Podcasts about school committee

Board of directors, board of trustees of a school, local school district or equivalent

  • 99PODCASTS
  • 1,064EPISODES
  • 1h 3mAVG DURATION
  • 5WEEKLY NEW EPISODES
  • Sep 29, 2025LATEST
school committee

POPULARITY

20172018201920202021202220232024

Categories



Best podcasts about school committee

Show all podcasts related to school committee

Latest podcast episodes about school committee

Medford Bytes
Mike Mastrobuoni, Candidate for School Committee

Medford Bytes

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 22:46


Today's episode includes a conversation with Mike Mastrobuoni, candidate for School Committee. For more information about his campaign, check out: www.mikemastrobuoni.com and on Facebook and Instagram @mikeformedford.Thanks so much for listening to today's episode. You can reach out to us by email at medfordpod@gmail.com, or follow us on Instagram @medfordpod or Facebook at MedfordBytes Podcast. Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Thanks so much for listening.

Last Night At School Committee
Boston School Committee: 9·25·25 Meeting Recap

Last Night At School Committee

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 26:19


The Boston School Committee held their second meeting of the school year last night, primarily to present a proposal to change the exam school admissions policy. This was the sole report of the meeting and much of the public comment surrounded this proposal. After the Superintendent's report, Member Cardet-Hernández pressed for updates on graduation rates and summer school outcomes. Superintendent Skipper noted those would come at the October 8th meeting, alongside official enrollment numbers. The district formally presented its recommended changes: Remove all school-based points, which Skipper described as confusing, inequitable, and less impactful over time. Reduce housing-based points from 15 to 10 points, aligning with observed differences in composite scores. Add a “citywide round”: the first 20% of seats at each exam school would go to applicants with the highest composite scores citywide, regardless of tier. Maintain the current four-tier structure, based on neighborhood population, not applicant numbers. Superintendent Skipper emphasized that these changes would ensure fairness, prevent inflation of scores above 100, and preserve the original intent of the 2021 policy. However, School Committee members raised important questions about the implications of the policy shifts. For instance, Member Polanco García pressed for plans to better support newcomers and English Language Learners, whom Skipper admitted still lack sufficient resources. Meanwhile, Member Rachel Skerritt sought clarity on whether the proposal preserves equity while creating a pathway for the city's highest achievers. She also noted the district's failure to deliver on earlier promises to strengthen rigor in grades 4–6, which was promised five years ago. Zooming out a bit, Member Cardet Hernández questioned why BPS continues to frame admissions around three schools instead of tackling system-wide quality, noting families' desire for options across all grades. And Member Stephen Alkins asked about the drop in projected Black student enrollment (from ~20% to 15%) and urged more transparency in data and grading practices. To cap it all off, Chair Robinson underscored the Committee's failure to improve early-grade preparation, warning that focusing solely on exam school admissions leaves thousands of other students behind. Clearly, members have many questions, and it is unclear if this policy change will meet the stated goals of clarity, stability, and simplicity. Exam School Admissions Policy Recommendation:What's Up Next?The Committee will take a final vote on the admissions policy on November 5th. The next meeting will be held on October 8th at 6pm. We look forward to connecting with you then! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
6-13-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 37:36


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
3-6-2025 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 27:58


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
2-25-2025 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 8:45


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
2-10-2025 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 51:55


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
1-16-2025 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 27:27


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
12-19-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 36:44


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
11-14-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 22:04


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
10-24-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 28:40


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
9-19-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 21:42


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
8-22-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 45:29


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
5-23-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 28:38


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
5-15-2025 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 30:52


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
4-11-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 97:39


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
2-29-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 29:55


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
2-15-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 8:01


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
2-1-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 84:37


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
1-11-2024 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 20:39


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
12-14-2023 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 60:30


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
11-30-2023 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 69:50


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
11-2-2023 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 26:50


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
10-19-2023 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 38:19


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
4-17-2025 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 31:43


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
8-28-2025 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 24:58


AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast
9-24-2025 - AWRSD School Committee Meeting

AWRSD School Committee Meetings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 23:06


