Holliston School Committee rescinds planned AB schedule for 2025–26, authorizes joint statement with teachers

Holliston School Committee members voted on April 10 to rescind a prior decision to implement an AB block schedule for the 2025–26 school year and to continue with the current high‑school schedule instead.

The move came after members said much of the student schedule work was already completed and counselors had been notifying students. The committee also authorized school leaders and bargaining liaisons to finalize a joint statement with the Holliston Federation of Teachers (HFT) about high‑school scheduling and discussed forming a schedule‑leveling subcommittee to start work this spring.

Committee chair Cynthia (School Committee member) opened the discussion on the high‑school schedule, noting there is a ratified schedule for 2026–27 and that the committee had to decide whether to proceed with AB for 2025–26. Members raised concerns about students who already had course selections entered and asked administration to confirm the impact of reverting to the current schedule. An administrator explained counselors would communicate with affected students and that most students would not need to redo schedules manually.

After discussion, John (School Committee member) moved to rescind the vote to implement an AB schedule for 2025–26 “so we can continue with the existing schedule.” The motion was seconded (second not specified). The chair called for the vote and said, “All’s in favor.” The motion passed; no recorded opposition was stated on the transcript.

Committee members also discussed the schedule‑leveling subcommittee. Hillary (School Committee member) said she and Sarah (School Committee member) will meet with Ron, Karen and Jariel to discuss membership and community engagement and that the subcommittee will report back at the next school‑committee meeting. Members noted two committee members are required for the subcommittee and that one former school‑committee member had already volunteered.

The committee reviewed a draft joint statement to be issued jointly by the scheduling subcommittee and the HFT. The draft had been shared with the union; the committee agreed to authorize the subcommittee and the named bargaining liaisons to finalize the statement with HFT input and then release it on behalf of the committee. A motion to approve the draft “subject to some edits based on HFT feedback” was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor.

The chair and multiple members emphasized that final implementation and day‑to‑day ownership of the schedule’s execution rest with the administration once agreements are finalized.

The committee approved the consent agenda and then proceeded to the budget hearing for FY26.

Why it matters: The decision preserves the current high‑school schedule for 2025–26, avoiding a district‑wide transition while counselors and administration complete student scheduling. The authorized joint statement formalizes communication between the committee, administration and teachers as the district moves toward a longer‑term schedule change in 2026–27.

What’s next: The schedule subcommittee will meet with administration and HFT representatives; the committee expects updates at its next meeting and signaled that counselors will notify students of any needed schedule adjustments.