[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6269323,"mediaKeyId","3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295","parentId",3044141,"title","Holliston faculty, chiefs discuss walk zones, bus eligibility and Woodland Street construction ahead of fall start","audioSeconds",441,"startMs",5751000,"endMs",6192000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295&start=5751&end=6192","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295/thumbnail_5751000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269323/Massachusetts/Holliston-faculty-chiefs-discuss-walk-zones-bus-eligibility-and-Woodland-Street-construction-ahead-of-fall-start","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269323-9de70c21d5dd3e0817d2f4b7d89e58fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936167&Signature=T~4iSpPnFjPsTBzZSJgnk0bx8qLcxyjL-3b2nv-EUpcqgQmnoHUS8UscY7MB8RMT4MA6fhJ8V5d1r4gxViQ6zCPypbVRjepnRdYRmRJ~EsLXArblWgDi2ah20KnDry6Um9-pFn-lII-svImAj33XEtf6gvQW5csY-NNU1no8QFy~vJ~xiB4Yfu-qv6W1LgfCyUFxXq6lgRNCBzHIs7vf~SHS2HstXbzOk6YUKgstyCKR70GW6GQDGmao~L4qSYm4Apr3Ke067FHyALs9Kt6bRmT8JIPWazmcxXn2mVCCuMZQeWZzYZ4GMwPvX7jvtDYrYPe4mxzkwfsS8XLMmKTqnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holliston Public Schools, MA","date","2025-04-18T00:41:53.267Z","article","Holliston Public Schools staff described April 17 plans for revised walk zones, bus eligibility communications to families and on-campus traffic-flow work tied to a larger town construction schedule.

Staff said administrators and town officials have met to define walk zones and eligibility, and that eligibility emails and registration instructions will be sent to families in early May. The district plans at least one consolidated bus stop at the outer edge of an elementary walk zone to serve a concentration of families who otherwise would be eligible but live toward a perimeter.

Why it matters: Changes to eligibility and routing affect families’ morning and afternoon logistics; committee members asked staff to communicate early and be ready to adjust routes after families register. Staff also said they have consulted with public-safety leaders (including Chief Stone and Chief Cassidy) and plan further site work to improve campus pickup/drop-off and to prioritize bus flow during dismissal.

Construction and timing concerns

- Woodland/bridge project: Staff noted that a town bridge/roadwork project (referred to as the Archbridge project) is scheduled and may change traffic patterns near school start; dates discussed in the meeting indicated uncertainty and the potential for messy traffic during the early weeks of school.

- On-campus repairs: Administrators have requested quotes for short-term overlays and pothole repairs (as an interim fix) and are weighing higher-cost capital items (sidewalks and parking-lot work) against town plans that might require tearing out interim work later.

Communications and implementation

- Staff said two separate communications will go out: a spring newsletter with general start-time information and a family-specific eligibility email containing registration and walk-zone details. Principals will follow up with school-level, end-of-year presentations showing how the district used dashboard data to guide local decisions.

Ending: District leaders said they will coordinate with public-safety officials and the town’s capital planning cycle; they recommended families expect an early-May eligibility notice and to register for bus service if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee Meeting - 4/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff outlined new walk-zone maps, eligibility notices and coordination with town public-safety officials about traffic flow and curb/parking improvements; construction on Woodland Street may complicate early fall routing.","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":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},6269328,"School Committee updates high-school capital request to $23,600; committee to relay to finance subcommittee",64,4920000,4984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295&start=4920&end=4984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","/articles/6269328/Massachusetts/School-Committee-updates-high-school-capital-request-to-23600-committee-to-relay-to-finance-subcommittee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269328-f1e28f612276aacc87ca67d395053d75/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936167&Signature=DUZKqW2~0xhdDKY4rTEeHMo73ZMTE3WN4mTsOVWMZz6QWX55Xaz7rS0NdUCaINqtJIMVAaHDR60Fl6KPkxFXkH4LhigMIBGBFS95g~vSlm-5We742WT-vCIBklWFLGx1wlSx9eXY3PFkQ6NG3BG04j1eqCN4ff54vTYEPP4wqT58M30Qajr3G~P5XEiWnS283imlGZVAKNfbpEQ7JAaGtFcb4VDR1SUhrBCVfXyKi3o~atbW6WID8kP-EUBcL95eJ-iiDYMmueslSiazdgKOpLXMPMCTdEqkYPAT2Y40pDvhgwRTHSZnfEPRlvRhT2mhAKI-5f3f20oWCWYELB0oVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holliston School Committee voted April 17 to update its capital request for high-school supplies to $23,600 and authorized staff to relay the change to the town finance/capital subcommittee.