Medford Bytes
Dr Lisa Kingsley

Medford Bytes

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 27:13


Today's episode includes a conversation with Lisa Kingsley candidate for School Committee. For more information about her campaign, check out the following links:website: https://www.electlisakingsley.com/ donation: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/electlisakingsley FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579062952124Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaformedford/Thank you

Last Night At School Committee
Boston School Committee: 9·10·25 Meeting Recap

Last Night At School Committee

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 34:42


Last Night at School Committee – September 10, 2025 The Boston School Committee met last night for its first meeting of the school year. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, from the district's back-to-school updates to the ongoing discussion of the exam school admissions policy. Here's a recap of what happened: Mayor Wu Makes a Surprise Appearance:  Mayor Michelle Wu kicked off the meeting with a heartfelt welcome to the Boston school community. The Mayor touched upon some major areas of improvement for the district, including better transportation arrival times. The Mayor and Superintendent complimented each other for their partnership in overcoming enduring challenges across the system.  Superintendent Mary Skipper began her report with a comprehensive overview of how the first days of school have been going. She highlighted some key areas and spoke to some important data points that illuminate both weaknesses and strengths throughout BPS Enrollment Numbers: As of the first week of school, enrollment was just over 48,000 students, with 2,400 new registrations since June. However, the district cautioned that enrollment numbers would fluctuate, especially as the district waits for students to report. Attendance: The first day attendance was 78.8%, a two-point increase from the previous year. By the end of the week, that number rose to 79.8%, showing steady improvement. Yet, this is still alarming as it means that 1/5 children are not showing up to their school. Transportation: The district touted its best-ever on-time performance for school buses. While the numbers are up, 3 out of 10 kids are still arriving late to school, which remains a significant issue, considering the $188 million spent on school transportation. For comparison, other districts like Newark, New Jersey, spend $105 million less for similar levels of service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Medford Bytes
Jessica Parks, Candidate for School Committee

Medford Bytes

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 28:30


Thanks so much for listening to today's episode. You can reach out to us by email at medfordpod@gmail.com, or follow us on Instagram @medfordpod or Facebook at MedfordBytes Podcast. Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Thanks so much for listening.

Monday Night Talk
Monday Night Talk - 959FM WATD; August 25, 2025 Radio Show

Monday Night Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2025 105:28


Welcome to Monday Night Talk podcast for August 25, 2025! Guests and topics for this podcast includes the State House Report with State Representative Dave DeCoste. The conversation with Rep DeCoste will focus on possible 9C cuts the Governor may propose, a House version of the cellphone ban in schools plus the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's implementation of a weighted lottery system for admissions to vocational schools in the state. Jorge Vega, who serves as a Ward 1 School Committee member, will discuss the upcoming Brockton election and his bid for re-election. Richard Ripley, a Brockton mayoral candidate talks about his campaign and the key issues in the race. Duncan Gray, host of WATD's Eldred's Antique Hour stops to share insight on owning an appraisal business, working with Eldred's Auctioneers & Appraisers and the start of the radio show. Monday Night Talk is proudly sponsored by Tiny & Sons Glass, Old Colony Planning Council, Alcoholics Anonymous and the Committee to Elect Jean Bradley Derenoncourt Do you have a topic for a future show or info on an upcoming community event? Email us at mondaynighttalk@gmail.com If you're a fan of the show and enjoy our segments, you can either download your favorite segment from this site or subscribe to our podcasts through iTunes & Spotify today!  Monday Night Talk with Kevin Tocci, Copyright © 2025.

