Leominster Schools Flag First Student Bus Strike Ahead of Fall Term
LEOMINSTER — Leominster Public Schools posted an urgent notice on its website this week alerting families to a strike involving First Student, the company that operates the district's school buses, though the district had not yet detailed how the walkout will affect transportation once the 2026-2027 school year begins.
TOWN HALL City Hall says the Downtown Public Parking Garage is now open, adding capacity for visitors and employees in the business district. Separately, the city is posting ongoing updates on the Monoosnoc Brook Stabilization Project, tracking progress on the multiple components of that infrastructure effort. The city has also circulated guidance for residents considering a home-based business, outlining the parameters those operations must follow.
SCHOOLS Beyond the First Student strike notice, Leominster Public Schools reopened its waitlist for tuition-based peer slots at Bennett Preschool for the 2026-2027 school year. Children must turn three years old by or before Aug. 31, 2026, to join the list, and interested families are asked to call the Bennett Preschool office at 978-534-7704. The district has also posted updated summer busing schedules for Fall Brook, Johnny Appleseed, Leominster High School, Northwest and Samoset, with the Johnny Appleseed and LHS schedules refreshed July 10.
COMING UP Monday, July 20: Planning Board meeting at City Hall; the library's Chess Club runs 7 to 8:45 p.m., alongside a Strega Mama interactive story time and "Mini House Design" for kids and teens. Tuesday, July 21: Cemetery Commission meets; the library hosts an English Conversation Class, the Literary Leominster Book Club (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.), a Mushroom House relief-painting program, the Toe Jam Puppet Band and Teen Tournament Tuesday. Wednesday, July 22: Sholan Farms hosts its Cruising and Crops Festival, and the library runs "Hikes Through History" (6 to 7 p.m.) and a "Home By the Sea" story and craft session. Thursday, July 23: A ribbon cutting is set for Starbucks, and the library offers a chalk pastel seahorse painting workshop with artist Gregory Maichack and a "Movie Thursday" screening of "Wild Robot." Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25: Downtown Sounds concerts continue, with another date set for Friday, July 31. Monday, July 27: The library's Chess Club meets again, 7 to 8:45 p.m.