[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6555568,"mediaKeyId","3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0","parentId",3310993,"title","Votes at a glance: school committee approves policy BGB, consent agenda and records warrant authorizations","audioSeconds",1026,"startMs",2315000,"endMs",3341000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0&start=2315&end=3341","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0/thumbnail_2315000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6555568/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-school-committee-approves-policy-BGB-consent-agenda-and-records-warrant-authorizations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555568-217742a79d1eaffddb4953f5d5b0b8e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090490&Signature=Rt9dHHSiDbqANOAmmSOaBO743OI9e~~pNJSPDfM15DJnnhMPX5znKkZsD~GLwiORwG~NPE15C4sgBQmGy6crufOvCE8Iz5bwe96SywOL5YS6KASVW498io6sGHoQRRTETBGKFmm53dKOxquKz6TbkqrNnnS8TK2JY-krzvQ4f~YwOfjJhtYBlTbA5crkxwapNoK9aIeLFzWCqek-sMHuYoNq~jLQuaU0dX-K6JmlbJ0XBUqyKHtBXESI7HHKSKp8i-YHeqaTLNDKuYKD908speIinAUZLLnRMg2HtLApemybIvpQmYcS7xGtWsbK2YxJZux9UYqv229SVLYdo5Qymw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashland Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-15T11:19:36Z","article","The Ashland School Committee took several procedural votes at its May 14 meeting, adopting a second reading of policy BGB, approving the consent agenda and hearing a report on warrant/payable authorizations for a combined set of district expenses.

Policy BGB (second reading) was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee recorded the motion as: “I would move to approve policy BGB policy adoption as presented.” Committee members responded with “Aye.” The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally.

The committee approved the consent agenda — which included gifts and donations and minutes from April 9, 2025 — by motion, second and voice vote. The committee recorded the vote as passed.

During the financial portion of the meeting Paul Kendall reported that he authorized payables by his signature between April 10, 2025 and May 14, 2025 in the amount of $939,198.39. Kendall’s statement listed the total and a breakdown: general fund expenses $649,228.73; revolving expenses $283,338.08; grant expenses $656,500.61 (note: the transcript sequence shows the grant figure but formatting was unclear in the record); and meals and tax expenses $76.84.

The committee’s meeting minutes list these procedural approvals; the committee did not record roll‑call vote tallies in the transcript, so approvals are reported as voice votes. No further substantive policy changes were made at this meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Policy BGB (second reading): Motion to adopt BGB as presented — approved (voice vote). Motion text as read in meeting: “I would move to approve policy BGB policy adoption as presented.”
- Consent agenda (gifts, donations, minutes 04/09/2025): Approved (voice vote).
- Warrant/payables: Paul Kendall reported authorization of payables totaling $939,198.39 (breakdown provided by Kendall; committee discussion did not indicate separate roll‑call approval).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee - May 14th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 14 meeting the Ashland School Committee adopted policy BGB (second reading), approved the consent agenda and recorded warrant/payable authorizations totaling $939,198.39; votes were conducted by voice vote and recorded as 'Aye.'","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},6555573,"Three Ashland teachers named to Flashlight 360 national growth list",94,617000,711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0&start=617&end=711","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0/thumbnail_617000.jpg","/articles/6555573/Massachusetts/Three-Ashland-teachers-named-to-Flashlight-360-national-growth-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555573-9c870460b963e83197484b60b2f937d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090490&Signature=QF1cpWNQd82WVzLEqlM51qqtT8M9Pe~vFn698cIKz~O03MucMXJxTk6Nv0fcIx-2QcGbruUY6j~zc0NIWcO7s~wAo3IGLDhgwDHjJlT7mH9AUQS0Jt3HYzgTFHcLPgABme7mC-QnFNTcHDU9UM8VqU1ln~iSY2m4z0O-6Kf1DJXgsNjqvjeIaJpmY35asC50DPAhHKgpx07TAHyuSeX01b0QejRnC-igZdF1L4dmQ-SMmgauxPlEdRPxgUWCcwmuI6-ViaCFFOV~ee7zRvjHKx5md6jQdWVJxTpSA8RwNkBN4dpukWsLoWYWD2A7LBaciNNyP7RXHlHeFhILe4lVtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashland School Committee acknowledged three teachers who were recognized by Flashlight 360 for high student growth, the district’s director of English language education said on May 14.

Christy Arnold told the committee that Flashlight 360 identified teachers whose students showed some of the highest gains on the company’s beginning‑, middle‑ and end‑of‑year benchmarks. She said three Ashland teachers—Polly at Mendez School, Tricia at Warren Elementary and Yolanda at Ashland High School—are part of Flashlight Learning’s national recognition list.

