School Committee receives reports, approves minutes and moves to executive session on negotiations

The Holyoke School Committee on Feb. 24 took several routine but formal actions: it received a Feb. 21 letter from the acting state commissioner about bargaining authority, accepted the district—irst‑quarter update, approved meeting minutes and an out‑of‑state field trip request, and later voted to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining.

The commissioner’s letter, included in the packet and read by the vice chair, confirmed the committee’s decision to maintain the existing collective bargaining team and encouraged the receiver to consult the School Committee during bargaining; it also said any tentative agreement would remain subject to ratification by the bargaining parties.

The committee received the district Q1 update and voted to receive the Metcalf working group memo and other items earlier in the agenda. The committee approved minutes from the Jan. 13 meeting and accepted an out‑of‑state field trip request; the presenter said further trip details would be provided by the requester.

Later in the meeting the committee moved into executive session under collective bargaining provisions. The motion to enter executive session was seconded and the roll call vote was recorded with multiple members voting yes; the committee did not announce a return to open session in the public record at the time the motion was taken.

Ending: Committee members confirmed they would continue regular subcommittee work (finance and operations, policy, and other standing groups) and that the receiver and staff will circulate requested documents and additional budget details in coming weeks.