[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6661004,"mediaKeyId","2427398-6bbefc86e12e591881ee19622fa8c189","parentId",2427398,"title","Minda School students present \"feather wings\" community-learning project to Ashland School Committee","audioSeconds",110,"startMs",205000,"endMs",315000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2427398-6bbefc86e12e591881ee19622fa8c189&start=205&end=315","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2427398-6bbefc86e12e591881ee19622fa8c189/thumbnail_205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661004/Massachusetts/Minda-School-students-present-feather-wings-community-learning-project-to-Ashland-School-Committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661004-b2e301ee8a0f05cbf26c83efa507e7f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195652&Signature=lyDdkluVO9DBjdgzTszExUZ9lT33g239-KelwZOMeMo8FNeBavsP2YFGRRnBA8ssqcy3r~2La2f88TcsZhrY~XuIgWzhtfZQxSijFF~8zEbFnd-Q-5OwZTUkb2X0RWVq1LqSCUnP0t2SbVjSBRWfn~gId3Zd1pil26qmgnuuqYtbTngqMcuNP33V9-a1EqHjAC7u~9sLwfcJYmxhmi1Z21B~Xg1TekFCHMnbs~ijSBocmHrR8wXXkfbejg-tV0e-oabNbyTCXZ7JQhG1iu6rmGW91TOgAI73XJe2I~uEnHWYjYGDfhnzAd-UAIbQN7gvl9Yq9lOslXcvKiarNJNitg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashland Public Schools, MA","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","Third-grade students from Minda School presented the district\u0000School Committee with a community-learning project on Feb. 26 that culminated in a school-wide installation of decorated paper feathers.

Students described community learning as a monthly cross-grade activity that pairs third, fourth and fifth graders with different teachers to build relationships and try new activities. The presentation focused on a December project based on the book Wings; students said the book\u0000and their follow-up work\u0000emphasized that being unique is good and encouraged students to \"be true to themselves.\" After designing individual feathers, teachers assembled the pieces into a pair of wings displayed outside the art room; the wings serve as a photo opportunity for students and staff.

The students who spoke identified themselves by first name during the presentation: Danush, Janine, Emmett and Aubrey. Teachers involved in the project were identified as Mrs. Glenn and Miss Sumida; Mrs. Breaux compiled a video of the installation for the committee. Committee members asked the students questions including how community learning groups are formed and what each student most enjoyed about participating.

Why it matters: the project was presented as an example of the district\u0000community-learning program designed to build cross-grade relationships and give students exposure to different teachers and activities. Committee members praised the students and teachers for organizing a large school-wide installation; one student estimated \"probably about 600\" feathers were included.

Follow-up and context
The committee applauded the students at the end of the presentation and received brief answers to questions about how often community learning meets and how student groups are formed. The presentation was recorded on the district feed and will remain part of the meeting record.

Presentation speakers
Students: Danush, Janine, Emmett, Aubrey. Teachers and staff identified in the presentation: Mrs. Glenn (project organizer), Miss Sumida (classroom teacher) and Mrs. Breaux (computer teacher/video).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashland School Committee: February 26th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Third-graders from Minda School demonstrated a community-learning project centered on a book about individuality, culminating in a school-wide feather installation that students can use as a photo opportunity.","taxTitle","Ashland Public Schools , School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71426,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661009,"Ashland School Committee approves superintendent contract, moves $629,057 from school choice to operating fund; calendar tweak, consent agenda pass",677,1483000,2160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2427398-6bbefc86e12e591881ee19622fa8c189&start=1483&end=2160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2427398-6bbefc86e12e591881ee19622fa8c189/thumbnail_1483000.jpg","/articles/6661009/Massachusetts/Ashland-School-Committee-approves-superintendent-contract-moves-629057-from-school-choice-to-operating-fund-calendar-tweak-consent-agenda-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661009-bac337ef71c11f2d28516e7198752e11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195652&Signature=k-yNLHeQQSGbkteFEaekhDd8tHr3r9euZXSaeXwK9vPgzVk0JLNXGqZQlhUV9SeC7xg7iPt0sf2gOUQFOrYFU1wqs1Cs0WnWgdUSUsmmaht-WH~7hduQZXSVhYPy5ArolrmN0Yhobms8NcU5O6rQxaNALV3BcIZq6Ywx72JD7iwF4PN5NKPu2Ghv6-9ZCNv0WdnTCgxzBFAdgztaGV3d90ZMqhKxA042S4wgie10LildakWc2Augjn6ft8yABjlZb2vvhF~CC6TRzHeOwTc9w48Z7T5AxkulDefjwewFmFVvt-O40-JMIgonKs8s~SABkC08XnmJkMF6i-d5qysuVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashland School Committee on Feb. 26 approved a six-year extension of Superintendent Jim Adams\u0000employment agreement, authorized a $629,057 transfer from the district\u0000School Choice account to the General Operating Fund and approved a one-day calendar change and the consent agenda.