Arnold described the tool as one used by English learner teachers to provide speaking and writing practice and to help with progress monitoring throughout the year. Committee members congratulated the teachers and said the recognition reflects strong district practice for supporting English learners.

The committee offered public thanks to the recognized teachers and moved on to other agenda items.","Christy Arnold said three Ashland teachers—Polly (Mendez), Tricia (Warren Elementary) and Yolanda (Ashland High School)—were recognized by Flashlight 360 for high student growth and named among the top 100 teachers nationally for measurable gains.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6555578,"Fourth graders describe rotating jobs program at Mendez School",121,221000,342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0&start=221&end=342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0/thumbnail_221000.jpg","/articles/6555578/Massachusetts/Fourth-graders-describe-rotating-jobs-program-at-Mendez-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555578-2a87b2ce658a329b07c465909ed4bc0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090490&Signature=SUYFqe1-mbaHJkJBppgYvjHRA2HwAHhDfg4ZJtf-0SS-MWJ3bGmxHEpf1qFwwKaCvQrxTVlf1LwnWDXouP3fxR9kRa5PQpzBHkeCnBMasu~oLBXtDnHkU0Pr-MK1QJD~Kd7-knoyxkaQvA7urgW6FALU73Ct4Lj2R7Z56dtKbc5JBUSz7ysnZO6YaRidma8zDGjkcwzm8yQWaB0Gr-smlAdAlCK2GrTprL5CbZs-kRs5h9uaBMvCy9A3JXV1pR8tRyV-oAuCDqUZMGWZPHVaLb7UVL~01QM1sjjTihYntFoUg5iJb57AA-QEyMd4EA52ocuq4aptQcTMBOPfU1jx1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fourth‑grade students from Mendez School presented the school committee with a student‑jobs program designed to give pupils regular responsibilities and practice in workplace skills.

Students said every fourth grader is assigned a job for a three‑week rotation. The program offers five job categories: morning greeter, morning café crew (cleaning cafeteria tables), dismissal guides (helping students find buses and opening doors), bucket retrievers (emptying classroom trash to aid custodial staff) and commons organizers (stacking chairs and preparing common spaces).

Students explained the application process uses a short written application in which applicants list three preferred jobs; teachers then assign roles so classmates rotate through responsibilities. “Having a job shows that we are following our core values, safety, teamwork, always kind, responsibility, and shows respect,” one student said.

Presenters said the program is meant to provide authentic writing practice and leadership experience; third grade will take on courtyard and raised‑bed care next year, and fifth grade runs the morning news. Committee members praised the program’s emphasis on responsibility and leadership development and thanked teachers involved in implementation.

Mendez staff said the jobs are scheduled so classes rotate monthly and every student gets an opportunity to participate. The committee applauded students’ presentations and noted the activity builds community and practical skills.","Fourth‑grade students from Mendez School presented their rotating jobs program to the school committee, detailing five roles—morning greeter, morning café crew, dismissal guides, bucket retrievers and commons organizers—and how rotation and applications teach responsibility and writing skills.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6555583,"Pittaway preschool outlines parent‑engagement plan, language access and playground improvements",1443,1199000,2642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0&start=1199&end=2642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0/thumbnail_1199000.jpg","/articles/6555583/Massachusetts/Pittaway-preschool-outlines-parentengagement-plan-language-access-and-playground-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555583-64e0e413a6727a64545ce976a4a9ab41/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090490&Signature=Dn6kxlnsQtqpPCDJw1jetCCZ~1AVRWrdGsgWGE2WF5vF8b67xCYx261LsuhUCARaSqXj2lNNJ6Hp1jKGLkfvPzJhct4LgVClbehpqOI~ZHViSuA2lc2gxr8pOoONXojCYtH5z7Ej9HvpW0mNg2~I6OAPz7kjxoyYLD3OJBRDxcDvrsKT3Kl44rHU9dL9vNuiHuKDHMmz5qx8~pYqdU~wELI1kaQ3b5-WLTd406D2z91QHLAMJBrogCI2lvt-nf9pgGqovZ4eihqF~2Q9vNt80cstfybtmxO2JmC6QCnHIdNUnnA~X16qXxT6DenXt5Lmw6fq8HhO7fhwRpIjJEaaPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pittaway preschool leaders presented their family and community engagement work and a one‑year update to the school improvement plan at the Ashland School Committee meeting on May 14.

Sarah Davidson, the preschool director and special education coordinator, described parent coffees held in September and January, a Winter Wonderland family event, transition sessions for families moving to kindergarten, and plans for a community resource fair that would include library signups, car-seat safety checks and outreach from Ashland Recreation and public safety. The site council and PTO supported the events, and staff used surveys to target topics families want.

