The Holliston School Committee met on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in the Holliston High School Library to discuss:
- Holliston Drug and Alcohol Coalition Youth Action Team – Year in Review
- 2024/25 District Progress: Safe and Supportive Schools
The full meeting can be viewed here.
The meeting began with the introduction of Adele Boggess and Luke Burgett who will serve as School Committee student representatives for the 2025-2026 school year. They gave a rundown of the numerous end-of-year events at Holliston schools during May and June. These events included the Junior/Senior Prom, the National Honor Society Induction, Art Saves Lives, a Financial Literacy Event for juniors, a Holocaust survivor presentation, Girls Track and Field team won the TVL Championship, Boy Track and Field team placed second in the TVL Championship, and Boys Varsity Baseball won the TVL Championship. (minute 2:05)
Following the student updates, Zoe Moreau, from the Holliston Drug and Alcohol Awareness Coalition (HDAAC), presented the work of the HDAAC Youth Action Team. This team is composed of about 17 Holliston high school students. They worked all year to help create a positive environment to help reduce risk factors associated with substance abuse. Their activities spanned from sending positive messages intended to bring joy via Valentine candy grams to visits to the Massachusetts State House to advocate for methods to reduce underage drinking. (minute 6:36)
At this point, the School Committee welcomed its newest member, Tracy Floeckher. Tracy has lived in Holliston for six years and is a teacher in a neighboring district. Additionally, School Committee members offered congratulations to Dawn Neborsky for being re-elected to the committee. (minute 22:08)
Barbara Ryan spoke during public comment. She is looking forward to seeing committee priorities for the 2025/26 school year, she offered congratulations to Zoe Moreau for her success involving students in HDAAC, and she is interested to hear School Committee communications on topics that interest the community going forward. (minute 25:22)
Next, Jariel Vergne, Director of Safe and Supportive Schools, presented an End of Year Update on District Progress: Safe and Supportive Schools. He shared updates from staff and community members who have been involved in this collective process. Some of these efforts include continued work with families to improve chronic absentee numbers, engagement of various systems and methods to provide social and emotional support, and utilization of a data driven approach to determine suitable professional development for staff. (minute 30:04)
Central Office provided updates on recent events: the Holliston Education Foundation (HEF) presented their Spotlight on Education awards to six Holliston educators, the Service Learning night was presented by students, and members for the Student Services Director interviews are being selected. Sara Peters at RAMS expanded the work that the 8th graders completed for their 8th Grade Service Day. Roof work continues on the RAMS roof. (minute 1:17:09)
Updates from subcommittees: Math Advisory Committee members have been sworn in at Town Hall. The School Committee voted to make one change with the membership: to replace Dan MacLeod with Carla Krause (RAMS STEM Coordinator). The first meeting of the Math Advisory Committee is planned for June 11.
Finally, the Holliston Coalition Against Hate and Bias will be holding a community forum on June 17, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30pm at Holliston High School. All are welcome – please register here.
The HSC will meet next on June 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. One of the agenda items for this meeting will be a reorganization of the School Committee roles. Dan Alfred announced that he will not be seeking, nor will he accept a nomination for chair for next year. (minute 1:35:52)
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.
