School Committee
Oversees Ashland public schools — sets the school budget, approves curriculum changes, and hires the superintendent.
179 items across 21 meetings.
June 29, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine call to order and agenda adoption.
📍 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the committee per public participation guidelines.
📋 Proposed
Committee will interview Denny Conklin at 6:00 PM and may vote to appoint him as Assistant Superintendent overseeing curriculum, instruction, and assessment district-wide.
📋 Proposed
Committee will interview Justin Cameron at 6:30 PM and may vote to appoint him as Director of Student Services.
📋 Proposed
Meeting closes.
June 10, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening and agenda adoption.
📍 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721
📋 Proposed
Open public comment period per posted guidelines.
📋 Proposed
Students from Mindess School present their Science Symposium work to the committee.
📋 Proposed
Committee recognizes retiring school staff members.
📋 Proposed
Committee will discuss funding sources for new positions tied to field rental operations.
💰 Unspecified; funding details to be presented
📋 Proposed
Vote to create and approve the Assistant Director of Athletics role.
💰 New position cost unspecified
📋 Proposed
Vote to create and approve a Facilities Maintenance position, likely linked to field rental revenue.
💰 New position cost unspecified
📋 Proposed
Committee to discuss reinstating the Special Education Coordinator position at the middle school.
💰 Position reinstatement cost unspecified
📋 Proposed
Vote to cut certain sports from the middle school athletics program starting school year 2026-27; specific sports not named in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of school department payment warrants.
💰 Amounts unspecified
📋 Proposed
Superintendent presents operational update to the committee.
📋 Proposed
Assistant Superintendent presents update to the committee.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of gifts and donations received by the schools.
💰 Amounts unspecified
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Individual committee members share updates or announcements.
📋 Proposed
Closed session to discuss collective-bargaining strategy on a memorandum of agreement (MOA) regarding the teacher evaluation process.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns.
June 3, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine call to order and agenda adoption.
📍 Ashland High School Library, 65 East Union St., Ashland, MA 01721
📋 Proposed
Committee will elect new officers and reorganize its leadership structure for the coming year.
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the committee under public comment guidelines.
📋 Proposed
Vote to create a named fund to support math education in Ashland schools.
📋 Proposed
Vote to appoint the Superintendent as the district's representative on the ACCEPT Collaborative (regional special-education services) board.
📋 Proposed
Vote to remove the existing Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment job description regulation, likely as part of a hiring process update.
📋 Proposed
Vote to designate a committee member to participate in the search for a new Assistant Superintendent.
📋 Proposed
Review and approve school department expenditure warrants.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent provides an update on district operations and initiatives.
📋 Proposed
Consent vote to accept gifts and donations to the schools.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Individual committee members share brief updates.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourned.
May 15, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening and agenda adoption.
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the committee per public participation guidelines.
📋 Proposed
Committee will review and act on the official job description for the open Assistant Superintendent position.
📋 Proposed
Committee will set the schedule for recruiting and hiring an Assistant Superintendent.
📋 Proposed
Committee will designate a member to participate in the hiring search process.
📋 Proposed
Committee will appoint Gerry Halfhide to the WACA (local cable access) Board for a three-year term, October 2024–October 2027.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjournment.
May 13, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening and agenda adoption.
📋 Proposed
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Leo Club proposes adding picnic tables to the Ashland High School courtyard.
📍 Ashland High School
📋 Proposed
Approval requested for a student service trip to Give Kids the World in November 2026.
📋 Proposed
Committee will review and potentially vote on the school choice policy governing outside students enrolling in Ashland schools.
📋 Proposed
Review of the Assistant Superintendent job description, including a memo from school attorney Valeiro, Dominello & Hillman, LLC.
📋 Proposed
Committee will appoint a member to the search committee and set a timeline to hire a Director of Student Services.
📋 Proposed
Annual performance evaluation of the Superintendent will be conducted.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of gifts and donations to the schools.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of school department payment warrants.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent provides a general update on district operations.
📋 Proposed
Assistant Superintendent provides a general update.
📋 Proposed
Individual committee members share updates or concerns.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourned.
May 12, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting opening and agenda review.
📍 Online (Google Meet)
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the sub-committee before substantive business begins.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior Wellness Sub-Committee minutes.
📋 Proposed
Sub-committee will review and revise the district policy governing how medications are administered to students during the school day.
