The most contentious topic of the meeting was the ongoing contract negotiations between the HTA and the school district. Multiple educators expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of negotiations, emphasizing the need for the school committee to engage in more productive dialogue. Educators urged the committee to prioritize the needs of students and teachers by returning to the bargaining table with an open mindset. A representative from the HTA highlighted the association’s readiness to meet every Thursday through December for negotiations.

Ashley Howland, a special education team lead, shared her experiences from the bargaining sessions, noting that the HTA had presented proposals to improve school safety, educational quality, and teacher retention. However, she expressed frustration over the district’s delayed responses and inadequate proposals, which she felt did not adequately address issues. This sentiment was echoed by Brandy Bellico, who criticized the school committee’s decision to file for mediation instead of engaging in meaningful conversations with the HTA.

They argued that this instability negatively impacts both students and the community. A personal anecdote was shared about a student who expressed a desire to leave the district after graduation, highlighting the adverse effects of the current situation on student morale.

Robert Williams, a world history teacher, refuted claims that the HTA was unwilling to negotiate, insisting that the bargaining team had been working to develop sustainable proposals to improve working conditions. Another speaker, Maria Perez, urged the school committee to retract its decision to declare an impasse, arguing that the HTA was committed to negotiating a fair contract. The educators collectively emphasized the importance of local control and expressed concern over the state’s involvement in the bargaining process, which they believed undermined their efforts.

The meeting also focused heavily on the challenges associated with the implementation of the PowerSchool system. Concerns were raised about students’ and teachers’ difficulties in accessing and navigating the new system. One participant noted that the transition from the previous system, SchoolBrains, to PowerSchool had been rocky, primarily due to a key team member’s sudden resignation. This left the remaining team struggling to ensure that students and teachers had access to necessary materials and applications from the start of the school year.

Several members expressed concerns about the adequacy of training provided to educators and students for the new system. It was acknowledged that while training had been planned for professional development days, it had not been adequately executed, leaving many students and staff without the skills needed to effectively use PowerSchool. A member highlighted the importance of having designated individuals available in each school to assist with questions and alleviate confusion stemming from “fear of the unknown” regarding the new system.

The conversation about PowerSchool extended to the integration of a parent portal, which was planned for rollout in the coming months. The committee discussed strategies to inform and train parents on using the system to ensure they understand its functionalities. The need for improved communication and structured training opportunities for students and parents was repeatedly emphasized as critical for the successful implementation of PowerSchool.

Additionally, the meeting covered the establishment of various committees and advisory groups within the district. Among these was the Teacher Advisory Group (TAG), which is expected to restart with a new meeting schedule. The District Parent Advisory Council and the Student Advisory Council also continue to meet, with the latter’s recent in-person meetings reportedly fostering effective discussions among students.

A competency determination workgroup was another notable topic, with an October 31st deadline set to draft a policy for submission to the state by December 31st. Rebecca Thompson, Executive Director of Academics, is leading this initiative, engaging high school teachers, counselors, and administrators in the process. Plans to form a grading policy group and a music programming workgroup were also discussed, along with considerations for an artificial intelligence policy working group.

Lastly, updates were provided on the start of the school year, noting logistical challenges such as the implementation of PowerSchool and the opening of a new school building. The facilities team was commended for their efforts in preparing for the new year, despite these challenges. However, concerns were raised about a persistent foul smell in one of the schools, with a request made to investigate the issue further.