School Committee: May 23rd Recap
Note: This recap is submitted in my personal capacity and not as a School Committee member. The recap is my own interpretation and should not be considered approved communication.
The Holliston School Committee (“HSC”) met on May 23rd at 7:00 pm in the Holliston High School Library. Hilary Bresnahan, Frank Ogura, and Joe Paru introduced themselves to the community for the first time as elected members. Up first for discussion was the ratification of the 2024-2027 contract between the HSC and Holliston Federation of Teachers (“HFT”) – Unit A. Highlights of the contract include:
– Elimination of the current entry level step (Step 2) in year one to allow for us to be highly competitive with other MetroWest school districts
– Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, instruction time will increase by fifteen (15) minutes at Miller, Adams, and the High School, and by ten (10) minutes at Placentino. Over the course of a student’s K-12 education, this equates to approximately half a year on additional learning
– Teacher Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increases will be four percent (4%) in year one, three percent (3%) in year two, and three percent (3%) in year three of the contract
– The agreement also provides for increased hallway monitoring at the middle school and high school
SC Vice Chair Dawn Neborsky read a letter of support from former HSC member Minnie Gupta and former HSC member Lisa Kocian spoke in support during public comment. The School Committee voted unanimously (7-0-1) with Town Administrator Ahern abstaining to ratify.
However, this agreement is contingent upon an operational override of approximately $1 million to $1.2 million ($200 per year or around 50 cents per day). In order for an override to go into effect, a Special Town Meeting would need to be held on June 17, 2024 and placed on a separate ballot during the September 3, 2024 Primary Election.
Next on the agenda, the principals from each of the town’s schools presented year-end updates and goals on topics such as Communication Practices, Social and Emotional Well-Being, Teaching and Learning, Talent and Resources, and more.
Finally, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations Keith Buday presented on the School Choice application period. To date, 91 families have requested to have their children enroll in Holliston Public Schools and last year there were 49 total applications. Mr. Buday, after consultation with school principals recommended that the HSC approve the following openings to allow for enrollment from outside of the district:
– Fifteen (15) high school seats
– Three (3) 8th grade seats
– Five (5) 7th grade seats
– Two (2) 6th grade seats
– Two (2) 5th grade seats
– Two (2) 4th grade seats
– Two (2) French Immersion Kindergarten seats
– Eleven (11) Traditional Kindergarten seats (1 sibling)
The HSC voted unanimously to approve these new seats.
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Please note the figures quoted in this article [“an operational override of approximately $1 million to $1.2 million ($200 per year or around 50 cents per day)”] are an estimate and do not take into account the varying assessments on homes throughout the town.
Using Fiscal Year 2024 (ends on June 30, 2024) financials, a $1 million override would cost the owner of property valued at $650,000 an additional $175.50 in taxes; the owner of property valued at $950,000 would pay an additional $256.50. At $1.2 million, the override would these same property owners an additional $208.00 and $304.00, respectively.
Fiscal Year 2025 tax financials will not be fully calculated until mid-October/early November.