Holliston School Committee Tackles Curriculum Overhaul and Potential Schedule Changes

The Holliston School Committee meeting on October 10, 2024, was marked by an extensive discussion on curriculum development and scheduling, highlighting a drive towards enhancing educational practices and addressing logistical challenges.

A significant portion of the meeting revolved around the integration of new curriculum strategies, particularly in math and English Language Arts (ELA). The committee members deliberated on the introduction of a second year of ELA curriculum review and the implementation of a new math curriculum. These efforts aim to provide comprehensive support for teachers through professional development and collaboration with curriculum specialists. The focus is on identifying gaps in student performance, facilitating skill-based groupings, and ensuring the effective use of new instructional tools, such as the I-Ready assessment, which helps tailor student learning experiences.

The meeting also delved into the ongoing adjustments needed for intervention strategies, particularly for students requiring additional support. Discussions emphasized the importance of a tiered intervention model, addressing literacy and math skills across multiple levels of student need. The introduction of the “What I Need” (WIN) block represents a shift towards more dynamic, targeted interventions lasting 6 to 8 weeks, designed to engage students in frequent, skill-specific sessions.

The committee further discussed the strategic plan’s technology initiatives, particularly focusing on a new module in PowerSchool to accommodate dynamic family structures and the implementation of a content filter for student Chromebooks. An emphasis was placed on developing a robust incident response plan to safeguard against potential cyber threats, supported by a recent grant for training and preparedness exercises.

Additionally, the committee explored the implications of extending the school day by 15 minutes, a change set to take effect next year. This prompted discussions about bus scheduling and the logistics involved in accommodating the extended hours without disrupting the existing system. A suggestion was made to survey public opinion on various scheduling scenarios to aid in decision-making.

The meeting also touched upon the challenges of managing high school class sizes, particularly in light of a data loss incident over the summer that affected scheduling. The committee acknowledged the ongoing efforts to balance class sizes effectively, recognizing the complexities involved in maintaining equitable student distribution across courses.

In the realm of policy, the committee reviewed Policy IK, which outlines student promotion and retention criteria. The policy emphasizes the use of diverse assessment forms, including standardized tests and teacher observations, to make informed decisions about student advancement.

Amidst these discussions, the committee addressed the district’s approach to supporting arts education, advocating for increased representation and resource allocation within the broader academic framework. There was a consensus on the importance of maintaining high-quality, standards-based materials across all subjects, including the arts, to ensure a well-rounded education for all students.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Superintendent:
Dr. Susan Kustka
School Board Officials:
Daniel Alfred, Dawn Neborsky, Amanda Bigelow, Sarah Fitzgerald, Minnie Gupta, Lisa Kocian, Cynthia Listewnik

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