📋 Proposed
If approved, revised student medication policy moves to the full Policy Sub-Committee for further consideration.
📋 Proposed
State-required every-three-year review of the district's wellness policy covering nutrition, physical activity, and related health practices.
📋 Proposed
Open agenda item for any new business or member updates.
📋 Proposed
Meeting expected to adjourn by 4:30 PM.
April 9, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening of the Safety Sub-Committee meeting.
📍 Ashland High School, 65 E. Union St., Principal's Conference Room
📋 Proposed
Public comment period at the start of the meeting.
📋 Proposed
Safety sub-committee receives general updates; no further detail provided in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Committee will discuss drone usage in an open-session agenda item — specifics not detailed.
📋 Proposed
Committee moves to closed executive session under MGL Ch. 30A §21(a)(4) to discuss deployment of security personnel, devices, or strategies; will not return to open session.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns at 11:30 am.
April 8, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Agenda review and adoption to open the meeting.
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the committee during the public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Ashland Middle School Unified Sports program will be presented to the committee.
📋 Proposed
Committee will approve a financial warrant.
📋 Proposed
Ashland Public Schools may take over management of field rentals currently handled by the town's Department of Public Works.
📋 Proposed
Committee will discuss the process for evaluating the Superintendent.
📋 Proposed
Assistant Superintendent will deliver a report to the committee.
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on whether Ashland will participate in School Choice for 2026-2027, affecting how many out-of-district students may enroll.
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 school budget; residents may comment before a vote.
📋 Proposed
Discussion on use or renovation of the AHS television studio in partnership with WACA (local cable access).
📋 Proposed
A board member proposal related to WACA (local cable access) will be discussed.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of gifts and donations to the schools.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of grants received by the district.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Individual committee members deliver reports.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourned.
March 31, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting opening and agenda review.
📋 Proposed
Opportunity for public to address the sub-committee.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Sub-committee will review and revise policies on physical examinations of students (JLCA) and administering medicines to students (JLCD).
📋 Proposed
Formal vote to approve the revised JLCA and JLCD policies and send them to the Policy Sub-Committee for further action.
📋 Proposed
Follow-up discussion on implementing CPR training for students in grades 5–12.
📋 Proposed
Open discussion for any new business or updates from sub-committee members.
📋 Proposed
Meeting expected to adjourn at 4:00 PM.
March 26, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening of the joint Select Board and School Committee hybrid meeting.
📍 101 Main Street, Ashland MA 01721
📋 Proposed
Joint presentations and Q&A on the FY2027 operating budget and a possible Proposition 2½ override — directly affects property tax bills.
💰 FY2027 general fund budget; potential tax override amount not specified
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting close.
March 25, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening and agenda adoption.
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the committee during the public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Warren School students present their writing alongside community volunteer Donna Shaw.
📋 Proposed
Budget override (Prop. 2½ tax-limit override) data presented by Paul Kendall — key figures for understanding potential property-tax impact.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes to approve a financial warrant.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent provides a current budget status update.
📋 Proposed
Assistant Superintendent delivers a general district update.
📋 Proposed
Review of student activities account reconciliations presented by Chris Mathieu.
📋 Proposed
Committee appoints one of its members to serve on the Driscoll Scholarship Committee.
📋 Proposed
Discussion of Ashland High School television studio use and potential renovation in partnership with WACA cable access.
📍 Ashland High School
📋 Proposed
Committee reviews joint Tri-Board meeting minutes from December and January.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of gifts and donations received by the schools.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Individual committee members share updates or announcements.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourned.
March 11, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening and agenda adoption.
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the committee per posted participation guidelines.
📋 Proposed
Lead Teacher Cassia Ashman presents an update on the LAUNCH program.
📋 Proposed
Preschool Director Amanda Curley reports on the Pittaway Pre-K program.
📍 Pittaway School
📋 Proposed
Middle school engineering students present to the School Committee.
📋 Proposed
Kieran Cade proposes a composting program at Pittaway School.
📍 Pittaway School
📋 Proposed
Committee reviews and approves financial warrants.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent provides a mid-cycle progress update on annual district goals.
📋 Proposed
Coming up March 11 — Superintendent updates the committee on the FY2027 school budget.
📋 Proposed
Assistant Superintendent delivers a routine district update.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes to accept gifts and donations to the schools.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Individual committee members share updates or announcements.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourned.
