[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6647781,"mediaKeyId","3845849-1ef7e61586297f0cce900b4eb8899792","parentId",3845849,"title","School committee approves Quebec trip, three MOAs and temporary hiring flexibility; several items tabled","audioSeconds",30,"startMs",415000,"endMs",445000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845849-1ef7e61586297f0cce900b4eb8899792&start=415&end=445","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845849-1ef7e61586297f0cce900b4eb8899792/thumbnail_415000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6647781/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-Quebec-trip-three-MOAs-and-temporary-hiring-flexibility-several-items-tabled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6647781-c2a49db36ceca112d4239b085876a22a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952816&Signature=UrC0ZzjK0zENQUgt29OihUTHGBgAzBpqPMVqJjBlrM8FoAOddLLia0uA~Jzrqvj8XWJq51DwCFOb~eM96JsTmA4YAgvRZJaUp~F25oA~mIz6~T0qgykvWHpoKF37jAGAPvkXwr3AFhKy6uRyb1m5UB1em0FBHsEw0vofxeSBB2Hpi-TnT2imYWS30mWOghFpD9ajYkjWgF9UrOdDFGtDT-N1BpCMm7vGKc17ffEXMbb8SSnl1QjOUPqeJ~GWqdx7Oo68MsvZibNmB5ymBW2wrpiHyStAqLOtSNolBZ1d1Uw2tEHzcUOAjF9Sqjr2rCb3oWdDT~5kCb7qIAy9sP6ygw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Easton Public Schools. MA","date","2025-06-16T17:51:35Z","article","The Easton School Committee voted June 12 to approve a February 2026 foreign-travel trip for students, to ratify three memoranda of agreement with the Eastern Educators Association and to authorize the superintendent to make limited higher‑step hires for hard-to-fill positions without prior committee approval.

The committee approved the foreign-language trip to Quebec City, scheduled for Feb. 14–17, 2026. The motion to move the travel item up on the agenda and the final motion to approve the trip were made and seconded during the meeting; the committee approved the measure by voice vote. Miss Michael, who presented the trip, described it as “essentially the same trip that we did this year” and said it typically coincides with the Winter Carnival and includes visits such as an ice hotel, circus school and the Wendat Nations Village.

The committee also approved three separate memoranda of agreement (MOAs) with the Eastern Educators Association that extend existing arrangements for the 2025–26 school year: a one‑year extension to the Unit B contract (including a 2.5% cost‑of‑living increase); an extension of the flexible learning block (H block) at Oliver Ames for Sept. 2, 2025–June 30, 2026; and an extension for the Richardson/Olmstead wind block for Aug. 28, 2025–June 30, 2026. Each agreement had been ratified by the Eastern Educators Association prior to the committee vote and was approved by the committee by voice vote.

On hiring, the committee voted to permit Superintendent Kelly Cabral to offer starting salaries above step 7 on the Unit A salary schedule in narrowly defined circumstances for difficult‑to‑fill positions or candidates with specialized/dual licensure. Cabral explained that the contract permits hiring up to step 7 without committee approval and that, after COVID, applicant pools have shifted; she said the district sometimes receives very few applicants for some positions and that highly experienced candidates can be “courted by others.” The committee approved a motion to allow Cabral the temporary latitude to make offers above step 7 without prior school‑committee approval and to report hires and the rationale back to the committee afterward.

The committee entered executive session under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to discuss collective bargaining strategy for the Eastern Educators Association (units A, B and C) and grievances; a roll call was taken to enter the session. During open session the chair announced the committee would table several agenda items—including personnel changes/retirements, the RFP explanation, breakfast/lunch fee review, policy first readings (AC and ACA), and approval of a grant contract with Great Minds—to a future meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Foreign travel: Quebec City, Feb. 14–17, 2026 — approved (voice vote). Presenter: Miss Michael.
- MOA, Unit B: extension to 06/30/2026, 2.5% COLA — approved (voice vote).
- MOA, H block (Oliver Ames): 09/02/2025–06/30/2026 — approved (voice vote).
- MOA, Richardson/Olmstead wind block: 08/28/2025–06/30/2026 — approved (voice vote).
- Superintendent hiring latitude (steps above 7 for hard‑to‑fill Unit A positions): authorized; superintendent to report hires and justification at a subsequent meeting.
- Multiple agenda items (5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12): tabled to next meeting.

