The Holliston School Committee met on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in the Holliston High School Library to discuss:
- Dyslexia Action Plan
- Student Services End of Year Update
- Teaching and Learning Update
- Programs of Study Update
- PowerSchool Mass Action Suit, and more
The full meeting can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sMyeIGiIrQ.
The meeting began with comments from Student Representatives. They shared that it was college decision day for high school seniors, on June 1st is a scavenger hunt to benefit the Holliston Food Pantry, and that May 23rd is the last day for the high school. Student Representative Comment was followed by individual School Committee member comments. Frank Ogura commended the car show put on by the high schoolers, Sarah Fitzgerald congratulated Seniors on decision day and thanked educators for Teacher Appreciation Week, and Dan Alfred reminded the community that Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 7th at 7:00 pm, as the School Committee has items on the warrant for Town Meeting approval. (minute 18:05)
Next, Barbara Ryan began public comment by reminding the community that there will be a Bike, Walk, and Roll to school on May 7th at 7:05 am, expressed her excitement that there will be a Math Leveling Subcommittee, and discussed AI and her concerns on the effects it may have on our schools. Ingrid Doherty of the Holliston Music and Arts Parents Association (HMAPA) mentioned that $7,000 in grants have been provided to Holliston teachers for arts, theater, and music and expressed her gratitude for the HHS schedule change, which will bring new life to the music and arts programs. (minute 21:17)
Following public comment, the District Curriculum team presented on Teaching & Learning. The team, which had representation from each school, provided updates on intervention for assessments and progress in literacy and math. Students in intervention have been making great strides in achieving grade level in literacy and math (for example, 84% of RAMS students saw growth in literacy and 88% in math). (minute 27:00)
Director of Student Services Jessica Beattie then presented the Dyslexia Action Plan. A team from Holliston Public Schools was accepted to participate in the DESE Dyslexia Institute from November 2024 through March 2025 in Wakefield. The Institute taught our team how to better serve the District’s dyslexic students. The team highlighted that the program reinforced the fact that Holliston is in a great place in terms of progress monitoring for its students and were motivated to increase monitoring and to establish team meetings to continue improvements. (minute 1:45:45)
The committee then heard again from Jessica Beattie for a presentation on the Student Services end of year update. She shared that while the number of students needing services increased, out-of-district placements were decreasing, Title IX regulations reverted back to 2020 rules, and that trainings on both Title IX and 504 plans and IEPs are being held. (minute 2:05:22)
Next, HHS Principal David List provided an update on the programs of study. The next step is for a committee represented by each HHS department look at how the schedule change affects the programs of study. The new schedule will assist in closing the gap between when an AP class ends and when the AP exam is taken because classes will now run year-long rather than per semester. (minute 2:21:21)
Dan MacLeod presented next on the PowerSchool data breach. Violations by PowerSchool included their responsibility to protect student PII, staff data, maintenance of appropriate security measures, and failure to notify the district in a timely manner post breach. Holliston has the option to file a mass action lawsuit (meaning each district files their own suit against PowerSchool) and the Holliston School Committee will take some time to better understand the options and will consider a future vote to authorize the Frantz Law Group to represent the district or delegate Dr. Kustka to find representation. (minute 2:37:26)
During the Communications Subcommittee update, the full School Committee voted 6-0 (Cynthia Listewnik was absent) to approve a communication thanking the teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. The full committee also voted 6-0 to return $43,967.56 back to the Capital account during the Budget Subcommittee update, as these funds are no longer required. (minute 2:53:07)
Finally, the committee was provided with an update on the Math Leveling Subcommittee. A communication was sent out seeking volunteers and the hope is to have a full School Committee vote on May 15th to officially form the subcommittee. (minute 3:01:50)
As a reminder, Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 7th. There will be a number of items on the warrant for our schools, so please plan to attend and lend your support!
The HSC will meet next on May 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
A note to readers: This recap is by no means an exhaustive summarization of the School Committee Meeting. Please always feel free to reach out to any member of the committee with questions or concerns at any time.