March 10, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening of the joint session at 6:00 pm.
📍 Town Hall, 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA
📋 Proposed
Finance Committee, School Committee, and Select Board will jointly discuss the FY2027 budget and whether to pursue a Proposition 2½ override (a ballot measure allowing taxes above the standard cap).
💰 Override could increase property taxes beyond standard Prop 2½ limits; dollar amounts not yet specified
📍 Town Hall, 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA
March 5, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting opening.
📍 Ashland High School, 65 E. Union St., Principal's Conference Room
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the Safety Sub-Committee during open public comment.
📋 Proposed
Committee reviews current school safety updates; no further detail provided in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Committee views a webinar from the I Love You Guys Foundation, a school safety program focused on emergency reunification procedures.
📋 Proposed
Committee enters closed session under MGL Ch. 30A §21(a)(4) to discuss deployment of security personnel, devices, or strategies; will not return to open session.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns at approximately 11:30 am.
February 25, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Agenda review and adoption to open the hybrid meeting.
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the committee per posted participation guidelines.
📋 Proposed
Ashland High School student representatives report to the committee.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes to approve pending financial warrants.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent presents the proposed FY2027 school district budget — a key driver of local property taxes.
📋 Proposed
Assistant Superintendent delivers a general district update.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes to accept gifts and donations to Ashland Public Schools.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Committee considers changes to staff stipend (supplemental pay) amounts.
📋 Proposed
Individual committee members share updates or announcements.
📋 Proposed
Committee enters closed session solely to review and potentially release executive session minutes from Oct 2023 through Jun 2025.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourned.
February 5, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting opening.
📍 Ashland High School, 65 E. Union St., Principal's Conference Room
📋 Proposed
Public comment period before the committee moves to executive session.
📋 Proposed
General updates to be shared in open session before executive session begins.
📋 Proposed
Committee will close to the public under MGL Ch. 30A §21(a)(4) to discuss deployment of security personnel, devices, or strategies at Ashland schools; no return to open session.
📍 Ashland High School, 65 E. Union St.
February 4, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine call to order and agenda adoption.
📍 David Mindess Elementary School, 90 Concord Street, Ashland
📋 Proposed
Residents may address the committee on items of public interest.
📋 Proposed
Committee to approve incoming gifts and donations to the schools.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Full workshop session on the Ashland Public Schools FY2027 budget — the key annual process that drives the school portion of property taxes.
💰 FY2027 school budget (amounts not yet specified in agenda)
📍 David Mindess Elementary School, 90 Concord Street, Ashland — Music Room
February 2, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine call to order at 9:15 am.
📋 Proposed
Joint workshop with Finance Committee and Select Board to review and present the FY2027 school budget.
📍 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA
January 28, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening and agenda adoption.
• Status unclear
Residents may address the committee per participation guidelines.
📋 Proposed
Ashland High School presentations — specific topics not listed in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Committee will vote to approve school warrants (payment authorizations).
📋 Proposed
Superintendent will present AP course/exam data for Ashland High School.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent will share a school budget update — details not specified in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Assistant Superintendent will deliver a report — topic not specified.
📋 Proposed
Consent agenda vote to accept school grants — amounts and sources not listed.
📋 Proposed
Consent agenda vote to accept gifts or donations to the schools — details not listed.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Individual member reports — topics not specified.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjournment.
January 21, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine call to order at 6:00 pm.
📍 Town Hall, 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA
📋 Proposed
Finance Committee, School Committee, and Select Board meet jointly to discuss the FY2027 budget and whether to pursue a Proposition 2½ override (ballot measure raising property taxes above the levy limit).
💰 Potential tax override — amount not specified
📍 Town Hall, 101 Main Street, Ashland, MA
January 20, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening: call to order, agenda review, and public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Vote to approve minutes from the November 25, 2025 Wellness Sub-Committee meeting.
📋 Proposed
Sub-committee will review and revise the district's student inoculation policy.
📋 Proposed
Formal vote to adopt the revised JLCB inoculation policy and send it to the full Policy Subcommittee for next steps.
📋 Proposed
Presentation on a proposal to teach CPR to all students in grades 5 through 12.
📋 Proposed
Open discussion for any new business or updates from sub-committee members.
📋 Proposed
Meeting expected to adjourn at 4:30 PM.