[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",5973369,"mediaKeyId","5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549","parentId",5844611,"title","Holliston professional development day emphasizes Tier 1 instruction, AI tools and MTSS alignment","audioSeconds",740,"startMs",4569000,"endMs",5309000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549&start=4569&end=5309","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549/thumbnail_4569000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973369/Massachusetts/Holliston-professional-development-day-emphasizes-Tier-1-instruction-AI-tools-and-MTSS-alignment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973369-6ca09c2f7975f67894b0f38e2292fff8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770491714&Signature=knLOGSKeqBv3x8yRRZy9ZNB9bbCT3QntYF62HN5v01AyAx7KIj4W1lGUtNlTveWNwz13AHmvLYQjCq22Fp49Wi9aIGvr2nFIsYSBi16clvqyw4sp2X~XtY~W5ONtjFtDMSu067w8GAamjTcgcHMs5aCbgISgPnjIghiyXuABrOFx8Ztr8L8JyBNOaKtOcp1htujeESclmxKyDz8sJaH0EABXxZq9-rcAQDSb0gU6vUrHUCmucA6xaPQmurrp9p-2jbtYuqJACqHIh4a9erp4s~-MQjDVZPb37tPQwnA7u4WAp-G0WHCXSLJRSwJQAW5Iyl2Z7jk4WwZPwwigqN-aDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holliston Public Schools, MA","date","2025-09-26T00:00:00Z","article","Holliston staff used the district's Sept. 12 professional development day to focus on strengthening Tier 1 instruction, aligning MTSS practices and piloting instructional technology, including AI-assisted tools for differentiation.

Administrators and curriculum leaders described a district-wide theme for the year: strengthening Tier 1 instruction. Elementary and middle-school sessions emphasized differentiated small-group math instruction, reading intervention strategies and development of standards-based report cards. Secondary sessions concentrated on assessment design (Understanding by Design) and executive-function skills for students.

Teachers and tech staff demonstrated a selection of AI and ed-tech tools, including Kami and other platforms intended to help teachers quickly create differentiated lessons or provide timely feedback. District staff emphasized guidance to ensure AI is used as a supporting tool for instruction rather than replacing teacher judgment: \"These are tools; they don't replace teachers,\" one administrator told colleagues during the session.

Workshops also addressed multilingual-learner supports; the district has planned a MLL curriculum review and brought in an external consultant to train staff on language-acquisition strategies and assessment data. Nurses, paraprofessionals and special-education staff participated in targeted sessions on medication administration, concussion protocols and AAC assistive devices.

The PD was described as a set of building-aligned activities designed to scaffold ongoing MTSS work and to give teachers practical tools they can use in classrooms this term. The district will continue the MTSS planning process and is scheduling follow-up PD sessions in November for building leaders and teacher teams.

Sources: district PD presentations and administrators' report to the School Committee on Sept. 25.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee Meeting - 9/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","District PD on Sept. 12 focused on strengthening Tier 1 instruction across schools, technology integration including AI tools for differentiation, and preparing for an MLL curriculum review.","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},5973377,"Special education director reports higher IEP rates, outlines MTSS and dyslexia action work",629,6041000,6670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549&start=6041&end=6670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549/thumbnail_6041000.jpg","/articles/5973377/Massachusetts/Special-education-director-reports-higher-IEP-rates-outlines-MTSS-and-dyslexia-action-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973377-26bb4f9d45d0ddd2fcffa1638d7e5a89/orig.mp4?Expires=1770491714&Signature=kpTMfuRicOSpDp2SQ4z-UCoXX9VE4EDMP3hfN8~SafA9rbHqmS9mxt5BWiePVuEVYUUTOw0rNdND-W49uPdNeCI5HCgoN1KjhtFqkFhYbLSU58iIxoivvSH6NFEgAAQGJ4dUlXb4y8KOb6civ1pxL2u-349rvglc-q8vke4wiA1DThBdXR1infn6eAAf9UlY0U-gLkc9rtL4Q9ioqrVY1q-J263weLGSzSEoWDxOIxAnFw6GniNTX85p8lYjW6wQ38KvaR8uYjI63xqXe3iESshC0cSMWOHI1FASMes4~1QphJZouiHTVSL9iTN0fOFtsUDtpSVxg3z8IFEXY5Oibw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 25 meeting Dr. Katong (student services lead) summarized early work in the district's student services program and highlighted several priorities: aligning MTSS districtwide, advancing a dyslexia action plan, reviewing continuum placements and improving transition supports for students leaving the district for specialized programs.