Davidson said staff provided takeaways and online resources (a “s'mores” newsletter) for families who could not attend in person. She said the RSVP form on event notices asks whether interpretation or language support is needed and the district has used ASL and other language interpreters when families request them.

The preschool is aligning its work with the district strategic plan. Davidson described data‑team work using Teaching Strategies GOLD (TSG) assessments to track child development and said the school will review assessment tools for future use. She said the program remains play‑based and that staff collaborated with district SEL staff to promote social‑emotional learning and emergency routines adapted for preschoolers.

Davidson noted a facilities priority: the playground surface currently uses mulch, which can limit access for mobility‑challenged children. She said John Murray in facilities has provided quotes and that the PTO and a BAA grant have supplied additional funds for inclusive play equipment; the school hopes to launch a longer‑term surface improvement or playground campaign.

Parent Jess (last name not specified in the presentation) told the committee the preschool’s outreach exceeded her expectations and praised staff for creating a strong community connection. Committee members asked about outreach to diverse families, the number and timing of events, childcare for evening events and use of high‑school volunteers to provide childcare.

Davidson said the preschool will continue to evaluate attendance and topic needs and try varied scheduling (morning and evening coffees, video resources, livestream options) to maximize accessibility. She also said kindergarten transition activities will continue and that the school improvement plan runs through 2026.

The committee thanked Davidson and noted her upcoming transition back to the special education coordinator role; members praised the program’s gains and community focus.","Pittaway (Pidaway) preschool leaders told the Ashland School Committee about expanded parent coffees, a community resource fair, language access for events and plans to make the playground surface more accessible; the presentation is part of the school improvement plan that runs through 2026.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6555588,"School committee approves Make A Wish Club out-of-state trip",447,733000,1180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0&start=733&end=1180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310993-d625e0112d3d65e6b7be1a95866733a0/thumbnail_733000.jpg","/articles/6555588/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-Make-A-Wish-Club-out-of-state-trip","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555588-51c206da05998f2c3ad01390b155fea3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090490&Signature=IM4oCLcz~6eSt8ycvctf7QD2iFd0Zi5w8IwP2l6cbG-w5aC9HBcRq8fkuticK0k59BnYzpH2jGj6X8z9xCrmwZq~bUijVeUhYtmNjO3daFKbIQ6i2N4lJolbiGXRo8hNTqyhiPkCyH5C1uwc16ZWU-q8chIWoGA0T~~RalozshyjKZ1ma~s6j-kJUoSnRuCx4uPXoTHL3Qberp3cG7NiU7kDXhSsF0L3fm3hQ3ySCzbFiHAQW7O-alU~QShwBtGuoFOJd0HNFHy7RbJL6DTM9cCXbmeuYj3FZa3sbrR0keSM1WkdujmIeOHZH7buoenqHi5jp1urNqILkOF4a2Am2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashland School Committee voted on May 14 to approve an out-of-state trip request from the Make A Wish Club for a November volunteer visit to Give Kids The World Village.

Committee members approved the trip as presented and said final dates are tentative and subject to the superintendent’s approval.

The student leaders who presented said the club has run the trip for more than a decade and described what volunteers do at the Village: multi-day shifts helping in the cafeteria and in accessible attractions so wish families can make memories while dealing with medical treatments. “It gives you the warm and fuzzies,” Hannah Roberts, a Make A Wish board representative, said of the Village experience.

Presenters identified the trip as a four- to five-day program in November and described how volunteers interact with wish families; students also said the club’s work includes accessible rides and in‑Village support for children with mobility needs. Club members said this would be the group’s eleventh year traveling for the program.

School committee members emphasized equity and outreach. One committee member said the club must ensure students who want to go can, regardless of family finances. The committee and a presenter said the district maintains a fund to help offset financial challenges for students whose families cannot afford the cost.

The committee’s approval included a statement that dates remain tentative and final travel authorizations will be completed by the superintendent.

The students and chaperones who spoke included first‑hand descriptions of duties and the club’s history; the committee thanked the students and chaperones and moved the agenda forward after the vote.

Votes at the meeting were voice votes; the committee recorded the approval as passed by unanimous voice vote.","The Ashland School Committee approved an out-of-state trip request from the district’s Make A Wish Club to volunteer at Give Kids The World Village; the committee noted dates are tentative and the superintendent will sign off on final details. Committee members also said financial assistance is available for families with need.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: school committee approves policy BGB, consent agenda and records warrant authorizations

Three Ashland teachers named to Flashlight 360 national growth list

Fourth graders describe rotating jobs program at Mendez School

Pittaway preschool outlines parent‑engagement plan, language access and playground improvements

School committee approves Make A Wish Club out-of-state trip