The meeting record does not show detailed roll‑call tallies for the voice votes. The committee chair conducted most motions and called for voice votes; where recorded, seconding members included Loomis and Percio/Parseo. The committee chair also led a roll call to authorize the executive session under MGL c.30A §21(a)(2).

The committee’s approvals mean the trip planning, the MOA extensions and the superintendent’s hiring practice may proceed under the terms discussed; the superintendent is required to report back to the committee on any hires made above step 7.

The meeting also included substantive presentations and discussions on school improvement plans at Easton Middle School and Oliver Ames High School, and an overview of the superintendent’s summative evaluation process, all discussed elsewhere on the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Easton School Committee Meeting 6/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Easton School Committee voted June 12 to approve a student trip to Quebec, ratify three teacher memoranda of agreement and give the superintendent limited authority to offer higher starting salaries for hard‑to‑fill positions, while tabling multiple other agenda items.","taxTitle","Easton Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71295,"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},6647771,"Oliver Ames presents 'Vision of the Graduate', curriculum review pilot and late‑start proposal for next year",685,2245000,2930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845849-1ef7e61586297f0cce900b4eb8899792&start=2245&end=2930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845849-1ef7e61586297f0cce900b4eb8899792/thumbnail_2245000.jpg","/articles/6647771/Massachusetts/Oliver-Ames-presents-Vision-of-the-Graduate-curriculum-review-pilot-and-latestart-proposal-for-next-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6647771-9224608ad0d80c9a77f8dd53f069a922/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952816&Signature=akV6KgDvYHA89FI74MxrPxmag~Qugj7Iyc8WWYFAyYix6G~NxLQcdyZonhOXYgjNmkVw0rVwWVUufAJ1JQJEqIKUkQAv47rvCdZc0hf1PykXJp~KUBNhPMmOtWsMmhan3iR36U0o5iDq4ijMG2zzJBZH~Qr1j077SB0fHUrZmY98~aL9Z1L03y7gjD4U3CEEROesn9awRfw3ydPauFC0g50tkxyi31SuxSbZmMVHp9PbE2-8yY5kCyaKkKa8wHXR2a1TH-pEVC8tg-M61dand2j6Ud-jN3ejNOGGN-0G4RRPgB9Ihw5-7jCW0FLXeiaWLHmg8yhJeiLdpHOizJAfbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oliver Ames High School presented its school improvement work to the Easton School Committee on June 12, centering on a district‑aligned \"Vision of the Graduate,\" a multi‑year curriculum review process and a recommendation to continue monthly late‑start days for staff professional learning and student benefit.

Principal Susan Gamel (presenter) described a draft vision of the graduate that identifies cross‑cutting skills—communication, resilience, critical thinking and community membership—and explained plans to have students build a portfolio tied to those competencies beginning with the class of 2029. Gamel said teachers will identify existing lessons that meet the vision and students will begin to assemble work and reflections in an electronic portfolio \"that will go to colleges with them.\"

On curriculum, Oliver Ames will pilot a curriculum review cycle grounded in Understanding by Design (UBD) for four courses—one each in science, social studies, math and English—so staff can trial the review process, provide feedback and expand the practice to other courses over two years. Gamel said the goal is to embed the Vision of the Graduate standards into units and create more authentic, experiential learning aligned to the district strategic plan.

Gamel also presented a proposal to continue late‑start days for the high school: one Wednesday a month (with two in October and two in March), shifting start time to 9 a.m. on those days to give teachers an hour for professional learning communities (PLCs) and to provide students occasional later start times. She noted the plan responds to teacher requests for more than a 45‑minute window and to student sleep research; committee members supported the approach but no formal vote to change the base high‑school start time was taken at the meeting.

Committee members praised the focus on student voice and portfolios and approved Oliver Ames’s school improvement plan. The committee also approved the memorandum extending the H block at Oliver Ames for the 2025–26 school year.