Dr. Katong told the committee that state reporting shows an increase in the district share of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) from about 16.2% in 2020 to roughly 20.4% in the most recent reporting period. She noted the district's disability categories are similar to other districts: the most common classification is specific learning disability (about 23% of IEPs), followed by health impairments (largely ADHD, about 20%) and autism (about 18%).

Katong described steps taken since July: classroom visits across all schools; meetings with CPAC (the district's parent advisory group); professional development on executive-function skills for families and staff; attendance at IEP meetings and meetings with families of out-of-district students. She said the district will convene its dyslexia action plan committee and that she plans to examine referral and IEP timelines, assistive technology use in inclusive classrooms, and the efficiency of service delivery.

Katong emphasized the district's goal to make students as independent as possible in inclusive settings and to examine whether some students currently placed out of district could be supported locally with better-resourced continuum programs. She also highlighted recent strengths: staff trained in Orton-Gillingham multisensory reading techniques, active principal engagement and a number of existing transition programs for students.

No formal policy or contract actions followed her report; the update was informational and intended to guide further operational work this year.

Sources: presentation and remarks by Dr. Katong at Sept. 25 meeting.","The district noted a rise in students with IEPs to about 20.4% and described priorities this year: aligning MTSS, implementing a dyslexia action plan, reviewing continuum programs and reducing out-of-district placements where appropriate.",{"_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},5973382,"Holliston's safe-and-supportive schools coordinator reports drop in chronic absenteeism, outlines sustainability plan",1004,1144000,2148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549&start=1144&end=2148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","/articles/5973382/Massachusetts/Hollistons-safe-and-supportive-schools-coordinator-reports-drop-in-chronic-absenteeism-outlines-sustainability-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973382-689a22f101996946967c61933f419dca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770491714&Signature=WVuPeu2VIOADFyhEyC58rMLVSkxnqOgjP7ANSsQtDlv8zxF1g4p3NCFU0DlmQoqmC1qT3~zjQVtS510TevToFPg5ecKl~pD1pk42qkSebeHm9ht~rd9~V~OlqzYiW-hVbmJPisHgK9yfmSFf-~Cyigo4-Rvl4k4haJqFH61fcKVT9QGSBk9oHyhrlk3kmbBq5uQGScOyodV2DGHcnVG-tqAnjp8pug4YhnP6wC9AXFPV88XpBuzbL4gDBStEJy1HX85kwixjSq7ycV8zA4zBRwf6c41lHiZ0CfZshrN6SM4zpD7RxAMPDT8DQw5vOlHlqEhoJbDwC4SOOUbw78WaeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeriel Vernay, Holliston's district coordinator for Safe and Supportive Schools, reported Sept. 25 that the district has seen measurable declines in chronic absenteeism and outlined plans to sustain and integrate social-emotional and behavioral supports across the district.

Vernay told the committee the district's chronic absenteeism has dropped 6.2 percentage points over two years and that every major student subgroup showed decreases. \"We have continued to show those gains here in Holliston,\" Vernay said, adding the improvement reflects coordinated teaming among educators, counselors, school psychologists and families.

Vernay described his work as an integration of SEL (social-emotional learning), PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports), trauma-sensitive practices and mental-health services. He said the district's aim is to build sustainable systems at the school level'not programs that rely solely on fluctuating grant funds. \"This work is about integration, sustainability and adaptation,\" he said.

Vernay described several operational items the district is using to sustain progress: a district safe-and-supportive leadership team with representation from each school; an SSP (school support personnel) professional learning community and monthly teaming around chronic-absence cases; and ongoing partnerships with agencies including MetroWest adolescent health and local HDAC (local substance-abuse coalition). He said the MetroWest adolescent health survey will run again at the high school this fall and provide new data for spring analysis.