Franklin (MA) Matters
FM #1501 - Chalkboard Chat - 08/28/25

Franklin (MA) Matters

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2025 30:46


This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio studio Thursday, August 28, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of August 26, 2025. We cover Excitement among the teachers and school personnel as they all make the final preparations for the redistricting to open with schools on Tuesday, Sep 2. Minor tweaks to some of the bus routes, stops will be notified shortly. 56 personnel hired this summer, 2 teacher openings, 13 ESP's openings remain and some nonunion positions too, work is still underway attempting to fill the positionsHandbook significant changes, only a few were made and needed to be discussed. There is only one elementary handbook now for the 4 schools in the 2 buildings. All the handbooks were approved unanimously in separate votes (ECDC, elementary, middle and high school)Voted to create a subcommittee to expand upon how to honor the legacy of Horace Mann, beyond the naming of the campus where ECDC, the Middle School and High School are now located on Oak St. The campus naming was a second vote as the two items were related and there was good discussion among the committee as to the scope and objectives of the proposed (now approved) committee. Members of the full SchCmte will notify the Chair of their interest. The Chair will confirm, the subcommittee will craft a scope and objectives doc for the full committee to approve. Members of the community including the Historical Commission and other such stakeholders will be involved.The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let's listen in.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/EWVb7O-b_ag?&t=67 Meeting agenda -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5979277/SCAGENDA_8-26-25.pdf Meeting packet folder (items released for the meeting, in some cases posted a day or two after the meeting) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-26%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/846929 My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/14VB3GuDdCAG-U80a3pT3nIp5GSZZhUSJ/view?usp=drive_link -------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.How can you help?If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me...

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC74 - School Committee 8/19/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 74:23


finance subcommittee 8/20 SC74 - School Committee 8/19/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC75 - School Committee 8/20/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 100:37


SC75 - School Committee 8/20/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC73 - School Committee 8/6/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 68:35


finance subcommittee SC73 - School Committee 8/6/25

Franklin (MA) Matters
FM #1494 - Chalkboard Chat - 08/14/25

Franklin (MA) Matters

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2025 26:06


This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, August 14, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap both the School Committee meeting of August 12, 2025. We cover Summer Learning Review - Paula Marano & Patty Gay, updates on lifelong learning, as well as extended school - link to album which captured the slides shared found https://photos.app.goo.gl/WwFUYqSSqCrzx6gH8 Summer Move Update - Colin Boisvert - great detail, well organized, there is a whole lot happening across the redistricting move efforts, getting rooms and building ready, signs completed (shared here earlier), transportation updates due next week via bus routes, bus stops, additional drop off, pick up info also scheduled from principals. Photo album of the slides https://photos.app.goo.gl/JRbK3Ez1K9yxjCAX9 2024 Annual Report Draft Review - discussed verbally, no doc shared, feedback due back to Supt Giguere soonCommunity engagement, budget, candidatesThe recording runs about 26 minutes, so let's listen in.--------------Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RElB5OknJg Meeting agenda doc ->https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851 Meeting packet folder contains the docs released before and after the meeting -> https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-12%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/842818 My notes in one PDF doc -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CsjvTsjM0u3b3Qs_pJUcNlGr8falxQ03/view?usp=drive_link-------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.How can you help?If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We'll share, and show you what, and how we do what we doThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.For additional information, please visit

Franklin (MA) Matters
FM #1488 - Town Clerk on the Biennial Election 2025 - 07/31/25

Franklin (MA) Matters

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 27:06


This session shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello and Deputy Town Clerk Dyan Fitzgerald about the 2025 Biennial Election to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Our conversation covers:Candidate nomination papers available as of August 4 during office hours in Clerk's OfficeAppointment requestedCandidate nomination papers due back by Sept 15Withdrawal if needed, completed by Sep 22Last day to register to vote is October 25Early voting schedule to be published laterOffice closed on Tuesday November 4 to run the election at Franklin High School gymnasiumNovember 4 election voting hours from 6 AM to 8 PMUnofficial results expected around 9 PMNovember election for a 2 year term of office for the Town Council and School Committee. For a 4 year term: Town Clerk, Planning Board, Board of Assessor, Board of HealthOur conversation recording runs about 25 minutes, so let's listen in --------------Town Clerk page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/333/Town-Clerk-Elections-DivisionNovember election timeline -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6245/Important-dates-to-remember- Seats up for election in November -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6240/Seats-Available -------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.How can you help?If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We'll share and show you what and how we do what we doThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.I hope you enjoy!------------------You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Paying Attention
Methuen School Committee Nightmare

Paying Attention

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 111:01


7-24-25 Today Tom Talked about Methuen School Committee member Laurie Keagan and her woke stance on boys playing on girl's sports, going into girls bathrooms, puberty blockers for kids etc. Tom also talked about Ozzy, the upcoming elections in Lawrence and Methuen and MORE

Medford Bytes
John Intoppa (School Committee)

Medford Bytes

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 34:04


Today's interview includes an interview with John Intoppa, candidate for re-election for School Committee. For more information about John's campaign visit:Website: https://www.intoppa4medford.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Intoppa4Medford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intoppaformedford/Donation page: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/intoppaThanks so much for listening to today's episode. You can reach out to us by email at medfordpod@gmail.com, or follow us on Instagram @medfordpod or Facebook at MedfordBytes Podcast. Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Thanks so much for listening.

