[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_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",6304599,"mediaKeyId","2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94","parentId",2459035,"title","School Committee ratifies maintenance technicians unit contract (2024'27)","audioSeconds",33,"startMs",7437000,"endMs",7470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94&start=7437&end=7470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94/thumbnail_7437000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304599/Massachusetts/School-Committee-ratifies-maintenance-technicians-unit-contract-202427","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304599-61a0b049d636f2b0fcfee1a22ca32dca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012470&Signature=PX5r8YYVQR8E5XsQ8hGCyrcCyMUxhagzJaTDFhex~-0X72xvlQyhN2-Xss4Tv2iR57~kDGWrdqaCKe0v174Z-YjKCqResMUO116KqnHUjwRstCCt70Z9fHiDmkQ1y7vagfRmJIwZ00aF2yZVt3pfYfE19-3T6mdWeVu5HWPu7d5yJbduyZ-S8G~MFcQ48bkaguVmVnm6XN7gQkVnxZi8mPKpmto2hySzOPR8SGSZybe2hNXqcBhadIDUmBktw0uMN6IsG8IfCl2bXBDoB9xRgbvvppd9gIy557uWPNbVNvnk2EiUeDn38J0u3jXC1gCOBruNQlvHiafjXdX-dAkvCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holliston Public Schools, MA","date","2025-02-28T16:33:29Z","article","The School Committee ratified a collective-bargaining agreement for the district's maintenance technicians unit covering 2024'27.

Committee members said the agreement increases annual wages across the contract terms and raises the district's education-reimbursement amount for members. The memorandum of agreement also included minor adjustments to stipends and licensing reimbursements.

During the meeting the committee recorded a motion to approve the agreement and took a roll call vote; the motion passed by recorded vote. The committee instructed central office staff to finalize signatures and to implement updated pay and stipend terms in payroll.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holliston School Committee - February 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The School Committee approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement covering maintenance technicians, including multi-year wage adjustments and modest increases to education reimbursement.","taxTitle","Holliston Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71610,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304603,"District expands inclusion and transition programs; student-services team plans community bridge and business internships",0,6813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94&start=6813&end=6813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94/thumbnail_6813000.jpg","/articles/6304603/Massachusetts/District-expands-inclusion-and-transition-programs-student-services-team-plans-community-bridge-and-business-internships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304603-0f59e85ea71a1fc279266080510bcb33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012470&Signature=Tu7pHXrdOfPQKwwV~HKB9lvTHwL4oxSjb-mrm1bdfXv2q~8ufNZsjqZmjm5fs5vW5puvWzjRYnrN2Kd167h44BIjWXDCCONJlTJbny-k2WZJuvmrFSzXs73M2t8urEU1XJ0uvKnksq7g7mSojMhspj6QYqp2dTsl1wOPQIqqcqxr7XWol8txfmvLTWExQ~UHT5lYoO41Hnn4DCA88fyLaMCTQXWVqbUFkvRwlJkgFnILeKFe9qpcji-jORRBnjCFoluPyY5pDWBCEMT1p4LCgDwScWXz0U1YioUTx2kVSci72ekwkHMRvOLIUFxoJ-6uKwIiS55HVaJBt~bJmIgu-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District student-services leaders presented work on inclusion, expanded continuums, and transition services at the Feb. 27 meeting.

Presenters said the district has aligned entrance and exit criteria across multiple supports (language-based programs, SOAR/SOAR-like functional-academics tracks, pathways/connections for social-emotional support, and transition/18-to-22 services). The presentation highlighted plans to broaden in-district supports so fewer students require out-of-district placements, and it identified continuing pressures on special-education transportation and overall costs.

The district described a series of new or expanded efforts:

- A community-bridge event planned for April 3 to build partnerships with local businesses for internships and community-based experiences. District staff said the goal is to educate local businesses about how to support learners in internships and inclusive recreational programs.
- Growth of the 18-to-22 transition program, including a new small-business \"Classroom Creations\" that sells student-made seasonal items to district staff as a pilot for a larger transition storefront.
- Rebranding and alignment of district continuums (examples presented: SOAR for functional academics; Bridge as a route for diploma-seeking students in intensive co-teaching models; Pathways/Connections for social-emotional needs).

Leaders said evaluations for special-education eligibility are up compared with the prior year but that increases so far have not translated to a matching rise in students qualifying for specialized instruction; a larger number of students have been placed on 504 plans, which administrators attributed in part to changes in identification and the district's increased attention to medical and health plans that now fit 504 requirements.

