.1, Orange 94.2, Petersham 93.6, Quabbin 93.8, Wachusett 94.3, Warwick 94.3, Winchendon 89.9 Other communites: Boston: 90.5, Fitchburg: 90.9, Greenfield 91.9, Leominster 93.2, Springfield 90.8, and Worcester 91.9 . Listen to the Attendance Data Deep Dive on any device, CLICK PLAY

  Teacher Retention: With data last updated on April 3, 2025: Retention rates in the area were – Gardner 84%, Ashburnham – Westminster 90%, Athol – Royalston 79.2%, Boston 83.8%, Fitchburg 81.8%, Leominster 86.9%, Monty-Tech 90.8%, Narragansett 94.2%, Orange 85.7%, Quabbin 89.5%, Springfield 81.9%, Wachusett 94.3%, Winchendon 68.5%. Listen to the MA Teacher Retention Deep Dive on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Dropout Rates: Winchendon had one of the higher dropout rates at 7.5%, Lawrence was higher at 7.8%. Gardner – 2.9%, Ashburnham – Westminster- 3%, Athol – Royalston – 2.9%, Narragansett – 3.2%, Monty-Tech – .2%. Leominster 1.2%, Fitchburg 2.1%, Boston 4.5%, Quabbin 3%, Many Massachusetts cities and towns had dropout percentages of 0 or under 1%. Listen to the MA Dropout Rates Deep Dive on any device, CLICK PLAY.

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• Winchendon 5-19-25

  

  Winchendon Town Meeting Held – Voters Approve Budget

  The Fiscal 2026 Town Budget was approved at the Winchendon Town Meeting held on May 19, 2025. Included in the nearly $19.3 million approved is the $1.9 million override previously approved at the May 5^th town election. At that time, the override was approved by a margin of just 12 votes. 8 articles involving FREE CASH spending were pushed to the fall Town meeting by which time the State of Massachusetts is expected to have certified the FREE CASH amount. In addition, the just over $18 million school budget was also approved. COMPLETE TOWN MEETING WARRANT, click here.

  As a result of the Town Meeting vote, services will continue at the library, senior center, and other areas which would have been impacted had the $1.9 million override not been approved. A motion had been made during the meeting to remove the $1.9 million override. Discussion arose because that motion would not apportion the override properly among the municipal and school budgets. Town counsel advised that voters would need to review each item line by line if the budget were not approved in its entirety. Discussion continued on both sides of the issue. After nearly 2 hours 22 minutes in to the Town Meeting, article 11 came to a vote and the budget with the $1.9 million override passed 61% to 39%, a much larger margin than the 12 votes at the Town election about 2 weeks earlier.

  The town meeting had a large turnout, nearly filling the gym in which it was held. Community Connector provided free transportation to the Town Meeting and Murdock High School students had offered free babysitting to allow families to attend. At the meeting, a display showed text of what the speakers were saying, in real time.

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• Winchendon ATM 5-19-25

  

  Winchendon Holding Town Meeting on May 19, 2025

  The Town of Winchendon voters narrowly approved an override of $1.9 million at the annual town election. Article 11 funds the Town operating budget with just under $19.3 million for fiscal year 2026 and includes the previously approved override. View complete Meeting warrant here.

  Date/Time: May 19, 2025 7pm Location: Murdock Middle High School, 3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon.

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• Winchendon Election 5-5-25

  

  Results of Winchendon Election – $1.9 million override narrowly passes

  Winchendon Residents cast their ballots. Question 1: $1.9 million override passed with 896 YES votes and 884 NO votes. Question 2: $2.9 million override failed with 645 YES votes and 1105 NO votes. Further action on the budget will be taken at the upcoming May 19th town meeting.

  Other votes: Moderator: Glenn LaRochelle 926, Rick Ward 379. —- Board of Selectmen 3 YR. (Top 2 win) Audrey LaBrie 716, Tiffany Frances Newton 625, Yvonne Senecal 590, and Christine Haslam – Giovannucci 521. —- School Committee 1YR (Vote for 1) Tara N Teixeia 983, Michael Gaynor 101 —Board of Health 3 YR Glenn LaRochelle 1108, Barbara Zisk 49 — COMPLETE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS CLICK HERE

  Next step: Annual Town Meeting is May 19, 2025

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• Winchendon 4-30-25

  

  Complete information about the Winchendon budget and the proposed override is available on the Town of Winchendon website, CLICK HERE.

  Interview with Town Manager Bill McKinney on the Winchendon Budget challenges and the override. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Open Letter from Winchendon Library Director, CLICK for article

  Publisher Werner Poegel commentary on the Winchendon Override. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Complete Override Editorial Article, CLICK HERE.

  Important April Winchendon Meetings

  Gardner Magazine is providing the AUDIO to several important April meetings in Winchendon Massachusetts. The School Committee of April 17^th, the Candidates Night at Beal’s Memorial Library, the Select Board Meeting of April 28^th, and the Joint Select Board – Finance Meeting of April 29^th. Winchendon citizens will vote on May 5^th regarding the proposed override, so more information on any of the local issues is helpful to voters.

  Editorial Endorsement of Override

  Gardner Magazine has endorsed the $2.9million override because of a very simple truth: Inflation over the past few years has made expenses rise much faster than revenue. With Prop 2 ½ artificially limiting taxes even in times of urgent need, the override is what is needed to keep Winchendon on a positive track. Cost to taxpayers is an estimated additional $65 per month for the average home. Cost to taxpayers of not approving the override is possible loss of $50,000 in value to average home in the next 5 years due to diminished geographic desirability risks, (more than 10 times the proposed investment). Some would say the $50k loss is overestimated, others might say it might be more.

  Listen to any of the meetings on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  

  Real World Financial Implications of Override

  The $1.9 million override would result in a $24 per month increase in a $200k home to a $109 per month increase on a $900k home. The $2.9 million override would result in a $37 per month increase on a $200k home to a $167 increase on a $900k home. CLICK IMAGE for larger view.

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• McKinney 4-28-25

  

  Bill McKinney on Running Winchendon Lean – Prop 2/12 Not Keeping Up with Inflation

  Winchendon’s Town Manager has taken a sharp pencil to Winchendon’s budget and informed the community last year that the upcoming budget would need an override. Coming up in Winchendon this year is a vote at the ballot box on May 5^th in which voters can choose a $1.9 million or $2.9 million override figure. The larger figure represents about a $65 per month increase to the average property owner. If either item is approved, a subsequent Town Meeting vote will still be held on which budget to approve for Fiscal year 2026. To clear up any misconceptions and to emphasize that this is an actual need, not a want, we spoke with Bill McKinney on April 28, 2025. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  McKinney urged voters to ignore the misinformation that’s out there and get the facts.

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