Last Night At School Committee
Boston School Committee: 7·9·25 Meeting Recap

Last Night At School Committee

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 26:54


Last Night at School Committee – July 9, 2025 The only Boston School Committee meeting of the summer opened with a goodbye to a leaving member, included a summary of the Superintendent's progress, and ended with more questions than answers. Here's what happened last night: The meeting began with another goodbye to Committee Member Lima Barbosa who previously announced that she will be leaving the school committee for another professional opportunity. Chair Robinson commended her work on the committee and wished her well in the future. Of note, there is still no word on the process for filling her position. The meeting included votes on various grants in the district as well as an ask from the district to ensure that the leased land permits for the Boys and Girls Martin Richard Foundation Field House Project were legally approved. The votes were approved unanimously.  During the public comment portion of the meeting, there were 10 public speakers that advocated on behalf of different issues. There was a wide range of comments last night, including more testimony about the closing of the Dever, achievement gaps for English Language Learners, support for bus monitors, exam school policy concerns, and significant issues at the Mel King Academy.  There were also several speakers focused on the poor support offered to students and families in need. One parent spoke to the cumbersome process of school placement related to the student's IEP, and another parent testified about the district's failure to adequately assist her medically-disabled son. Much of this testimony was heartwrenching, illustrating some significant gaps in the BPS' support for students with unique needs.  Over the past six months, we have been closely following how the federal government's cuts could impact the district. Last night, Superintendent Skipper offered some insight into resource allocation for next year and beyond. Superintendent Skipper stated that, as of now, no positions will be cut in ‘25-'26 due to funding cuts from the Trump Administration. However, the Superintendent did note that certain title funding may be in jeopardy that could strip away professional development opportunities as well as English Language Learner programming. This will be an issue we continue to monitor.  At the last meeting, the School Committee outlined their evaluation of Superintendent Mary Skipper, and they deemed that Superintendent Skipper was "proficient." During this meeting, committee members unanimously voted to approve their evaluation of the Superintendent, yet certain committee members questioned some aspects of the district's progress in terms of quantifiable data. Member Cardet-Hernandez inquired about how data was used to inform committee members' decisions, specifically in terms of graduation rate, enrollment numbers, and achievement gaps. In response, the Superintendent stated that she would provide members with “memos” when this data becomes available.  Here at the Shah Foundation, we decided to conduct our own analysis of the committee members' evaluations, and we found a few notable pieces of data. First, across 48 written pages and more than 9,000 words of evaluation on the four standards, there were fewer than 50 data points cited. Second, two of the members did not cite a single specific number in their evaluation of the superintendent's performance. Third, just two members used more than 10 specific data points. Clearly, quantifiable data is not a crucial aspect of the members' evaluation process. With respect to media coverage of the evaluation, the Boston Globe ran a headline stating that “BPS Superintendent Skipper receives high marks in latest evaluation.” However, this attention grabbing title fails to adequately dissect and uncover the truth behind the committee's analysis. In the body of the article, the Globe notes that “progress remains uneven across schools” and much of the analysis from members echoes the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last Night At School Committee
Boston School Committee: 6·17·25 Meeting Recap

