Holyoke School Committee, July 21, 2025

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MEETING NOTICE

SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDA

DATE: July 21, 2025

TIME: 6:00 PM

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

Members of the public can access the meeting here:  

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

(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 JULY 21, 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 – None 

• 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, July 21, 2025. 

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

4. COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS
5. Student Reports

• HHS North
• HHS Dean Campus

1. Superintendent’s Report

• N/A

1. Vice-Chair’s Report

• Audit report updates
• Legal Counsel updates

 

5. NEW BUSINESS 

1. Superintendent Search Process

1.     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.

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  Annual Conference of the Reading League in Chicago, IL  from October 8th-10th, 2025.

1.     Budget Transfer and Reports 

• Grants and Gifts Approval

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee accept gifts and grants received in the amount of $538,715. 

• Warrant Approval Report 

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee move to accept and approve the payment of the following warrants, as previously signed by authorized member of the School Committee for REG0625H in the amount of $51,739.46 and REG06251 in the amount of $1,185,319.09. 

1.   Orders 

• Order requested by Member Whelihan: Request  Mayor Joshua Garcia and Superintendent Anthony Soto meet with the Joint School/City Council Committee to discuss the proposed Chief Financial Officer’s (CFO) job duties, specifically his/her role in overseeing the school department finances. 

 

1.   Approval of Meeting Minutes

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to accept and approve the meeting minutes of 5.22.25 Finance and Operations Meeting Minutes. 

 F.  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

• Holyoke Community Advisory Presentation Update 

 

•  A. Soto Evaluation Report from DESE

RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to receive the Superintendent’s evaluation as submitted by the Interim Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

 

• Student and Family Handbook (Draft SY 25-26)
• SC Draft – Employee Handbook SY 25-26 

 

RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to adopt the Student and Family Handbook and the Employee Handbook for 2025-2026 school year. 

 

• Policies
  • Discussions:   
    • DJE
    • EFC- Free and Reduced Price Food Services
  • 1st Reading 
    • ADDA- Background Checks 
    • EBB-First Aid (Safety and Security Plan)
    • EEAEA-Bus Driver Examination and Training 
    • EEAE- School Bus Safety Program
    • ECAF- Security Cameras in Schools 
    • ECAC Vandalism
    • EC- Building and Grounds Management 

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to receive recommended changes to above policies and recommend that the Interim Superintendent review recommended changes and post above policies for feedback/comments for two weeks.

• Policy Removal 
  • EBB-R- Safety and Security Plan
  • EBBC-Sex Offenders
  • EDE-Recyclable Material Policy

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to receive recommendation to remove above policies and recommend that the Interim Superintendent approve for removal of above named-policy. 

• New Policy 
  • EHB-Data and Records Retention
  • EHAA- District Security Relating to Technology
  • EFE-Civil Rights Complaint Policy for Child Nutrition Programs
  • EFD- School Nutrition Program Charge Policy

o   RECOMMENDATION: That the School Committee vote to adopt these new policies above and recommend that the Interim Superintendent post above policies for feedback/comments for 2 weeks. 

 

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS

• August 11, 2025 School Committee Meeting, William Dean Tech at 6pm. 
• August 13, 2025 DPAC (District Parent Advisory Council)
  •  Register in advance for this meeting: https://hps-holyoke-ma-us.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYodeqqrz8vHNYbt_lJbYsEryX9Q9gDABoO
• August 16, 2025 Backpack Event, Kelly School Field at 10am-3pm

 

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