Chair Stacey Raffi opened the remote School Committee (SC) meeting on Thursday, March 4, at 7:03 PM. Immediately thereafter, Raffi asked that members observe a moment of silence as requested by Superintendent Dr. Susan Kustka for the many friends and relatives of the Holliston school community who have experienced a loss due to COVID.

The meeting continued with the approval of minutes from the August 20, 2020, regular session.  There was no public comment.  Student representatives to the SC, Julia O’Neill and Elise Andleman, reported that all scholarship information is now available virtually, including applications.  They also reported Fall II sports had begun.

Dr. Kustka then commented on several items.  Although the HHS prom was cancelled, she is meeting with seniors to plan an outside event that she hopes will be special for them.   She visited a French immersion classroom at Miller School where students were Zooming with a class in France.  Kustka also reported joining a virtual job fair with 32 other MA school districts on March 31, sponsored by Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education, whose purpose is multicultural staffing initiatives for public schools.  Live Zoom interviews will occur.  Kustka also thanked staff for “visiting” her during a virtual coffee hour.  Staff shared many questions with her, and Kustka said, “I enjoy supporting others.”

Raffi next introduced Sarah Fitzgerald, Townwide PTO President, and Barbara Ryan (in above photo), Chair of Mindshare, the Holliston PTO parent education program.  Ryan provided an overview of recent actions by the PTO.  During the winter holidays, the PTO provided $2000 in gift cards to the Youth and Family Services Department to support families.  A Pandemic Parenting class was also provided by the PTO.  More recently, the PTO, with support from Mindshare and partnership with Diverse Holliston, made it possible for Dr. Peter Botelho, Assistant Superintendent, and Lisa Kocian, SC member, to complete an 8-hour equity training course. Sessions were led by Dr. Tonia Florence-Walker that provided an overview of the history of racism and prejudice in America. This was supported by a Holliston Cultural Council $1000 grant written by Ryan.  Ryan concluded her presentation by saying to educators, “Thank you for all you do with our kids in the classroom.”  Dr. Botelho and Kocian thanked Ryan and Diverse Holliston for inviting them to participate in the program.  Dr. Botelho said he would make resources available from the program on the HPS website. 

Raffi asked for subcommittees to report on the progress of each. 

• The Policy Sub-committee is meeting on March 9 at 1:00 PM for an ongoing review. 
• The Superintendent’s Evaluation Sub-committee will be talking soon to Dr. Kustka.
• The Communication Sub-committee met on March 3.  A Zoom (virtual) coffee hour is planned for Saturday, March 13 at 10:00AM with Kocian, Cynthia Listewnik, and Anne Louise Hanstad.  An evening event (date/time TBA) is planned as well, with Raffi, Listewnik, and Catherine Sevard attending. 

Dr. Kustka provided the Superintendent’s COVID 19 Update. She gave a preliminary report to the School Committee based on data (still incomplete) from the recent parents’ survey.  Kustka then recommended that grades 4 and 5 be brought back to a full in-person learning model on April 5, a goal set by the Education Commissioner Jeff Riley. The SC voted to eliminate the hybrid model for grades 4 and 5 at Miller School and bring them back (beginning on April 5) to full in-person learning (with remote only for those already on full remote), as mandated by the State Commissioner of Education.

On another note, Dr. Kustka reported that during the present Fall II sports cycle, two spectators are allowed for each player during an outside competition.  No spectators are allowed for inside competitive events.  Dr. Kustka said, “This decision can change one way or the other,” as it is dependent upon data that is being monitored.  This week, the HPS is able to offer music classes, and will make this happen with those involved wearing masks and maintaining a 10’ physical distance. 

Anne Louise Hanstad, Chair of the Budget Sub-committee reviewed discussion from the most recent meeting.  The Sub-committee supports Dr. Kustka’s budget FY22 and did not recommend any changes.  The sub-committee will present the budget to the Finance Committee on March 23.  In preparation of the vote on the FY22 budget, Raffi recommended the SC reread the budget and send questions to the sub-committee, to be followed by discussion and vote at the next SC meeting.

Kocian listed content for the upcoming SC newsletter;  the group amended items and voted to approve the contend as amended.

Business Manager Keith Buday provided details for warrants that had been signed by Raffi this week:  a school bill of #310,038.56 ($5552.89 COVID related), and a cafeteria bill of $11,407.42.

The SC will meet with the Select Board on Monday, March 8, at 7 PM.  SC members are asked to send questions to Town Administrator Travis Ahern that will be asked of Senator Karen Spilka and Rep. Carolyn Dykema, guests at the Select Board meeting.  Raffi adjourned the meeting at 9:35 PM.  The SC will meet remotely on March 18, at 7 PM.