Boston Public Schools

The meeting covered several critical topics, including the presentation of documents such as the budget update for the ESSER II funding and updates on the Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC) reform efforts. Key discussions involved the district's preparation for the 2021-2022 school year, including start dates, community engagement meetings, and health and safety protocols such as mandatory masking indoors and voluntary COVID-19 pool testing. Operational updates were provided for staffing vacancies across various roles, enrollment statistics, food services planning, facilities upgrades like air quality monitoring and AC installation, and transportation challenges, including bus driver shortages. The Director also discussed the relocation search for the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (EMK). Action items included the approval of grant funding totaling $77,941,811 and the appointment of Ernani DeAraujo as Co-Chair of the ELL Task Force.

The School Committee meeting focused on several critical areas. Key agenda items included the approval of amendments to the Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) Health Careers Academy Charter for SY 2018-2023, covering Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) A and B, and the accountability plan. The Superintendent's report highlighted student achievements, such as a BINCA junior winning a shoe design contest, acknowledged the generosity of Local 1952 for donating toys, and discussed the ongoing operational challenges related to COVID-19, including issues with state-provided pool testing and contact tracing, leading to district investments in additional tracers and nurses. The Committee also addressed school safety, forming an internal committee to review security materials and procedures. Furthermore, discussions covered workforce diversity statistics, the BuildBPS Master Plan leading to school reconfigurations, and a proposal to establish a native language instruction policy. The Committee voted to approve school closures for three middle schools effective June 2022. Financial updates detailed the close of FY2021 within budget, current FY2022 investment highlights (including new FTEs for custodians, family liaisons, and social workers), and projections for the FY2023 budget development amid declining enrollment.

The meeting agenda included the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, followed by the FY27 Budget Presentation focusing on school budgets. There was a segment for Questions and Discussion among the Boston School Committee members. The agenda also provided time for Public Comments regarding the Superintendent's FY27 budget recommendation and the closure of the budget hearing. The main meeting agenda covered the approval of the minutes from the February 4, 2026 meeting, a report on collective bargaining agreements between the Boston School Committee and United Steelworkers Local 2936 (Bus Monitors), including a Memorandum of Understanding effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, and a request for a supplemental appropriation of $1,046,178 for the successor agreement for FY26. Actions to be taken included the approval of grants totaling $6,021.00 across two funding lines.

Key discussions during the remote meeting included an executive session to address collective bargaining strategy related to the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors (BASAS) and an open meeting law complaint. Following the return to public session, the Committee reflected on the previous meeting's controversial comments and the need for anti-racism work, leading to officer elections where Alexandra Oliver-Dávila was elected Chairperson and Michael O'Neill was elected Vice Chairperson. The Superintendent's report covered condolences for community members who passed away, the return of high-needs students to four schools following agreement on safety measures with the BTU, updates on LGBTQ+ student support resources and COVID-19 guidelines, and announcements regarding upcoming Parent University sessions and exam school admissions information sessions. Action items included the unanimous approval of grants totaling $8,523,329. Reports presented detailed highlights of a tentative collective bargaining agreement with BASAS (for which a supplemental appropriation request is forthcoming) and the Office of Human Capital's annual hiring update, which showed significant progress in diversity hiring metrics, surpassing the Garrity threshold for Black educators for the first time in seven years. New business involved suggestions for community listening sessions and the establishment of a working group for mental health strategy.

This document presents a self-evaluation of performance for Boston Public Schools, prepared for the Inspector General. It reviews the organization's performance against goals established for school years 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024. The evaluation is structured around four key areas: Instructional Leadership, Management and Operations, Family and Community Engagement, and Professional Culture. It includes quantitative metrics to assess progress on goals related to literacy equity, student re-engagement, operational efficiency, staff recruitment, diversity in leadership, food services, family engagement, and accountability. The report provides detailed commentary on achievements, challenges, and identifies areas for continuous improvement, particularly emphasizing the need for enhanced early literacy initiatives, improved family communication, fiscal responsibility, and clearer accountability frameworks.