Holyoke School Committee, August 11, 2025

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MEETING NOTICE

SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDA

DATE: AUGUST 11, 2025

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 AUGUST 11, 2025. 

• 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 – N/A

• 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, August 11, 2025. 

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

 

4. COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS
5. Student Reports  – N/A

• HHS North
• HHS Dean Campus

1. Superintendent’s Report

• DESE Competency Determination Guidance

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to refer development of a Competency Determination Policy to the Leadership and Accountability Subcommittee. 

• Compliance with MGL Section 37P of G.L. c.71
• Draft SRO Agreement for 25-26 School Year

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to refer the SRO Draft Agreement to the Policy and Governance Subcommittee. 

• Update on Transitions Academy

 

1. Vice-Chair Report

• Delegate Nomination for MASC Conference November 12-14th, 2025

 

5. NEW BUSINESS 

• MSBA Accelerated Repair Submission

• Out of State Travel–

• Andrea Salvas – Director of ELA and District Coaches- will be attending the annual conference of The Reading League, which provides valuable opportunities to explore evidence-based practices. This experience will strengthen our coaching team’s toolkit with proven strategies that enhance teacher effectiveness and ultimately support improved student achievement. Reading League Conference Schedule

• Andrea Salvas- Permission to Travel Form 
• Mary McAndrew-Travel Form
• Maureen Dunn Permission to Travel Form
• Melina Palumbo Permission to Travel Form
• Stephen Monge Permission to Travel Form
• Julia Pluta Permission to Travel Form

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to approve and authorize out-of-state travel for Andrea Salvas, Director of ELA and District Coaches to attend the Annual Conference of the Reading League in Chicago, IL  from October 8th-10th, 2025.

• The Special Education Department is currently exploring a transition to PowerSchool’s Special Programs platform for managing special education student records. This system would align with the district’s existing use of PowerSchool for student information, enabling greater data integration, consistency, and efficiency across departments. Attendance at PowerSchool University provides staff with targeted, hands-on professional development to gain in-depth knowledge of the platform’s capabilities, implementation best practices, and strategies for effective data management. This training is an essential step in ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing the benefits of a unified system for all stakeholders.  PSU conference info and events
  • Special Education Directors- Powerschool University

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to approve and authorize out-of-state travel for the Special Education Department to attend the Powerschool University Conference in New Haven, CT from September 30th-October 3rd, 2025 .

• 2025 MASC/MASS Joint Annual Conference—widely recognized as the premier professional gathering for public education leaders across Massachusetts. This three-day conference brings together superintendents, school committee members, and education experts to address the evolving challenges facing our public schools. Link to Conference- MASC conference
  • Anthony Soto Permission to Travel Form

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to approve and authorize out-of-state travel for the Interim Superintendent Anthony Soto to attend the MASC Conference in Hyannis, MA from November 12th-14th, 2025. 

•  Budget Transfer and Reports 

• Gifts & Donations Approval

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee accept gifts and grants received. 

• Warrant Approval Reports

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to receive the report on the following approved warrants:  

• REG0625J in the amount of $1,157,279.99 (Regular AP Warrant)

• REG0625K in the amount of $1,016,024.28 (Regular AP Warrant)

• Payroll Warrant 26001 in the amount of $1,848,595.08

• MT-06-25 in the amount of $159.63 (Meals Tax Warrant)

• REG0725A in the amount of $100,153.20 (Regular AP Warrant)

• Orders 
  • Order by Mr. Devin Sheehan, That the School Committee directs the Leadership, Accountability and Measurement committee to meet with the superintendent to establish goals and evaluation metrics. 

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee refer to the Leadership, Accountability and Measurement Committee the establishment of goals and metrics for school FY25-26 . 

• Approval of Meeting Minutes

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept and approve the meeting minutes of 5.27.25 School Committee Budget Meeting Minutes

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept and approve the meeting minutes of 5.27.25 School Committee Meeting Minutes 

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept and approve the meeting minutes of 6.9.25 Special School Committee Meeting Minutes 

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept and approve the meeting minutes of 6.9.25 School Committee Meeting Minutes 

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept and approve the meeting minutes of 6.23.25 School Committee Meeting Minutes 

• Updates of Committees 

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

 

6. ONGOING BUSINESS

1. Employee Handbook
2. SY25-26 Family Handbook-Draft
3. Superintendent Search Update

 

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Aug. 14th, Ribbon Cutting for New Peck at Peck Middle School from 2pm to 3:30pm.

• Aug. 16th, “Backpack Event” at Kelly School (Field Area) from 10am to 3pm
• Aug 20th, H.B. Lawrence Back to School Event at Lawrence School from 3pm to 4pm.
• Aug 20th, McMahon-Back to School-Meet the Teachers at McMahon School from 3pm to 4pm.
• Aug 20th, E.N. White-Back to School-Meet the Teachers at McMahon School from 3pm to 4pm.
• Aug 21st, Welcome back to Pre-K/ Kindergarten Event at the Holyoke Merry Go Round from 4pm to 6pm. 
• Aug 25th, School Committee Meeting at Fifield Room, Dean Campus at 6pm. 
• Aug 26th, Morgan Pre-K/ Kindergarten Orientation at Morgan School from 9:30 am to 10:30am and 1pm to 2pm