Student-services staff asked the committee for ongoing support to manage transportation costs, to consider tuition-in or regional partnerships for continuum placements, and to grow in-district transition options where appropriate.","The School Committee heard a student-services update outlining expanded continuums for special education, a growing 18-to-22 transition program, and a planned April community-bridge event to link students with local businesses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304608,"Parents and tutors urge schedule change and restored middle-school math leveling",717,798000,1515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94&start=798&end=1515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94/thumbnail_798000.jpg","/articles/6304608/Massachusetts/Parents-and-tutors-urge-schedule-change-and-restored-middle-school-math-leveling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304608-21839e5f5c7a72e743c541d9b6346916/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012470&Signature=cT7HTZFydUDj~5va0tJJ3q8oJP58NOMA3v6VW~fZjIGtKD43wOxvJ~MawzUnjEfJtI7bs79nWJGMUK4LhME80imtVvsGEf6lzMdz1InySeuY7XHE~~9RzoUgxnBVyZMiLbNDqVYEb41XpWs07WswN2gg7X-KjQO2N-ToA-4r8Y6PIhOzhrTn1GysWH4WyHt5TsQjkGTHgwY88QaLonPJ7nLnqk-DGc0Q-ofjRv6n2zT~yZwMZyQmPOym~xGbRmR1~mQ0C3rijd7-WzdivS~cQty9oxZqlePmIV5cruo93muI6WEUagAs~Z2xeg~msT123IkenGoWVGByRByJuCRO~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public used the Feb. 27 public-comment period to press the School Committee for two related changes: adjustment of the Holliston High School schedule and restoration of middle-school math leveling.

Tracy Flecker, a parent of five and a 20-year teacher, urged the committee to move away from the present AB (A/B block-style) schedule in favor of more traditional scheduling that would allow students to take eight classes concurrently. Flecker said she believes the current schedule is ‘‘not equitable’’ for students with high needs and argued the district risks disadvantaging students who will compete against peers in other districts. She also referenced federal civil-rights obligations, saying equal-access requirements should drive schedule decisions.

Kathy Jarnier (introduced on Zoom), a former school committee member and a longtime math tutor, spoke in favor of moving the high school away from the block model and urged the district to offer Algebra I in middle school for appropriately ready students. Jarnier described problems she sees when students complete part of a math course and then go months without math instruction, saying that gap undermines retention and standardized-test preparation. She also recommended the district adopt DESE-aligned middle-school leveling that offers an Algebra I pathway for students ready for accelerated study.

Anne Canoni, another parent and longtime local educator, also urged the committee to assemble a committee of educators and community members knowledgeable in mathematics standards to guide any changes. She cited neighboring districts' approaches and recommended that Holliston examine models that preserve standards without creating new inequities.

Committee members acknowledged the comments and said administration and principals would work with teachers to craft implementation approaches. The administration later discussed steps for expanding Algebra I access and the need to clarify how any gaps (for example, geometry standards moved between grades) would be filled through summer work or in-district interventions.","During public comment several parents, a long-time tutor and a former school committee member urged the district to end the existing block schedule at the high school and restore middle-school math leveling and Algebra I options.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304613,"Holliston administrators report midyear gains in literacy and math, flag attendance concerns",1484,1956000,3440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94&start=1956&end=3440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94/thumbnail_1956000.jpg","/articles/6304613/Massachusetts/Holliston-administrators-report-midyear-gains-in-literacy-and-math-flag-attendance-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304613-b03d25f0efe085b7e3a8f4eef2766581/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012470&Signature=E5diVw85LOyDmU-FfjYel0iYJhyFfZZW6dB2~4bTcGJk0tJhYcIJqZAhUFFpZ6nwObB-eweFHoXjkZk73OPJlJLAIdzWrJEPd-EZWJwFuUqgRMNZm0wrQ8rrGsVtH8yIG8MOyZC~vTl97UgKI3RL86uny1jnk~V0Qv1-VK9QuV5D9mpRDvohW23XeMdImaV0EtLVtDyuCN-AA9vEaM~~6kdY1-s4Z9vCYtY7O78GpmiSIbrgp7M6Gsyx1v-UiV8T-abzmacyKrpDlqoZ3ifpVew0SEpfajUiXBd15f68WQ5fHsfyJ~LF9ilkJ1YuaYA6fJAv416h6xjDVxXdcdTT2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holliston administrators gave a midyear update at the Feb. 27 School Committee meeting summarizing districtwide work on communication, social-emotional supports, teaching and learning, and talent and resources.

Presenters said the district has expanded data tools and parent communications (including S'more newsletters that showed 5,366 hits for a Feb. 13 update and 3,477 for a curriculum note) and has increased use of its data dashboard for monitoring interventions. Administrators reported improved benchmark results in early literacy and numeracy at the elementary level and notable midyear growth in grades at Robert Adams Middle School. For example, Rams (the middle school) showed an increase from roughly 54% of students on or above grade level in September to about 62% in January on their IXL ELA benchmark; administrators said similar midyear gains were reflected by other measures such as DIBELS and iReady.

