Education Options Review Committee, June 7, 2017

HOLDEN EDUCATION OPTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
June 7, 2017

6:30PM Memorial Hall

Present: Brian Allen, Tom Curran, Liam Dempsey, Tim Ethier, Christopher Larsen, Lauren
Salmon-Garrett, Susan Sullivan

Not present: Laura Puleo, Kristin Turner

Chair Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm.

1. Approval of Minutes - May 24, 2017
Motion by Vice Chair Allen, seconded by Ms. Salmon-Garrett, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
TO APPROVE THE MAY 24, 2017 EDUCATION OPTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES

2. Review of draft of Final Report
Chair Sullivan brought the committee's attention to Ms. Turner's summary of her visit to the
recent Mountview Middle School school council meeting. As with the school council visits to the
Holden elementary schools, the Mountview Middle School school council felt that the quality of
education at the middle school was "very high" and offered a "rigorous curriculum".

The committee discussed the Final Report content and format.

Chair Sullivan drew the committee's attention to the appendices as she felt it was important to
include supporting documentation (copy of charge to the EORC, amended Wachusett Regional
School District Agreement, School Town Lease Agreement, FY2017 Budget Information and
notes from meetings with the Holden elementary/middle school council meetings).

Major points of discussion:
● Ensure that the language of the Review of the Current State of Holden's Educational
Funding, Staffing, and Quality section reflect that the committee initially wanted to visit
the high school's school council meeting but was discouraged from doing so by the
district superintendent as students at the high school are referred to as district students
as opposed to Holden students.
● Ensure that the language of the Review of the Current State of Holden's Educational
Funding, Staffing, and Quality section reflect the frustration by the staff of Holden's
schools over the limited funding and resources they currently receive.
● Add a recommendation that the committee strongly urge the Holden Pupil Population
Study Task Force, voted on at town meeting to move forward with all possible speed.
● Recommendation #5 was reviewed and it was decided that the recommendation be
moved to the beginning of the section as a concern and not listed as a concern.
● Vice Chair Allen suggested adding a Recommendation 1B to indicate that additional
funding be provided to a bond stabilization fund for future new school construction or
expansion.

Mr. Dempsey left the meeting at 7:34pm

Motion by Vice Chair Allen, seconded by Dr. Larsen, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ASK
THAT THE SELECTBOARD PUT AN AGENDA ITEM ON THEIR SEPTEMBER 5, 2017
MEETING WITH THE FINAL REPORT BEING PROVIDED TO THEM IN ADVANCE OF THE
MEETING.

3. Old Business
No old business

4. New Business
No new business

5. Citizens’ Address
No citizens present for Citizens’ address

6. Next Meeting to be Scheduled
June 21st
6:30pm
Memorial Hall

7. Adjournment
Motion by Vice Chair Allen, seconded by Dr. Larsen, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO
ADJOURN THE JUNE 7, 2017 EDUCATION OPTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING AT
7:50 PM