The committee voted 5-0 to extend Adams\u0000contract, which the meeting record shows becomes effective July 1 and was described by members as an expression of their support after an 11-year tenure. Committee members then considered a financial update and voted to shift $629,057 of budgeted salary dollars out of the School Choice revolving account into the operating budget to preserve revolving balances for FY 2026 planning; that transfer passed by voice vote with a 4-0 tally recorded in the minutes. The committee also approved a proposed calendar change (moving an early-release day from May 15 to May 8) and the consent agenda; both motions carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: the superintendent contract secures leadership through the 2020s school years and the budget transfer reduces the district\u0000dependency on one-time revolving funds this fiscal year while freeing School Choice balances for next year\u0000planning. Committee members described the budget moves as conservative steps while warning about longer-term funding pressures at the state level.

Superintendent contract
Committee members described the extension as an endorsement of Jim Adams\u0000leadership. The record shows the motion to approve the agreement and to authorize Chair Lori to sign passed on a roll-call vote with all five members present voting in the affirmative. Following the vote, members thanked Adams for his work; Adams said the extension was \"humbling\" and described district accomplishments as the result of a team effort.

Budget update and transfer
The district presented an updated FY25 forecast showing a roughly $1.2 million favorable variance at the time of the report. Budget staff detailed seven contributors to the variance, including:
- $500,000 favorable variance in special education salaries largely from unfilled ESP (paraprofessional) positions and one long-term vacancy (source: finance staff Chris).
- $444,000 favorable variance in instructional salaries primarily tied to retirement savings and unfilled teacher hires.
- Approximately $92,000 favorable variance in administrative salaries tied to unfilled positions.
- An $86,000 unfavorable variance in maintenance contracts, mainly fire-alarm work at the high school; capital funds were identified for summer repairs.

District staff asked the committee to approve transferring $629,057 from the School Choice account into the General Operating Fund to replace one-time uses of revolving balances and to leave a remaining contingency in the revolving account. The motion to transfer $629,057 passed by voice vote; the minutes record a 4-0 tally in favor with one member recorded as not voting in that specific voice vote.

Committee members asked whether the transferred funds could be moved back if a one-time expense arose before June; staff said yes, the district retains flexibility to reverse the transfer if needed.

Calendar change and consent agenda
The committee approved a proposed calendar revision that moves a scheduled early-release day from May 15 to May 8 so it does not conflict with the high school prom date; the motion passed by voice vote. The consent agenda\u0000which the minutes say included approval of gifts and donations, GRAMAs (records requests) and the Feb. 12 minutes\u0000was approved by voice vote.

What the committee said about finances and state policy
Superintendent Jim Adams and budget staff noted uncertainty at the state level, including personnel changes at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and tightening state finances. Adams told the committee he and other superintendents met with a state senator and that the FY26 outlook will be challenging; members flagged the end of some federal/state pandemic-era funding and the need for prudence in future budgets.

Votes at a glance
- Approve superintendent employment agreement (six years, effective July 1): motion passed, roll-call vote recorded 5-0.
- Approve transfer of $629,057 from School Choice account to General Operating Fund: motion passed, voice vote recorded 4-0.
- Approve calendar update (move early-release from May 15 to May 8): motion passed, voice vote (tally not separately recorded).
- Approve consent agenda (gifts/donations, GRAMA approvals, Feb. 12 minutes): motion passed, voice vote (tally recorded as 4 in favor).

Next steps
Staff will schedule a signing ceremony for the superintendent contract with Chair Lori and will continue budget monitoring through the fiscal year and during FY26 budget development.","On Feb. 26 the Ashland School Committee unanimously approved a six-year extension for Superintendent Jim Adams, authorized a transfer of $629,057 from the School Choice account to the General Operating Fund, approved a one-day calendar shift and approved the consent agenda.","actionData","errors"]

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Minda School students present "feather wings" community-learning project to Ashland School Committee

Ashland School Committee approves superintendent contract, moves $629,057 from school choice to operating fund; calendar tweak, consent agenda pass