The meeting’s most pressing topic was the appointment of Dr. Yadilette Rivera Colón as the new chair of the leadership accountability and measurement subcommittee. A motion was made to approve this appointment, emphasizing her strong commitment and previous accomplishments, including her role as chair of the diversity, equity, and inclusion subcommittee. Despite concerns about the potential overburdening of Dr. Rivera Colón, the motion passed unanimously after a roll call vote. The committee underscored the necessity for all subcommittees to integrate equity considerations into their work rather than relying solely on the diversity subcommittee.

The committee also discussed the upcoming joint school committee and city council appointment scheduled for October 2nd. Members were reminded to check their emails for applications and updates related to this appointment.

Another topic was the ongoing challenges related to enrollment and class size caps. An update was provided, highlighting fluctuating numbers, particularly in the initial weeks of school. Kelly School is experiencing tight class situations in certain SEI classes, while dual language classrooms remain unaffected. Some grades are already capped, which means new students moving into specific neighborhoods, such as Lawrence for fourth grade, will be redirected to Morgan School due to space constraints. The administration intends to monitor enrollment weekly and provide regular updates.

Concerns were raised about the policy surrounding students displaced due to class caps. It was questioned why families would need to endure a Zone appeal process if they had already been moved due to space issues, given that stability in education is important for student success. The administration responded that while students could remain in their current school, transportation would not be guaranteed if they opted to stay in a school outside of their Zone school the following year.

The meeting also featured student reports from Holyoke High School North and Dean Campus. Nicholas Samantha Rodriguez reported on the newly implemented schedule at Holyoke High School North, which features four blocks lasting an hour and a half each, including a “reach block” for structured study. The school plans morale-boosting events to improve student attendance, particularly on Fridays, which has been noted as a day with high absenteeism. Rodriguez expressed dissatisfaction with the new schedule, stating, “I personally don’t like the schedule; I think it’s too long of a block to have.” Concerns were voiced about students, particularly in College Preparatory classes, having too much idle time during extended blocks.

Evan Kennedy from Holyoke High School Dean Campus provided updates on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiatives at Dean Tech. The report highlighted significant recruitment efforts, leading to the successful hiring of three educators, addressing the need for vocational educators in the region. Over 40 students were placed in co-op positions last year, with ongoing recruitment for seniors and juniors beginning in January. A marketing campaign to promote the co-op program included a television advertisement scheduled to air during a presidential debate. Additionally, a substantial donation of construction boots valued at over $120,000 was reported by local news.

The committee also discussed the implications of recent staffing changes and the ongoing efforts to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students. Mr. Cmore expressed gratitude to the staff at Sullivan School for a successful open house event, noting the excellent preparations made by the custodial staff and the involvement of parents and students.

The conversation then transitioned to athletic events, with concerns raised about the financial burden of ticket prices for families. The committee acknowledged the need to evaluate the fairness of pricing across different sports and levels. Questions were posed about the revenue generated from ticket sales and the costs associated with third-party processing fees. There was a request for transparency regarding these financial aspects and whether cash payment options were available for families lacking access to credit cards for online purchases.

Policy revisions originating from a recent retreat were also presented for review. These included school committee powers and duties, member qualifications and oath of office, and member resignation. A motion was made to recommend that the superintendent review these policy recommendations and post them for feedback over a two-week period. Positive feedback was noted regarding the well-prepared proposals.

The meeting also addressed procedural matters, such as the selection process for new committee members and the need for legal opinions on whether incoming members must reside in the wards they are appointed to represent. A motion was made to obtain a legal opinion on this matter, which passed unanimously.