The Ashland Public Schools School Committee voted on Jan. 8, 2025, to adopt three policies on second reading and approved its consent agenda, which included gifts and donations, grant approvals and minutes from the Dec. 11, 2024 meeting.

Committee members moved and seconded approval of Policy DJA, Purchasing Authority; Policy DJE, Bidding Requirements; and Policy BHE, Use of Electronic Messaging by School Committee Members. Each motion was approved by voice/roll-call during the meeting. Committee members recorded as voting in favor during the roll-call exchanges were Marcy, Mark, Tina and Paul; the meeting transcript records additional unanimous “aye” responses consistent with adoption of each policy.

The meeting agenda listed a warrant approval; during the meeting Paul Kendall stated, “Between December 12, 2024 and January 11, 2025 ... I, Paul Kendall, authorized by my signature payables in the amount of $713,225.29.” He provided a line-item breakdown in the meeting: general fund expenses of $353,280.70; revolving expenses of $347,581.22; grants-related (grants) expenses of $12,101.74; and meals tax expenses of $62.26. The consent agenda was then moved and approved; the committee did not separate any item for further discussion.

Superintendent-level and district staff reports at the meeting included a reminder of a budget workshop scheduled for Jan. 25 and a planned presentation on competency determination tied to recent changes to MCAS/graduation requirements; staff said they would circulate the current policy in advance of that discussion. No committee action on the competency-determination topic occurred at the Jan. 8 meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Policy DJA, "Purchasing Authority": Motion to approve as presented; outcome: approved. Named recorded votes: Marcy (aye), Mark (aye), Tina (aye), Paul (aye).

- Policy DJE, "Bidding Requirements": Motion to approve as presented; outcome: approved. Named recorded votes: Marcy (aye), Mark (aye), Tina (aye), Paul (aye).

- Policy BHE, "Use of Electronic Messaging by School Committee Members": Motion to approve as presented; outcome: approved. Named recorded votes: Marcy (aye), Mark (aye), Tina (aye), Paul (aye).

- Consent agenda (gifts/donations, grants, minutes): Motion to approve as presented; outcome: approved.

Committee members discussed no substantive amendments to the policies during the second reading and raised no objections when the chair said the items were on second read and ready for vote. The committee then adjourned by motion and vote.