During the meeting staff said the previously planned materials tied to a schedule change were no longer immediately required and that other identified equipment needs—microscopes and other lab supplies—should be addressed sooner. The capital request was reduced from a higher prior total to $23,600 to reflect those changes.

The chair entertained a motion to update the capital request to $23,600. A committee member identified as Don moved the motion; a second was recorded. Committee discussion noted the town finance committee had limited capacity and that staff would search past appropriations for reallocation opportunities before the capital-subcommittee process in May. The committee directed administrators to brief the capital subcommittee and to deliver a line‑by‑line status update of prior capital accounts if requested by town finance staff.

Vote and next steps

- Motion: Update capital request to $23,600 for high school supplies.
- Mover: Don (recorded in the meeting)
- Second: recorded during the meeting (speaker not named on the record)
- Outcome: motion carried and staff will relay the updated request to the finance/capital subcommittee.

Ending: Administrators said they would provide a more detailed breakdown of the revised request to the committee and to the town finance subcommittee ahead of the May capital review.","The committee voted to update the high-school capital request for supplies to $23,600 and agreed to forward the change to the town’s finance/capital subcommittee for consideration.",{"_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},6269333,"Holliston committee discusses encouraging AP exam-taking, Seal of Biliteracy growth and financial supports",3214,1123000,4337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295&start=1123&end=4337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295/thumbnail_1123000.jpg","/articles/6269333/Massachusetts/Holliston-committee-discusses-encouraging-AP-exam-taking-Seal-of-Biliteracy-growth-and-financial-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269333-a523b41b66f8a9990282b7eaef8e7a5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936167&Signature=owbWsCrQQtnRJRuinY7KQJ-JLqXm5Yi8ldu7xfCdQD0yiaOX7AJlKf41uaf6sE6vLgCaU-yENh6BtCtucEzUSXI4bl8eKA723rgNW8otcRdUlPiCC75Bsv-V1nYRi5BrnTjBLWikGXhjAPPF6J9hofT-LCvwfF9XaSZLC68XHxgd88eS368mm9AaLhECnLRT5N9R3HquWg~MluCubWOzrowLCOUIJgusWy16RiDH5WseZU93-O5HFb8JMUbnSa1BdtSqJCfUMw824PApF~lNmN5OMIk4qEbYLqMOJIxzbfDo64e6dUJfyjvB8YRBH3-98gZlpmxPQvQvCIaSYt2PNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holliston Public Schools staff told the School Committee April 17 that increased Advanced Placement participation and Seal of Biliteracy growth are producing positive trends but raised implementation questions about exam-taking and financial support.

District presenters said AP course enrollments and AP Scholar recognitions increased in recent years and that AP exam participation is the single largest driver for several national rankings. They reported an increase in AP scholars (presentation slides cited roughly 40 AP Scholars and multiple levels of distinction) and said the high school’s rank on some national lists improved versus prior published cohorts.

Why it matters: Committee members and administrators discussed whether students enrolled in an AP course should be required to take the corresponding AP exam (or have the AP exam count in lieu of a final). Committee members expressed support for encouraging more students to take exams but cautioned that a requirement should be accompanied by a plan to cover fees for low-income students if the number of exam takers rises.

Details and committee questions

- Exam timing and schedule effects: Presenters noted Holliston’s trimester/term schedule can prevent students from taking AP exams at the conventional end-of-year time in some courses; the district plans a schedule change in 2026–27 that could let schools offer full-year courses and allow AP exams to be counted as finals in some cases.

- Cost and scholarships: A board member said taking multiple AP exams can cost families hundreds of dollars; members asked staff to research existing scholarship funds and estimate additional need if an AP-exam requirement is adopted. Staff said some local funds have paid exam fees historically but the committee should analyze capacity to scale.

- Participation and comparative rates: Presenters said that some nearby districts require earlier or broader AP participation; a cited comparative figure showed Hopkinton at about 81% of students taking at least one AP exam versus Holliston at about 64% (presentation slides). Committee members urged caution about mandating exams because a requirement might discourage enrollment in AP classes for some students.

- Seal of Biliteracy: Staff said the Seal of Biliteracy program has expanded; one presenter expected roughly 30 seniors to receive the honor this year versus 16 the prior year. Committee members noted a drop in French recipients in a particular year and asked staff to follow up with school language staff for a clearer breakdown.

Follow-up directions: Staff agreed to (a) return with a recommendation to the program-of-studies process if Mr. List (the high school principal) suggests a handbook change, (b) analyze current scholarship/funding available for exam fees and forecast additional need, and (c) include AP-exam-impact scenarios in future scheduling discussions.

