The Holliston School Committee (HSC) met on Thursday, May 15th, 2025 in the Holliston High School Library to discuss:
- Update on the spring Global Citizen Program’s trip to France and Italy,
- Updates on the math advisory group, implementation of additional 10-15 minutes of instructional time for SY2025-2026, school enrollment and extended day openings for SY2025-2026, and
- Changes to medication and attendance/dropout prevention policies.
The full meeting can be viewed here.
The school committee began with a presentation from the Global Citizen Program on the growth of the program, and their April 2025 trip to France and Italy (2:18), followed by an update from the student representatives on upcoming Senior Nights and Honors Induction Night (17:40). The school committee also recognized member Cynthia Listewnik’s last meeting, and her 10 years of service as a Holliston School Committee member and dedication to the Holliston Public Schools.
During public comment, Barbara Ryan (parent and PTO president) (28:50) highlighted some of the school district events this week, including Art Saves Lives student art show, and the Safe, Smart, Secure seminar, and thanked Cynthia Listewnik for her service and contributions to the district. Jessica Ommen (parent) (38:30) thanked Dawn Neborsky and Cynthia Listewnik for their service and leadership to the school district. Stacey Raffi (parent and former school committee member) (34:50) submitted a comment which was read aloud, thanking Cynthia Listewnik for her dedication to the district, and thanking the chaperones who supported the Global Citizens Program students on their April trip.
Following public comment, the committee reviewed two revised policies. Policy JH School Absences and Dropout Prevention, and discussed the implications on instruction for students who take extended unexcused absences, and necessary communication between caregivers and the school (38:47). No vote was taken as more discussion was deemed necessary. The second policy, JLCD- Medications was approved by a vote from the school committee (56:10).
In central office updates (58:30), Dr. Kustka and Dr. Jordan also recognized Cynthia Listewnik’s many contributions to the Holliston Public Schools, and thanked her for support and partnership. Updates were provided on the hiring process (1:05:05) for an interim or permanent Director of Student Services role.
Following central office updates, subcommittees provided brief updates, as well (1:17:15), and the Math Leveling Advisory Group (1:19:45), including a vote on staff and community representatives for this new group. This group will meet May-December of 2025 to examine middle and high school math pathways. Membership includes:
- Karen Manning (middle school principal)
- Teacher/District Representative TBD
- Shannon Mulkerrin (middle school math teacher)
- Laurie Kizik (middle school math teacher)
- Ron Taylor (high school assistant principal)
- Robert Tivnan (high school math department leader)
- Anne Connoni (high school math teacher)
- Ashley Bouchard (elementary STEM specialist)
- Sarah Fitzgerald (school committee member)
- Hilary Bresnahan (school committee member)
- Amanda Bigelow (parent)
- Chris Stanek (parent)
- Kathi Chartier (parent)
The school committee then reviewed information provided by each of the building principals regarding how the additional 10-15 minutes of instructional time will be used for the 2025-2026 school year (1:29:20), including the impact to content area(s) and intervention. Dr. Jordan provided an update on enrollment trends (1:38:30), including anticipated kindergarten enrollment and K-12 school choice seats, and an update on increasing capacity for extended day openings.
Our next school committee meeting date is Thursday, May 29th at 7pm in the Holliston High School library.