The district is intensifying screening and progress monitoring: staff told the committee they now screen three times a year and monitor at-risk students biweekly or weekly, with some students receiving six-week intervention cycles. Administrators singled out number sense and phonics as strategic, grade-specific targets and said more students are now assigned to interventions earlier in the year than in the previous year.

At the same time, officials highlighted attendance as a leading concern. Presenters said chronic absenteeism rose in mid-January for some populations and in some buildings; a district snapshot shared at the meeting listed a 95.5% overall attendance rate and a 9.3% chronic-absence rate at Robert Adams Middle School. Administrators said they have increased family outreach, started weekly and monthly attendance reporting to families, and convened a chronic-attendance leadership team to examine subgroup trends.

Principals and central-office staff described several concrete supports: expanded professional development, targeted PD for paraprofessionals, partnerships with the Middlesex DA on training for counselors, and the rollout of Asset Essentials for facilities requests. The district also reported more special-education evaluations so far this year than in the prior year and said that growth largely reflects earlier screening and more intensive monitoring rather than a large rise in students qualifying for IEPs.

Administrators said they will continue to refine intervention capacity (including plans for math tutors and math labs in some grades) and will report further on the effects of curriculum and program changes at future meetings.","District administrators presented midyear updates showing improved literacy and math benchmarks in several buildings, expanded data tools and interventions, and rising concern about chronic absenteeism in specific student groups.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304616,"Holliston School Committee votes to implement AB schedule at high school",1569,8823000,10392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94&start=8823&end=10392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459035-b1912cc5db11792a6383b18b42c5da94/thumbnail_8823000.jpg","/articles/6304616/Massachusetts/Holliston-School-Committee-votes-to-implement-AB-schedule-at-high-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304616-da95a412df9c28b48ee9b38aa6daeb72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012470&Signature=YlbUCo2QEcWEMlPMIIJJluWTzJ4rWabziVAIhCHKErSBB3vOu796berxmXZWpIN-ifHtd0JnxRKA1Rf4CshdgYBN-sTfeO9FH1CCIgUyOH0bHvAX~5JTeH5JxrgGRlVUoxLbYpivAHsvsBKyUlxvLbtYfFT~bx8Vl7KsFz0I19yGhFsK2UcXVprSv-LMVwYhN7GDjIb1Y~SnmdqEjQUDJtYPH8ONvgBT3FvuZwkxPVQX4X53zTcQ11YC0XRtD~YVzP6Vdden5UxDquQxX6jE0FfszApAxsYb5EXHEURqHoI4nIv2bI0N7miNpawFlgxZW3rM3JQx9wbOBCUbCCZbgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holliston School Committee voted 6'0 to 1 on Feb. 27 to ask the superintendent to implement an AB (alternating-day) version of the district's current block schedule at Holliston High School, subject to any required bargaining obligations.

Committee members framed the move as a targeted change intended to preserve the district's current course offerings while giving many classes yearlong continuity. Supporters said the AB implementation would make yearlong electives such as band and chorus easier to schedule and give students more continuous access to courses that now run as single-term blocks.

The motion instructed Superintendent Dr. Kressler (name as stated in the meeting) to proceed with an AB implementation of the high school schedule. The motion text recorded in the meeting was: “Ask Dr. Kressler to implement an AB model at the high school with the current Holliston High School schedule, subject to any bargaining obligations.” The committee recorded the outcome as approved, 6 in favor and 1 opposed.

Supporters said the AB arrangement is an iteration of the existing schedule rather than a full redesign. In committee discussion members pointed to three practical benefits: (1) yearlong access for electives and music programs that currently meet during daily support blocks, (2) improved continuity for yearlong academic subjects, and (3) clearer placement of student-support sessions. Members acknowledged the AB model preserves the current block length (about 81 minutes) and therefore does not address concerns about long single-class periods.

Opponents and some community commenters cautioned the change is only a partial fix. Committee members and speakers raised implementation questions including how the change will affect Advanced Placement course sequencing, how instructional materials and consumables will be budgeted, and how the district will communicate the change to families and staff. The committee asked the superintendent and principals to provide an implementation and communications plan and to identify any capital or one-time supply costs before the change takes effect.

Next steps: the superintendent will prepare a rollout plan and an inventory of materials or capital needs tied to yearlong course offerings, and will report back to the committee to allow follow-up conversation and, if needed, bargaining with employee groups.","On Feb. 27 the Holliston School Committee voted 6–1 to implement an AB (alternating-day) version of the district's existing block schedule at Holliston High School, directing the superintendent to begin implementation while reserving bargaining rights.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School Committee ratifies maintenance technicians unit contract (2024'27)

District expands inclusion and transition programs; student-services team plans community bridge and business internships

Parents and tutors urge schedule change and restored middle-school math leveling

Holliston administrators report midyear gains in literacy and math, flag attendance concerns

Holliston School Committee votes to implement AB schedule at high school