Holliston School Committee ratifies new high school schedule 6-1 amid teacher and student concerns

Holliston — The Holliston School Committee ratified, by roll call vote 6–1, a new high school schedule proposed by a scheduling subcommittee, moving the high school away from its longtime block model toward an eight-course rotation with a daily "X-block" intended for targeted interventions, performing arts and directed study.

The committee ratified the schedule put forward by the high school scheduling subcommittee that was sent to members on Dec. 30, 2024; the motion passed 6–1. Committee members who voted in favor were Frank (yes), Sarah (yes), Hillary (yes), Joe (yes), Dawn (yes) and Dan (yes); Cynthia voted no. The committee chair noted that the Holliston Federation of Teachers had not ratified the schedule as of the vote and that ratification by the committee does not, by itself, put the schedule into effect if the union withholds approval.

Why it matters: District leaders said the proposal addresses equity audit and NEASC recommendations calling for better access to performing arts, continuity in language study, increased opportunities for directed study, and more consistent intervention time. Supporters argued the design keeps students in eight courses and creates a structured X-block so students sign up for assigned locations rather than having an unsupervised free period.

Principal David List, presenting the schedule to the committee, said the subcommittee’s goal was to “address some of the issues that we face with our current schedule” and to add instructional minutes while preserving elective access. He described the X-block as an assigned location where students sign up for targeted supports, performing-arts rehearsal, senior project work or other structured activities rather than an unstructured free period.

Teachers, students and parents who spoke during public comment praised parts of the proposal but urged caution. Amanda Rivera, a chemistry teacher with nearly 15 years at Holliston High School, told the committee she voted no. “I love the block,” Rivera said, adding she valued the depth and hands-on lab time that a block schedule affords science instruction. Rivera said she supported addressing equity and access problems but urged more testing of the plan before ratification: “Before another schedule is proposed for ratification, that these questions be answered with data and a PowerSchool mock up.”

Rivera and other teachers pressed the committee on specific operational issues: whether the district has enough science teachers to staff concurrent sections under the new rotation, whether the district can afford additional textbooks and laboratory equipment if multiple lab courses run simultaneously, and whether there is sufficient lab space for classes like marine biology. Rivera attributed a calculation that the proposed schedule would reduce instructional time for three-term AP courses by about 3,267 minutes — roughly 42 class meetings — and asked how the district would preserve AP curriculum quality.

Students and parents also raised concerns. Several students warned that drop schedules reduce contact with teachers and could disrupt study habits and extracurricular participation. One student speaker said schedules that drop classes two or three days a week weaken teacher–student continuity and could lengthen nightly homework time for students who balance sports, jobs and family obligations.

Administration responses and next steps: District staff told the committee that the schedule was the result of multiple subcommittee meetings that included faculty representation and that some teachers did support the recommendation. The superintendent and principal said they will not implement the schedule without further labor agreement steps: “We did receive communication last night from the HFT that they did not ratify this schedule,” the committee chair said, adding the schedule’s effective date and operational details remain contingent on labor negotiations and implementation work.

The committee and presenters agreed to several follow-up items mentioned during the meeting: run the schedule through PowerSchool or similar scheduling software to surface practical conflicts; provide a clear inventory of textbook and lab-equipment needs and associated costs; and identify whether staffing changes would be required to keep course offerings and class sizes at current levels. Committee members discussed staging implementation over multiple years as an option if additional time and teacher professional development are needed.

The vote came after considerable public comment and a scheduling presentation that committee members described as part of an equity-driven effort to increase access to electives and interventions. The committee chair said staff and the administration will return with further details on implementation, and that the committee would continue to monitor bus dismissal timing and other logistical effects of any schedule change.

Votes at a glance: - Ratify high school schedule (motion to ratify schedule submitted Dec. 30, 2024): Passed by roll call vote 6–1 (Frank, Sarah, Hillary, Joe, Dawn, Dan — yes; Cynthia — no). Chair noted the Holliston Federation of Teachers had not ratified the schedule and implementation is contingent on labor agreement.

Sources: presentation and discussion during the Holliston School Committee meeting, Jan. 9, 2025; public comments from Holliston teachers, students and parents.