Holyoke School Committee Meeting, November 20, 2023

DATE: November 20, 2023

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/85266232176?pwd=ci9tWEs3cG81SkQxdXZrWW5GenBXQT09 

(Spanish Interpretation will be available).  

On March 29, 2023, Governor Healey signed into law An Act Relative to Extending Certain State

of Emergency Accommodations, which, among other things, extends the expiration of the

provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2025. Specifically, this extension

allows public bodies to continue holding meetings remotely without a quorum of the public body

physically present at a meeting location, and to provide “adequate, alternative” access to remote

meetings. The Act does not make any new changes to the Open Meeting Law other than

extending the expiration date of the temporary provisions regarding remote meetings from

March 31, 2023, to March 31, 2025. 

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 NOVEMBER 20, 2023.

1. 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.
2. STUDENT SHOWCASE – Morgan 4th Grade Math
3. PUBLIC COMMENT- Members of the public wishing to submit public comments can email sgubala@hps.holyoke.ma.us no later than 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 20, 2023. Comments will either be displayed or read during the meeting.
4. COMMUNICATION & REPORTS:
   1. STUDENT REPORTS
      1. HHS North Campus
      2. HHS Dean Campus
   2. VICE-CHAIR REPORTS
      1. Abrazo Award for the Nations Hispanic Council (Tabled from Previous Meeting)
      2. Policy Manual (Section B)
   3. Superintendent/ Receiver Reports
      1. HPS Instructional Practices
5. NEW BUSINESS
   1. Student Rep Presentation on Testing
   2. Referral Data (Discipline/Behavior)
   3. 225 High Street Purchase
   4. Curriculum Change Process
6. ONGOING BUSINESS
   1. Approval of Meeting Minutes
      1. 9.18.23 Special Meeting Minutes and Regular Meeting Minutes
      2. 10.16.23 Regular Meeting Minutes
   2. Updates from Sub-Committees
      1. Policy
      2. Finance Subcommittee
      3. Joint City Council/School Committee
      4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Sub-Committee
   3. Attendance/Chronic Absenteeism Update (FYI)
   4. Middle school building update (FYI)
   5. Staffing Update (FYI – Includes impact on SPED Services)
   6. Out-of-State Field Trips (N/A)
   7. Student Activity Approval
   8. Teacher Retention Working Group Update
   9. HPS emails
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS
   1. DPAC meeting-Tuesday, December 12, 2023
   2. SEPAC- Holiday event – Tuesday, December 19, 2023 5:30-7:00- Holyoke Merry Go Round

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 to two (2) minutes.  Any person wishing to submit longer testimony should give copies to the Committee Chairperson before the meeting so that it 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 Chairperson 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 Shaena Gubala, in care of the Receiver’s Office, 57 Suffolk Street, Holyoke, MA  01040