Next steps
Oliver Ames will finalize its draft Vision of the Graduate after staff, parent and student feedback; launch the portfolio system for incoming ninth graders (class of 2029); and pilot the curriculum review cycle over the summer and fall with teacher professional development. Late‑start scheduling decisions will be coordinated with transportation and district scheduling prior to implementation.","Oliver Ames High School presented a draft \"Vision of the Graduate,\" a plan to build student portfolios and pilot a curriculum review cycle, and recommended continuing monthly late‑start days (first Wednesday of each month) with a proposed 9 a.m. high‑school start on those days to support professional learning and student sleep.",{"_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},6647776,"Easton Middle School outlines multi-year plan to reduce bullying and launch whole‑child reviews",636,726000,1362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845849-1ef7e61586297f0cce900b4eb8899792&start=726&end=1362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845849-1ef7e61586297f0cce900b4eb8899792/thumbnail_726000.jpg","/articles/6647776/Massachusetts/Easton-Middle-School-outlines-multi-year-plan-to-reduce-bullying-and-launch-wholechild-reviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6647776-dc0572f1301d1c668bf78b1524d4bd0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952816&Signature=DPhj5QRGX16XljACQFMybSGHhLncZ4neRW4w2EQhsfHeFqJTd4t1AsWa8xBUUHYrhp9ZnRAsn-PA45uHf12dVW97vh3tZW1vCZj-p79ie55vKVsNgg5UtyoxeQBLmB14zM0MQwKQf~q5YA4NhxcHbXUY7uyB4AFL0lNtiaBZOZva2q5-QJ8TcDsW4DYwgSl4bhzKezeRhpoftJLccgweRTroe6VICuKNxOIZc1fJeCi~V14R1zg1~aSdKSHz4V2XSgGrLMUQoofsOox1S70QsoZoxyEm9Zp-qeDL4evUJkXbMDtOY9TxWWfVoz-x779rKjW7UquKLREsTHK3f0xh8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Easton Middle School presented its 2025–26 school improvement plan to the Easton School Committee on June 12, with goals targeting student behavior (including bullying and cyberbullying), improvements in English language arts for the district’s lowest‑performing subgroup, and a new whole‑child review process for all sixth‑grade students by June 2026.

Principal Luke Carroll outlined a set of continuing two‑year goals and one new initiative. On behavior, Carroll said the school seeks to reduce bullying and cyberbullying rates identified in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and to expand character‑development materials across focus periods. Carroll described action steps already in place, including MTSS tier‑1 interventions, a video‑library curriculum for character development, trained student leaders, and a parent presentation on disciplinary practices and reporting.

Carroll said academic focus is on the lowest‑performing subgroup measured through MCAS accountability; the school is prioritizing ELA improvements for students who have been in the middle school for two years and noted current figures of about 40% meeting expectations in the relevant cohort. Strategies include regular data reviews, departmental data meetings, targeted interventions, adjusted special‑education services tailored to individual goals, and supplemental programs such as IXL reading.

The plan’s new initiative is a whole‑child review process for all sixth graders. \"By June 2026, Easton Middle School will implement a whole child review process for all grade 6 students,\" Carroll said. The review will use multiple data sources—attendance, discipline, assessments, extracurricular participation, 504 and special‑education plans—and the OpenArchitect platform to build student profiles that inform individualized academic, social, emotional and behavioral supports. Carroll noted OpenArchitect is currently provided to the district at no cost through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and district staff are working with DESE on contract arrangements for future access.

Carroll also emphasized belonging: after Youth Risk Behavior Survey results showed 25% of seventh graders and 30% of eighth graders reporting low belonging, the school launched a \"We Belong\" mural project, a rewards program, intramural sports and community‑service field trips to improve student connection. The EMS cultural festival and expanded intramural offerings will continue next year.

Committee members praised the whole‑child approach and the emphasis on belonging. After discussion, the committee moved and approved the school improvement plan for Easton Middle School.

Action required
The committee approved EMS’s school improvement plan by voice vote. The presentation identified specific follow‑up tasks: continue implementation of MTSS interventions, pilot anti‑bullying enrichment programs (contingent on funding from parent groups and donations), and roll out the OpenArchitect‑based review cycle beginning with sixth grade in fall 2025.

Background and next steps
Carroll said some anti‑bullying assemblies and parent outreach began this year and that the school hopes to expand enrichment and outside presenters when fundraising permits. The sixth‑grade whole‑child reviews will be developed during the summer and early fall with training from the state S3 academy and with district alignment to create a K–12 vertical system over subsequent years.","Easton Middle School presented its school improvement plan focused on reducing bullying and cyberbullying, raising ELA outcomes for the lowest-performing subgroup, and implementing a grade‑6 whole‑child review process by June 2026 using the OpenArchitect data platform.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee approves Quebec trip, three MOAs and temporary hiring flexibility; several items tabled

Oliver Ames presents 'Vision of the Graduate', curriculum review pilot and late‑start proposal for next year

Easton Middle School outlines multi-year plan to reduce bullying and launch whole‑child reviews