[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6360785,"mediaKeyId","2172995-39e9372501e8a758dbb7f094c13180ae","parentId",2172995,"title","School Committee approves consent agenda and votes to enter executive session","audioSeconds",150,"startMs",5006000,"endMs",5156000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172995-39e9372501e8a758dbb7f094c13180ae&start=5006&end=5156","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172995-39e9372501e8a758dbb7f094c13180ae/thumbnail_5006000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360785/Massachusetts/School-Committee-approves-consent-agenda-and-votes-to-enter-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360785-358bbce240bf7b0fdccd94f6e1a8ade7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770613385&Signature=S8NJCsKagupX7mijBEya8JCRzqdvJoyAn5R0tm985KTJxhpeDzv71FrFUhTAfQpTBZpDeswjT4IXx9odXq7r6dFHNApPYKqy1Ds~R4prIpPdluiRRhveCIJf3NDOAkkpglAXVT9nnwd-AfBX5UmP7EPFZZ~fUZg2Bca4j8nj~7JC8fenDIzG16CB6jZyEmDNkZOfIZyYKatTOmi~GrkUKFeXiS-RGggnHLDJE445EPM9zuhEwfBCTxe~AGdav1dTldXQmNCOq0BYAfEotGvmrdNFo56nevHlHL-6FC2QFRRJJKkYIygQ2VbVGm3fqgyNe9E6o7aiP7M7kHp7y7YAvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashland Public Schools, MA","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","The School Committee voted to approve the consent agenda (the committee removed the grant-approval item from the consent agenda before the vote). A motion to approve the consent agenda minus the grant approval was made and seconded; committee members voted \"Aye\" and the motion passed. The consent agenda cover items included approval of gifts and donations and approval of minutes from a prior meeting; the committee noted there were no grant approvals for this meeting.

Later in the meeting the committee voted to enter executive session under MGL Chapter 30A Section 21A(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel (Superintendent Jim Adams) or to conduct collective bargaining. The motion to enter executive session was made, seconded and approved on a roll call: Marcy — Aye; Paul Kendall — Aye; Mark — Aye. The committee stated its intent not to return to public session.

Paul Kendall also read warrants for payables totaling $486,534.47; he listed the breakdown as general fund expenses of approximately $216,634.10, revolving expenses of $265,240.51 and grant expenses of $4,659.95. That warrant summary was presented verbally to the committee; no separate vote on the warrants was recorded in the public transcript beyond the consent agenda approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashland School Committee: January 22nd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the January 22, 2025 meeting the Ashland School Committee approved the consent agenda (with the grant item removed) and voted to enter executive session under MGL Chapter 30A §21(a)(2) to discuss strategy for negotiations or collective bargaining; roll-call votes were recorded.","taxTitle","Ashland Public Schools , School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71426,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360789,"School committee reviews implications of ballot change removing MCAS as competency determination",2948,1154000,4102000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172995-39e9372501e8a758dbb7f094c13180ae&start=1154&end=4102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172995-39e9372501e8a758dbb7f094c13180ae/thumbnail_1154000.jpg","/articles/6360789/Massachusetts/School-committee-reviews-implications-of-ballot-change-removing-MCAS-as-competency-determination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360789-fb0f2553e6288ba0c34cd5418f4e5c2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770613385&Signature=THnrndUDJpUK9D3VXMwGe4-qSl8rCKQsJVTrEQOUQ99hDAEg9U9et9Rix5nM8eXic3Q7mQ7cRSu3ms1Tnb3s3M31-q4K5YE~m7STRRCs3I-mCBeUmj7FuhvaS9vuOGxt3D4CHV0K6AUgjUB77PWRon0kx1mPErCY81rvp3IkeRHcaL6yvvMeGAoZQFRcj9oZLTy7VM40cr4lFSZBoooJkwlBPlWlpc4Ms7w19rrP5mgjG0ck7oxIhqU4nsZnAE2mNNYV-ajlf0hCpzlf-kkZfmf5j5dc79BbaAWPJsMNUXQduoI1oC~sDK4j7d-qoF-dW18-Pu8pAF0t5OJeNepQGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Jim Adams told the School Committee that the November ballot changed how Massachusetts defines the competency determination (CD) for a high school diploma: the MCAS test is no longer the state’s CD, but the CD itself remains a legal requirement.

Adams summarized the change: \"When the ballot passed in November, it did not get rid of the CD. It just said the MCAS is no longer the CD.\" He described three timeframes the district must address: immediate impacts on the Class of 2025 (students who already took or did not pass MCAS), medium-term questions for current high school students enrolling in classes this year, and long-term state policy choices for future classes.

District staff said the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) continues to require assessments for federal accountability, so MCAS testing must continue. But DESE has given districts more short-term discretion to identify \"local certification\"—district-certified coursework that shows mastery of the frameworks previously measured by MCAS. Adams and staff said that discretion is likely temporary: the state will later review and may require formal certification of locally determined courses.

