The Holliston School Committee met on Thursday, March 13, 2025 in the Holliston High School Library to discuss:
- HHS A/B Schedule Technology Update
- Recommended Budget
- 2025-2026 School Year Calendar
- Math Leveling Subcommittee Formation
The full meeting can be viewed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGr4dZ1RNkM.
After an executive session, the meeting began with comments from the student representatives on their opinions of the proposed HHS bell schedule. This was followed by a presentation by the Budget Subcommittee on where the FY2026 Budget proposal currently stands (minute 9:56).
During the public comment portion of the meeting, we heard from seven students. Their main concern was communication surrounding the proposed A/B schedule. Parent and educator Tracy Floecker spoke in favor of shifting to the A/B schedule and commended the School Committee for working towards change, while also arguing that students in Holliston are capable of tackling the potential change. Band Director Sean Bilodeau discussed his time on the original schedule subcommittee and argued for more consistent learning, which the proposed change would address. Bilodeau believes that the Holliston Federation of Teachers is spreading misinformation on the issue. School Committee member Dawn Neborsky read an email submitted by Kathi Chartier in favor of leveling math classes, as early as 7th grade. (minute 29:10).
Next, Director of Technology, Dan MacLeod, gave a Technology update. This presentation covered how the district is ramping up its security efforts to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are protected from cyberattacks, including training and more narrowly identifying who is accessing the network (minute 1:25:37).
After the Technology update, Central Office and subcommittees provided their own updates. Superintendent Kustka shared that Holliston Public Schools applied for a $75,000 grant to support STEM from a non-profit called Project Lead the Way. While HPS was not granted the full amount, we were fortunate to receive $40,000. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Dr. David Jordan, informed the committee that the Holliston Select Board voted in favor of moving the Statement of Interest with the Massachusetts School Building Authority forward to eventually assist in funding a new high school. The Communications Subcommittee proposed, and the full committee agreed, to hold office hours to discuss the bell schedule proposal (and other issues) during the following dates and times:
March 19th from 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm at the HHS Library (following the family schedule presentation)
March 22nd from 9 am – 10:30 am at Coffee Haven
March 25th from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm on Zoom
April 1st from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm on Zoom
Budget Subcommittee will be meeting again prior to the March 27th meeting (minute 1:45:40)
Discussion on the 2025-2026 School year calendar followed the subcommittee reports. The committee voted to approve June 23, 2025 as the last day of school for this year. (minute 2:09:50).
After multiple discussions surrounding the math curriculum in the district, it was proposed that a Leveling Subcommittee be formed, comprised of administration, teachers, and School Committee members. School Committee members Sarah Fitzgerald and Hilary Bresnahan volunteered to serve on any such committee and help to create the framework under which it would be formed and operate (minute 2:26:56).
The HSC will meet next on March 27, 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.
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