School Committee Meeting, January 12, 2026

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MEETING NOTICE

SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDA

DATE: January 12, 2026

TIME: 6:00 PM

LOCATION: Fifield Room, HOLYOKE HIGH DEAN CAMPUS, 1045 MAIN ST, HOLYOKE, MA 01040

https://hps-holyoke-ma-us.zoom.us/j/85287777627

Members of the public can access the meeting here:  

(Spanish Interpretation will be available).    

Today, March 29, 2025 Governor Maura Healey signed into law bodies to H.62, as amended by S.2506 (which contains the final form of the bill), entitled “An act Relative to Extending Certain Covid-19 Measures Adopted during the State of Emergency” (“ACT). Of interest to all governmental public bodies in Massachusetts, the Act extends until June, 2027, the authority for meetings of multiple-member bodies to be held in an entirely remote or hybrid format. All public bodies may hold fully remote or hybrid meetings, without the physical presence of a quorum of the public body, as long as “adequate, alternative means” of public access is also provided. 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 28 OF THE ACTS OF 2009, SECTIONS 17-20 (FORMERLY SECTION 23B OF CHAPTER 39) OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS, THAT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE HOLYOKE SCHOOL COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 12, 2026. 

• CALL TO ORDER ~ ROLL CALL ~ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

• Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 20, I am hereby informing all attendees that a video and audio recording is being made of the meeting and the meeting is being live-streamed and run live on the City’s community TV channel. 

• STUDENT SHOWCASE – McMahon Elementary School

• ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR

• PUBLIC COMMENT- Members of the public wishing to submit public comments can email ifeliciano@hps.holyoke.ma.us no later than 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 12, 2026

• Comments will either be displayed or read during the meeting.

 

5. COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS
6. Student Reports

• HHS North Campus 
• HHS Dean Campus

1. Superintendent’s Report

• Presentation from ELL Department

 

6. NEW BUSINESS 

1. Out of State Field Trips 

• High Meadows Field Trip

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept the out of state field trip to High Meadows, North Granby, CT on May 28, 2026. 

1. Out of State Travel 

• Matt Lacasse- SHAPE America National Convention and Expo
  • This is a national professional development opportunity that will improve my teaching skills and lead to beneficial learning for students.  It will give me a chance to learn best practices for P.E., get hands-on experience, and gain valuable insight from experienced teachers, including SHAPE Americas Teachers of the Year. Schedule-at-a-Glance 2026

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to approve and authorize out-of-state travel for Matt Lacasse, Physical Education to attend SHAPE America National Convention and Expo in Kansas City, MO from March 17-21, 2026.

• Deboralis Ramos-MASCA Spring Conference and Jenny Rivera-MASCA Spring Conference 2026
  • To attend conferences to enhance knowledge of school counseling, improve school counseling programs, and network with other school counselors to discover best practices in the field. Schedule MASCA Conference 2026

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to approve and authorize out-of-state travel for Deboralis Ramos, School Counselor and Jenny Rivera, Adjustment Counselor to attend Massachusetts School Counselors Association Conference in Framingham, MA from March 15-17, 2026.

1.  Budget Transfer and Reports 

•  FY26 Grants & Gifts Approval 

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee accept gifts and grants received and summarized in the report above. 

• • FY 26 Budget Transfer Report

• RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee refer the budget transfer to the Finance and Operations Subcommittee. 

• Warrant Approval Report
  • Warrant REG1125C, REG1125D, REG1125E, REG1225A, REG1225B, REG1225C, REG1225D, REG1225E

o   RECOMMENDATION:  That the School Committee vote to accept the report of warrants approved as listed above. 

1. 1. Order filed by School Committee Member Lubold requesting an update on the current status and functioning of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and the English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC). The update should include information on recruitment efforts, the support provided by the School Committee and the District to these councils, and historical participation data.

• RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee refer this to the Leadership, Accountability and Measurement Subcommittee

1. Order filed by School Committee Member Lubold that a report be provided that  outlines how the district is aligning work to the DESE Artificial Intelligence (AI) guidance.  The report should include but not limited to current use of AI by staff and students, how the district is addressing privacy, equity and academic integrity and timeline for aligning policies and PD with state guidance.
   •  RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee refer this to the Leadership, Accountability and Measurement Subcommittee 
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept and approve the meeting minutes of 11.17.25 School Committee Meeting Minutes.

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept and approve the meeting minutes of 12.8.25 School Committee Meeting Minutes.

1. Updates of Committees 

• Policy and Governance Subcommittee
• Finance and Operations Subcommittee
• Joint City Council/School Committee
• Leadership, Accountability and Measurement Subcommittee

o   RECOMMENDATION:  That the School Committee vote the recommendation of appointment to Anthony Soto as the permanent Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective July 1st, 2026, pending contract negotiations. 

7. ONGOING BUSINESS

1. Superintendent Search Update

• Question Compilation and Guide 2024 
• Superintendent Search Tentative Schedule

8. ANNOUNCEMENTS

• None 

 

The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.* The Holyoke Public Schools makes available a public discussion period for persons in the audience to address the Committee on specific agenda items. In order to hear as many speakers as possible, the Committee asks individuals to continue their remarks for two (2) minutes. Any person wishing to submit longer testimony should give copies to the Committee Secretary before the meeting so that they may be distributed to Committee members. The speaker can then summarize this testimony at the meeting within the two (2) minute time period. Persons wishing to speak should register with the Committee Secretary immediately before the meeting begins. Individuals who request specific items to be included on the Committee’s agenda should mail a written request fifteen (15) days in advance of a Committee meeting date to Irene Feliciano, 57 Suffolk Street, Holyoke, MA 01040