The meeting began with a discussion about the implementation of the HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) math curriculum across kindergarten to eighth grade, extending into the high school. The curriculum rollout is supported by professional development sessions and model lessons from HMH experts, emphasizing the importance of effective classroom usage. The committee underscored that a curriculum’s success hinges on active and proficient implementation by educators.

In parallel, the English Language Arts curriculum is undergoing its first year of a core program review. A steering committee with representatives from all grade levels is assessing various programs to ensure they meet Halifax’s educational standards. Teachers will begin piloting these programs in January, supported by grant funding aimed at maintaining consistent educational experiences across grades. The committee highlighted its dedication to vertical alignment in learning.

A particularly notable achievement discussed was the district’s progress in ELA performance. The committee shared that Halifax is among nine Massachusetts districts with ELA levels meeting or exceeding pre-kindergarten standards. ELA scores for grades three to six rose from 59% to 62%, with third graders showing a remarkable increase from 61% to 69% meeting or exceeding expectations. This progress drew recognition from the Commissioner of Education, Pedro Martinez, and the committee is planning a formal presentation to honor the collective efforts of educators, staff, students, and families.

On the operational front, staffing updates included the successful hiring of a halftime Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the rehiring of a nighttime custodian. Despite these successes, two paraprofessional positions remain open, with efforts underway to fill them. These staffing changes were confirmed as positions accounted for in the existing budget.

Enrollment figures presented a mixed picture, with a slight increase in homeschooling but an overall decrease in district enrollment to 530 students as of October 1st. These numbers, including 163 middle school and 342 high school students, have implications for Halifax’s assessment percentages, though the district’s share of students attending Silver Lake has increased.

The meeting also addressed financial and contractual matters, approving changes to contracts and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), with the chairperson authorized to sign on behalf of the committee. An amendment of understanding with the Halifax Police Department regarding the School Resource Officer Unit was passed without objection, reflecting ongoing collaboration to enhance school safety.

Additionally, the committee discussed the food service revolving account, which operates independently of the regular school budget and supports cafeteria expenses. A proposal related to this account was unanimously approved, aligning with the committee’s fiscal management goals.

The Pilgrim Area Collaborative (PAC) subcommittee provided updates, including a clean audit for 2025 and the approval of an amended budget of approximately $11.3 million. Despite lower-than-expected student enrollment figures, the PAC board voted to redistribute $146,700 to member towns, although Halifax did not receive funds due to having no students attending the collaborative.

Policy updates were handled, with a first reading of several business finance policies and an agreement to waive the second reading for approval. This included policies concerning background checks, access to school buildings, nutrition modifications, and fundraising activities.