Vernay also raised a funding concern: a grant that previously provided about $100,000 for SEL and mental-health work was cut by roughly 63 percent, leaving about $35,000 this year. \"My focus this year is about sustainability,\" he said, noting that previous years'funding levels enabled broader programming that may not be replicable at the reduced level.

Vernay reported other initiatives the district has implemented: coordination with the police on a \"Handle With Care\" notification process, expanded family workshops on executive-functioning and cyber safety, school-level integration of PBIS and RULER lessons, and a student leadership council to provide direct student feedback to the district. He emphasized the district treats \"safe and supportive\" as an ongoing way of being, not a time-limited initiative: \"It's not an initiative. It's a way of being,\" he said.

What the meeting recorded: Vernay presented attendance metrics, described continuing gains and urged a focus on school-level teams and sustainability in light of reduced grant funding. Committee members did not take formal action during the presentation; the report will inform upcoming school presentations and program planning.

Sources: presentation by Jeriel Vernay at Sept. 25 meeting, transcript of his remarks.","Jeriel Vernay presented data showing a 6.2 percentage-point drop in chronic absenteeism over two years and described plans to sustain SEL, PBIS and family engagement work despite a steep grant cut.",{"_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},5973387,"Local equity group urges Holliston School Committee to center equity audit and strategic plan in superintendent search",291,805000,1096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549&start=805&end=1096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549/thumbnail_805000.jpg","/articles/5973387/Massachusetts/Local-equity-group-urges-Holliston-School-Committee-to-center-equity-audit-and-strategic-plan-in-superintendent-search","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973387-caac223704a2ec96b0a571c8a1f7ca95/orig.mp4?Expires=1770491714&Signature=FA-DYYtkxFW830eRrPbLq94P5yhboKCWHZJJ5xpHRi3QJITPV9iAcPJJdrDO94ElvNTLgGP5gZkPGwMmzJR-LKsaNBWR-n4Gl8vM4YS661m-DJ4rfc4jU3PC2~GUyvGx6rE27ARZRMCzgGf2Z1TkJhDQIkFQC81VhfDpfYdN3XYYbBuOfJtsOvGkiAaa~i3Kx~hMNhLXxKDJZUbPMnFutc-YqiWVlFAQ4tXqgVA4hrw8d2ziU0MOmMRjdup9pp5yF5NfvRWuYbBWb7sFp30y-exJdsNHRGQHi685zJSyEm25yzXAyfMYLi8ZfbWZbub0N1EQlu4iRVoizRuk8EzN3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 25 Holliston School Committee meeting, a representative of Diverse Holliston asked the committee to ensure the superintendent search centers the district's strategic plan and the findings of the district's equity audit.

Barb Worby, speaking for Diverse Holliston, said the qualities the town expects in the next superintendent are already codified in the Holliston Public Schools 2022'2027 strategic plan and in the district's equity audit. Worby asked the committee to instruct the search consultant to use those documents when crafting a leadership profile and to recommend hiring mechanisms and accountability structures that specifically address gaps identified in the equity audit.

Worby read a written submission the group had shared earlier with the committee and told the panel the search consultant's recommendations \"should include the mechanisms by which you will find and hire a superintendent who has experience and expertise addressing the specific gaps in equity that were highlighted in the Holliston Public Schools equity audit report.\"

Worby also relayed a comment from Kevin Fair, who requested she read his brief statement. Fair said he believed past district actions had not consistently advanced teacher diversity, and he asked the committee to make staffing diversity an explicit expectation for the next superintendent. Worby said Fair's children, who are mixed race, do not see themselves represented among staff at the Miller school.

Worby said Diverse Holliston planned to meet with two school committee liaisons to follow up and offered the group's local expertise as a resource that would not require additional budgetary approval.

What the committee heard: the committee allowed the public comment and acknowledged the written submission; the request asked that the search process and any hired consultant explicitly prioritize the strategic plan'identified values and the equity audit'identified gaps when building candidate criteria. The committee did not take formal action during public comment; the comment was recorded in the public record for the search process.

