BPS notified Gardner Pilot Academy families that the school’s controversial grade reshuffle will be delayed and the principal was “on a leave of absence” effective immediately in a letter sent last week.

“Given Dr. Herman’s leave and the decisions families would have to make in the coming weeks, the district thought it best to postpone the change in grade configuration until the 2025-2026 school year,” BPS Chief of Schools and Accountability Drew Echelson wrote in the letter. “For next year, the Gardner Pilot Academy will continue to serve students in Grades 7 & 8 which means that current Grade 6 & 7 students can remain at the school.”

On Nov. 8, the district announced the Gardner Pilot Academy would be become a K-6 school, dropping grades 7 and 8 in the 2024-2025 school year. This move was worked on with Herman to with “the goal of better serving our students,” the district said.

Parents pushed back on the plan, with many reportedly speaking out at a Nov. 16 community meeting on the subject.

In a list of parent questions from the meeting, many probe into the fast  timeline for the change and decision making process, with comments like “it’s disheartening to witness a seeming lack of input from parents, students and teachers.”

BPS has also announced the Edison K-8 School and Haley Pilot School with drop seventh and eighth grade in the coming years as part of a broad district plan to minimize school transitions. Mather Elementary will add a grade 6.

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BPS did not give a reason or timeline for Herman’s leave of absence, leaving the issue up to parent speculation.

“While personnel matters are confidential, we are strongly committed to ensuring that the school continues progressing during this period, and will continue to provide updates to the community throughout this period as well,” Echelson wrote.