Committee approves draft 2026–27 calendar, advances multiple policies after second readings

The Holliston School Committee reviewed and took action on the 2026–27 draft calendar and several policy items Monday night.

Calendar: Committee members discussed the distribution of professional development days, concerns about half‑day starts and childcare implications, and agreed by motion that the staff opening day will be Aug. 24 and that the last student day would be June 16 if no inclement weather days occur. Members discussed options to reduce half days and cluster professional development but emphasized contractual and operational constraints.

Policies: The committee handled multiple policy readings:

- JLCA (Physical Examination of Students): Presented as a new policy aligned with MASC and Department of Health regulations covering required health screenings (vision, hearing, BMI) and records to be kept by school nurses. Committee discussed clarifying the BMI acronym for ADA accessibility and linked state requirements.
- GVED (Staff Conduct Code) and related updates: Committee discussed revising gendered language and ensuring clarity around staff responsibilities; members noted the policy is intentionally broad and may need refinement.
- Tutoring for pay (GCRD/related): Committee approved the second reading and waived the third reading, approving the policy as revised to use gender‑neutral pronouns.
- Middle school pathways policy: Committee approved changes to spell out career and technical education and waived further readings.
- Social media / digital communication policy (J N social media and digital communication): Committee reviewed added language clarifying that while employees retain First Amendment rights, electronic contact with students should use district platforms; concerns remained about ambiguity ("do not disrupt the workplace") and phone‑number phrasing; committee approved the policy on the meeting’s revisions but scheduled additional review as needed.

Several policies were approved after discussion and second readings; others were scheduled for follow‑up refinement in the policy subcommittee. The chair said final versions and any PDF/web accessibility considerations will be resolved prior to final publication.