Ending: Committee members signaled support for encouraging broader AP participation, asked staff for particulars on funding and implementation, and agreed the program-of-studies process and handbook timeline will control when any requirement could be implemented.","Committee members heard district staff describe rising AP participation and growth in the Seal of Biliteracy program, discussed whether to require students in AP classes to take the AP exam, and asked staff to study scholarship needs to cover exam fees.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269338,"Holliston reports gains in student growth after rollout of district data dashboard",2307,873000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295&start=873&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044141-c4940a1bf2a061273b4bf49424acc295/thumbnail_873000.jpg","/articles/6269338/Massachusetts/Holliston-reports-gains-in-student-growth-after-rollout-of-district-data-dashboard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269338-ddfdc764c8a8b4df1caf5fc324502132/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936167&Signature=SaMGD16FpUMJGrSQkweDjwJnxdyWSuMXczLbMalDZZ1fCP-3b8j5XEgF4RLVHrDPtDcYXaeqoOHjBw77t30JszfHxLvRAZpYLdHQ--WgoUG2WbzYHsyQqBBjRI2S-ImKh11qL3bWkP3HrWwgkmIL6~RpUJv2f22KTFJanczs0ZilTPXS~hQDhCpH5kjLiHq2RV9tlfFk19m~6Lm0U5vutxAarzY~XyLaFY3YLHbVEWeqeAu3VM~1t0LYOqw~7vaQHzmN5IJOjzOAtImyt5b4Rb3VvUHmshCYgtjE3Z5HwMgg82ow4wU8-bxwvOAk6SVDaLUAN7kFo1jsVL4nwIwssA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Holliston Public Schools presented updated district and high school performance measures at the April 17 School Committee meeting, highlighting multi-year gains in student growth percentiles and new tools for monitoring results.

The presentation, led by district staff (identified in the meeting as Dan and a co-presenter), reviewed a range of external rankings and state assessment measures including MCAS-based student growth percentiles, U.S. News & World Report rankings, Boston Magazine, School Digger and SAT results. Dan told the committee the district’s student growth percentile (SGP) for grades 3–8 had risen from about 45.6 in 2019 to roughly 59.0 in 2024 and that growth versus peers was a key focus for the presentation. The slide deck also showed the district ranked about 52 in the comparison set and Holliston High School at about 62 among Massachusetts high schools in the most recent published comparisons cited in the presentation.

Why it matters: District leaders said the dashboard gives schools and intervention teams quick access to ongoing assessments and progress-monitoring tools, enabling more frequent conversations about intervention groups, curriculum alignment and equity. “The dashboard is really a game changer for us,” an administrator said, adding that building leaders and intervention staff are using the tool daily to track progress and assemble targeted groups for remediation or enrichment.

Details and supporting points

- Growth focus: Presenters emphasized student growth percentiles (multi-year, cohort-based measures) over single-year “meets/exceeds” snapshots because the SGP compares the same cohort across years and can better show acceleration. The district’s SGP improvement was presented as a primary success story.

- External ranks and tests: The presentation noted that U.S. News and other rankings lag some recent data streams and that AP exam participation strongly affects several rankings. The district’s U.S. News national and state ranks shown in the slides reflect older cohorts that the presenters said should improve as recent trends (including more AP participation and other indicators) unfold.

- Data use in practice: School leaders described day-to-day uses of the dashboard: progress monitoring with iReady and IXL data, intervention-group management, tracking advanced-course enrollment and identifying gaps for students of color and low-income students. The district said building-based leadership teams meet regularly to interpret the dashboard and adjust instruction.

- Next steps: District staff recommended making the district-level, multi-source data presentation an annual fall item (October–November) so the most recent assessment and ranking releases (including MCAS, college-readiness indicators and national lists) can be included together.

What the meeting did not decide: Committee members pressed for more school-level, end-of-year reports showing how dashboard-driven actions translated into specific instructional changes; staff said principals would present those in end-of-year goal reports and that the May 1 curriculum/intervention presentation would provide more detail.

Ending: District leaders said the dashboard rollout is in year one and will be refined over time. They asked committee members and the public to submit any specific requests for school-level data to include in upcoming presentations.","Holliston Public Schools presented a district data dashboard and a set of early results April 17, highlighting multi-year gains in student growth percentiles, mixed changes in rankings and a plan to move the annual district-level data presentation to fall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Holliston faculty, chiefs discuss walk zones, bus eligibility and Woodland Street construction ahead of fall start

School Committee updates high-school capital request to $23,600; committee to relay to finance subcommittee

Holliston committee discusses encouraging AP exam-taking, Seal of Biliteracy growth and financial supports

Holliston reports gains in student growth after rollout of district data dashboard