School Committee approves PROTECT Act policy, 7-0

School Committee · Meeting of September 15, 2026

Agawam School Committee unanimously advances a PROTECT Act policy while a logo dispute goes unresolved. The committee voted 7-0 to approve first and second readings of Policy ACL, implementing the state's new PROTECT Act, which Governor Maura Healey signed August 5, 2026, restricting civil immigration arrests at schools without a judicial warrant. Member Wendy Rua, reporting for the Policy Subcommittee, said "a yes vote on this policy does not imply that school committee members personally endorse... every individual provision." Separately, member A.J.

Christopher read a written complaint into the record objecting to the phasing out of Agawam's Indian head logo, writing "no clear answer has been provided to us, which is concerning," but his motion for a workshop died for lack of a second and was ruled out of order. The committee also approved June 23 minutes and warrants, including payroll warrants of $2,457,040.10 and $507,051.10, all by 7-0 roll-call votes. Superintendent Martin reported districtwide enrollment of 3,368 students, including 685 students with disabilities.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 1,991 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of September 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.