Sources: public comment by Barb Worby, Diverse Holliston, Sept. 25 meeting transcript.","During public comment the group Diverse Holliston asked the committee to require that the superintendent search consultant use the district strategic plan and the district's equity audit to produce candidate criteria and hiring mechanisms.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973392,"Holliston School Committee votes to hire HYA to run superintendent search, subject to contract details",2408,2699000,5107000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549&start=2699&end=5107","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844611-9a677cafe302e7b92da6537fb24ec549/thumbnail_2699000.jpg","/articles/5973392/Massachusetts/Holliston-School-Committee-votes-to-hire-HYA-to-run-superintendent-search-subject-to-contract-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973392-488a8830d47b3969a7d77f0bf6acc83f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770491714&Signature=VxXjLWDSbgm6cHsXAZNgX3vqg70OwZLSRnXaOJRhYuATt9Y4gxtcXPdBoCkdfmJ13pHYAPjeFbZAH1o2POJyQ~FeKaREw00q7yvC0kNDnT~97UDAX5w6m1avGVsxxeXvyomnuOiKEHUI0v9E1Ft3UQLTnB0Y-k-fsZ8f1qCB46XlhwuHPrLf-LTL7VH6KGDoPVVOaQOifTPuvDPIJ2LJa3VFNjnbmlMbGcQyANi7y9pU1cQ7YvgEzPS1JsCmbS4r-C9khf16d2DTcWtEu7US91ywfbkc5b2FMhGR6awWsh7sBphAge7JytXz39RYtHNLnZDKVguYDzqvnoIb7c3bkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holliston School Committee voted Sept. 25 to engage HYA to conduct the district's superintendent search, with the agreement described as subject to negotiations over final pricing and optional add-ons. The committee heard presentations from HYA and NESAC earlier in the meeting and then voted to proceed with HYA.

The committee framed the decision as the start of a multi-step process. HYA representatives described a four-phase search that they called engage, recruit, select and transition, and said their work would include in-depth stakeholder interviews, focus groups and a district-wide survey processed by their research arm. \"Selecting a new superintendent can always be a time where people get a little worried,\" HYA's Dr. Susan Guiney told the committee, adding the firm sees the role as a close partner through the entire process.

The nut of HYA's pitch was a combination of local presence and national recruiting reach; the firm said it would run a confidential initial screening, bring a slate of candidates informed by community input, and help the committee with scripted and unscripted interviews and transition support if a finalist is chosen. HYA said about 94% of superintendents the firm placed in the prior decade remained for a full first contract term and that many finalists are recruited from HYA's network rather than only applying online.

NESAC also presented a search model emphasizing deep community engagement and a network of New England superintendents to help recruit candidates. NESAC's presenter described a similar multi-phase process and outlined options for focus groups, in-person and virtual forums, and anonymous stakeholder surveys; NESAC said it intentionally keeps search teams small and personally involved. Committee members questioned both teams about price, the amount of in-person engagement, and how many concurrent searches each firm manages.

After questions, a committee member moved to engage HYA 'subject to negotiations'; another member seconded the motion and the committee voted in favor. The meeting transcript records the motion and a verbal vote in favor but does not include a recorded roll-call tally for that specific vote.

The committee directed its liaison and staff to contact HYA to begin contract negotiations and to clarify optional costs such as advertising packages and third-party due diligence. The committee also asked for a timeline that would allow community input (surveys and forums) beginning in October and a candidate appointment window targeted for January.

What happens next: the committee will finalize a contract with HYA (the vendor will return pricing and details) and then work with the firm to schedule the planning meeting, stakeholder interviews and the district survey. The search process will be public at the committee's direction, with confidential screening interviews for candidates handled as permitted by law.

Sources: committee meeting presentations by HYA and NESAC and the committee's Sep. 25 vote to engage HYA (motion recorded as \"subject to negotiations\").","After presentations from two search firms, the Holliston School Committee voted to engage HYA to lead the district's superintendent search, with contract terms and add-on costs to be negotiated.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Holliston professional development day emphasizes Tier 1 instruction, AI tools and MTSS alignment

Special education director reports higher IEP rates, outlines MTSS and dyslexia action work

Holliston's safe-and-supportive schools coordinator reports drop in chronic absenteeism, outlines sustainability plan

Local equity group urges Holliston School Committee to center equity audit and strategic plan in superintendent search

Holliston School Committee votes to hire HYA to run superintendent search, subject to contract details