School Committee adopts two policies 5-0 and votes to enter executive session on collective bargaining

The Harvard School Committee approved two district policies and later voted to enter executive session for collective bargaining during its Oct. 6 meeting.

Policy review: Dr. Katharine Covino presented Policy JFABD (Homeless Students) and Policy JFBB (School Choice), noting the policies align with MASC standards with minor exceptions and proposing a new two-week review period to give members more time to comment. The committee voted to accept Policy JFBB by roll call vote 5-0 (Move: Amy Morton; Second: Liz Joyce). A separate motion to accept Policy JFABD passed by roll call vote 5-0 (Move: Liz Joyce; Second: Amy Morton).

Minutes: The Sept. 22 minutes were approved without objection.

Executive session: At 8:11 p.m., Chair Abigail Besse moved and Liz Joyce seconded a motion to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining negotiation with the Harvard Education Association; the motion passed by roll call vote 5-0.

What was recorded in the public record: The approvals were recorded with movers and seconders and unanimous roll call votes; the executive-session motion identified the subject (collective bargaining with the HEA) before the committee moved into closed session.

Actions recorded: The committee’s vote tallies and mover/second records are logged in the meeting minutes and constitute formal committee actions.