00:01The meeting opened with a clarification from the chair regarding staffing rumors, assuring attendees that there would be no job losses due to budget or scheduling changes. This statement was met with applause. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the contentious AB schedule. The chair attempted to reassure attendees that while the AB schedule was planned for the next school year, discussions on an alternative were ongoing. A parent urged the committee to slow down and ensure thorough consideration of all options, emphasizing the need for stability and transparency.

25:23Public comments revealed deep dissatisfaction. Students expressed feeling uninformed about changes, with one student poetically articulating the stress caused by the schedule changes and additional testing requirements. Teachers echoed these concerns, with one stating that the teachers of Holliston High School are not opposed to change but feel the current narrative against them is misleading. Another teacher, Amanda Rivera, likened the push for the AB schedule to a train barreling down tracks without proper consideration of the consequences, urging a collaborative approach.

34:56The committee heard strong criticism from community members who felt excluded from the decision-making process. One parent questioned the exclusion of student and teacher input, urging for a professional mediator to help resolve the ongoing issues. Concerns about deleveling the middle school math curriculum were also raised, with parents worried about the potential elimination of advanced courses.

02:10:03The meeting also addressed the scheduling of professional development days and the school calendar, with debate over whether January 2nd should be a school day. Concerns were raised about low attendance due to family vacations, and it was proposed to keep the day off and conclude the school year on June 22nd. However, this suggestion was met with resistance due to potential conflicts with summer plans and holiday observances. The committee grappled with the challenge of balancing educational needs, teacher development, and family commitments.

03:00:06Budget discussions highlighted a recommended budget set at $44,500,699. The committee noted the potential for savings through retiring teachers and unfilled positions, assuring that there would be no staff reductions due to budget constraints. The focus remained on maintaining current staffing levels, contrasting Holliston’s stability with layoffs in other districts.

01:40:14Subsequent discussions involved the formation of a subcommittee to analyze middle school math pathways. The committee emphasized the need for diverse input and planned to solicit community interest in participation.

02:37:03The meeting concluded with updates on academic program changes, including name changes for various high school courses and the introduction of new classes through the Project Lead The Way program. An upcoming partnership with UMass Dartmouth will allow students to take online courses, providing additional academic opportunities.