On December 19, 2024, the Holliston School Committee voted in favor of new school times throughout the district. However, the decision was rushed, missed many critical data points and failed to address the concerns of their constituents. 

In 2024, community members overwhelmingly supported a 2.5% tax override to support our schools. We were told the override would provide transportation funding that would allow the district to adjust school start times to better meet the needs of the community. However, the decision made by the School Committee only pushed Miller’s start time back 10 minutes later and moved Placentino’s 75 minutes earlier with both schools starting at 7:40 AM, one of the earliest elementary school start times in the nation. The decision also pushed HHS & RAMS dismissal times back 20 & 30 minutes, respectively, ignoring concerns from students who consistently reported existing strains on after-school commitments with the current dismissal time.

The decision made by the School Committee left many families and students feeling inadequately represented. We are asking the school committee to reconsider their decision based on the following:

1. Survey Data showed Schedule B was the most favored amongst families and students. However, this option wasn't presented or discussed during the vote.

2. Meanwhile, the approved schedule (Schedule A) had the highest levels of negative impact for families and students. This data was not discussed or meaningfully considered during the vote.

3. The decision was based on a bus schedule feasibility spreadsheet that the School Committee failed to critically evaluate, leaving many safety and logistical concerns unaddressed.

4. The vote failed to consider the impact the approved schedule has on after-school commitments, not meeting the parameters put forth by the School Start Times Subcommittee. 

5. In 2019, School Administration deemed a 3:03 dismissal for HHS unviable, citing negative effects on after-school commitments, AP testing, sports, and staff schedules, among other factors. The recent vote, which dismisses HHS at 3:03, did not consider this 2019 report, leaving those concerns unaddressed. 

There are other options that could have been and should be explored. We respectfully ask the school committee to consider alternative schedules, including the one outlined below:

HHS: 7:50 AM - 2:38 PM

RAMS: 7:50 AM - 2:28 PM

Miller: 8:50 AM - 3:28 PM

Placentino: 8:50 AM - 3:25 PM

We believe the proposed alternative schedule more adequately represents the needs of the community, and better meets the parameters put forth by the School Start Times Subcommittee. The proposed schedule takes the following into consideration:  

1. Meets all parameters put forth by the School Start Times Subcommittee, including limiting impact on after-school commitments.

2. Prioritizes student safety by:

-ensuring buses will be on campus for each school at their dismissal time

-limiting the number of students and amount of time students will be waiting in the dark for bus pickup in the morning

3. Reduces the number of families, students and staff negatively impacted by schedule changes across schools

4. Dismissal times align more closely with current dismissal times and dismissal times of neighboring districts

While we support the idea of a later start time for RAMS and HHS, the decision made by the School Committee leaves many concerns and risks unaddressed. We ask that the School Committee considers a start time for RAMS and HHS that is as late as possible while limiting impact on after-school commitments and prioritizing the health and safety of ALL students, including elementary. We feel the proposed schedule fulfills that need, meets the parameters put forth by the School Start Times Subcommittee, and reflects the needs of the majority of the community as evidenced in the public survey data. 

Thank you.