Adams and colleagues reported specific operational points the committee must address: a crosswalk of district courses to the state’s English, math and science frameworks (for example, whether integrated math courses meet algebra/geometry frameworks); whether the district’s graduation policy language (Ashland’s policy lists specific course requirements such as one credit of American literature) should be revised; and whether school administration should be given explicit discretion to certify equivalent courses for transfer and English-learner students.

Administrators told the committee they have already identified five students affected by the change and three who were negatively impacted because the pathway formerly available (partial MCAS meeting adjustments such as the former EPP accommodations) no longer applies. Staff said they are reviewing transcripts and specific classes to determine which courses the district will certify as meeting the CD for 2025 and to notify families promptly. Adams said the district will focus on the Class of 2025 before broader policy changes and expects to return with recommended language for handbook or program-of-studies updates in a coming meeting.

Committee members raised concerns about equity, the loss of the MCAS as a consistent statewide normalization tool, and the practical effects on students near the threshold who might otherwise have shown competency through targeted supports rather than repeating a full course. Adams and other staff urged careful review of course frameworks and recommended that any proposed local CD be placed in the student handbook and distributed immediately, and that the School Committee would consider policy adjustments only if necessary to formalize district discretion.

No final action to change graduation policy was taken at the meeting. Adams said the state’s guidance and a governor-appointed task force are expected to provide broader direction in 2026–2027; in the meantime the district will identify impacted students, crosswalk courses to the frameworks, and bring proposed handbook language or minor policy changes back to the committee.","Superintendent Jim Adams and district staff briefed the Ashland School Committee on how the November ballot change — which removed MCAS as the statewide competency determination (CD) — affects graduation requirements, short-term impacts on the Class of 2025 and the district’s next steps for local certification of coursework.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360791,"Ashland preschool staff outline PBIS program focused on ‘Be safe, be kind’",909,214000,1123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172995-39e9372501e8a758dbb7f094c13180ae&start=214&end=1123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172995-39e9372501e8a758dbb7f094c13180ae/thumbnail_214000.jpg","/articles/6360791/Massachusetts/Ashland-preschool-staff-outline-PBIS-program-focused-on-Be-safe-be-kind","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360791-431906f04229c7b49896d84645ec2e68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770613385&Signature=FGvbAmYoevXuLvc6ARB2eYUYWowPm7Ovkw8cDBQhysub9q4KpDEeBwC~mRMQivGJ4djSEFunUvNB3ZFQqoMc-Z1sjtCjsunnM3-szOT2JEvTZ-s3PAp3qeggKx3ac3Yi-kqMVWrtcz18M4-Y4zDNc9eVGTDF1VjfX4tDaUSHTrOSK9SqD8SkQdRvZYVufnfuEzNnbX7zQwevkKCazinKVQGBZ-MjczyMUWBbvoTg3mNCzwFnaAeZfkilIRzUbXe~MpjniBuwr~~WnGnbYERhNMb5osMSEMKiiNzXWvyrFSJVUCrY7CpKZdMQMGDOF8J~X1WoWzqUFj8yNr5X4odljw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarah Davidson and preschool colleagues described the preschool’s PBIS work and how it fits under the district’s broader social-emotional learning (SEL) effort.

Davidson said the preschool’s core values are \"be safe, be kind\" and that PBIS gives young students a simple, consistent framework. The team showed visuals used across classrooms and common areas, explained classroom “beehives” for group rewards and individual \"B\" stickers or stamps that students can take home, and described a mascot called Bumbles that appears at arrival on designated PBIS “B Days.”

The presenters said PBIS is part of an SEL umbrella that also includes elements of responsive classroom and Zones of Regulation. Staff described practical strategies they use with preschoolers: positive phrasing such as \"walking feet\" instead of \"stop running,\" visual supports (ears listening, eyes watching) and routines teachers reteach at the start of the school year and at a mid-year \"reboot\" in January. During B Days, the school runs themed activities—arts and crafts, bingo with pictures of safe/kind behaviors, and certificate awards—to reinforce the expectations.

Preschool staff said they use both group rewards (class beehives that can earn a dance party or extra recess) and individual rewards (stickers or stamps) so families can discuss the child’s behavior at home. Presenters noted the approach is important because many preschool children are experiencing school for the first time and benefit from concrete, visual reminders of expectations.

Committee members responded with positive feedback and personal anecdotes about using similar visuals at home. No formal actions or votes were associated with the presentation.

The presentation concluded with committee members thanking the preschool team; staff left committee members with the recommendation that PBIS and SEL work be continued and supported at the preschool level.","Staff from Ashland Public Schools’ preschool presented the district’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) work, describing visual supports, classroom beehives, a mascot and recurring “B Days” meant to teach social-emotional skills to young students.","actionData","errors"]

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School Committee approves consent agenda and votes to enter executive session

School committee reviews implications of ballot change removing MCAS as competency determination

Ashland preschool staff outline PBIS program focused on ‘Be safe, be kind’