Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School Board — June 17, 2026
The meeting featured sustained and spirited public testimony regarding music program cuts, though the Board remained focused on procedural resolutions and committee formation.
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At the June 17 Hollis/Brookline School Board meeting, several significant decisions were made that lacked prior public notice via the official agenda.
Most notably, the Board appointed three members—Holly Deurloo Babcock, Tom Solon, and Robert Mann—to the HEA Negotiation Team. Because this was not an agenda item, residents were not alerted that these appointments would be decided, limiting the opportunity for public input on the team's composition prior to labor negotiations.
Additionally, the Board moved forward with discussions regarding elective consolidation. Principal Hess has been tasked with determining which specific electives will be merged into a new Senior Literature Seminar. This is a substantive change to the Program of Studies that affects student opportunities, yet the specific details of which programs are being consolidated were not part of the pre-meeting notice.
While the Board did address the outcry regarding music program staffing cuts by forming a Visual and Performing Arts Committee, that committee is not expected to present a vision until early 2027. For families currently impacted by the loss of music and band positions, the immediate concern remains unaddressed. We are watching to ensure that future decisions regarding curriculum and personnel are clearly posted in advance.
Public impact
Loss of a music teacher position and a band director role
The Board voted to form a Visual and Performing Arts Committee to investigate long-term sustainability for the arts.
The new committee is expected to present a long-term vision for the arts by early 2027.
Topics discussed
Community members expressed concerns regarding the elimination of a music teacher position and scheduling restrictions for freshman electives.
The Board listened to testimony, and the Chair noted that community input had already influenced the Superintendent to keep the second music teacher position in future budget planning.
The newly formed Visual and Performing Arts Committee will investigate these issues further.
School principals provided updates on recent athletic achievements, end-of-year celebrations, and proposed changes to the high school bell schedule.
The Board discussed the schedule change and the elective proposal; Member Solon requested more detail on which electives would be consolidated into the new seminar.
Principal Hess to provide more information on elective consolidation for the Program of Studies presentation.
The Board deliberated on the formation of a committee to address long-term sustainability for arts programming.
The Board voted to approve the formation of the Visual and Performing Arts Committee.
The committee is expected to present 'A Vision for Visual and Performing Arts: 2026-2030' by early 2027.
The Board reviewed and voted on amendments to class size maximums and exceptions.
The Board accepted the second reading of the policy, including the removal of Capstone and AP courses from the automatic exception list.
The Facilities Director presented the long-term plan for district building maintenance and upgrades.
The Board was informed of the methodology used to prioritize projects based on facility audits.
The CIP will be updated annually; Member Mann will provide a copy to the CEAC.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Music Program Staffing and Curriculum
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
Accountability flags
Agenda items not discussed
Topics discussed — not on agenda
Transcript vs. official minutes
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gemma-4-26b, grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-07-09.
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