Last Night At School Committee

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 31:31


Here's what happened last night: Saying Goodbye: Committee Member Lima Barbosa announced that next month's meeting will be her last. Her departure will create an opening on the Committee, yet we did not hear about the process of filling her seat. Host Ross Wilson announced that he will look into potentially joining the committee in her stead. Public Comment: Eid, Henderson, and Equity: The Eid Coalition Group dominated public comment as multiple speakers urged the district to close schools on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The parents, students, and advocates highlighted the difficulty of having to choose whether they must miss a school day or an important holiday. Additionally, parents from the Henderson Inclusion School gave a moving statement about how the school's original inclusive mission has eroded, illustrating greater concerns raised over the past year about its decline. Votes, Votes, Votes: The School Committee ticked off a number of unanimous votes on various matters that had been previously brought up before the members. These included: authorization for student activity funds, superintendent approval authority over trust expenditures, Boston Green Academy's charter renewal, Urban Achievers High School private school application, graduation requirements amendment for alternative education, and the competency determination for the Class of 2026. Notably, there was little inquiry from any School Committee members on graduation rates for this past year. We will be on the lookout for further information about this during future meetings. Superintendent's Report: Progress, But Few Details Superintendent Mary Skipper opened her report with a thank you to this year's retiring BPS staff. She then introduced a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Boston Police Department, which outlines limited circumstances under which schools will share information with law enforcement. The agreement maintains the district's commitment to restorative justice and explicitly prohibits inquiries into students' immigration status. The quarterly update on transformation schools noted “slow and steady” progress, particularly with more coaching and monitoring around grade-level curriculum as well as excitement and school culture improvements. The Superintendent also stated that there remains major issues with chronic absenteeism throughout these schools. Superintendent Evaluation: “Proficient” The Committee presented its annual evaluation of Superintendent Skipper, giving her an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5 and labeling her “proficient.” According to the report, she showed improvement in every category over the past year. However, the evaluation relied on a BPS-specific rubric, diverging from the state's DESE model, raising questions about alignment and transparency. More critically, the Committee did not address major issues in its evaluation, including: the long-term facilities plan, ballooning White Stadium costs, declining enrollment, transportation controversy, and federal funding uncertainty. Exam Schools: Bonus Points No More? The night's final report focused on the exam school admissions policy. While no changes were proposed, as the district made clear their presentation was just an analysis, data simulations hinted at a likely shift away from the controversial “bonus points” system, especially as exam school applicants have dropped by more than 1,000 students over the past five years. Vice Chair O'Neill expressed concern about the unintended consequences of the current tier-based residency system, despite having supported the policy in the past. Two public speakers critiqued the district for their actions, stating that the information they presented was clear when they began the process of changing the admissions policy. Looking Ahead The School Committee's next meeting is scheduled for July 9th, when it will formally vote on Superintendent Skipper's evaluation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC69 - School Committee 4/23/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 74:49


SC69 - School Committee 4/23/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC70 - School Committee 4/30/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 63:59


SC70 - School Committee 4/30/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC71 - School Committee 5/21/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 218:01


SC71 - School Committee 5/21/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC72 - School Committee 6/4/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 100:42


SC72 - School Committee 6/4/25

Last Night At School Committee
Boston School Committee: 5·14·25 Meeting Recap

Last Night At School Committee

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 25:00


Last night's Boston School Committee meeting began with an executive session, during which members received an update on a labor agreement between the district and the Administrative Guild, which represents the secretaries and clerks working in Boston Public Schools (BPS). The public portion of the meeting opened with a hearing on the Massachusetts School Choice Plan for the 2025–2026 school year. However, with no public speakers present, the meeting moved swiftly to the Superintendent's report. Tragedy and Accountability Superintendent Mary Skipper began her report by acknowledging the recent tragic deaths of two BPS students. Chair Jeri Robinson and Superintendent Skipper expressed condolences to the affected families. Superintendent Skipper also referenced ongoing collaboration with TransDev, the city's contracted school bus provider, to prevent future incidents. However, a Boston Globe article published this week revealed that the bus driver involved in one of the incidents had an expired certification. Notably, the Superintendent did not directly address this detail, and we will continue to monitor for follow-up. Madison Park & Building Trades Partnership Superintendent Skipper went on to highlight a new partnership between Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions. The agreement guarantees direct entry for the top-performing 50% of Madison Park graduates into pre-apprenticeship union training programs. This marks the largest such agreement in the state and provides a meaningful career pathway for BPS students into the trades. The Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC) presented next, reporting on a recent visit to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office, where students advocated for a districtwide cell phone policy. The current policy (see page 20) has not been comprehensively updated in two decades. While individual schools have adopted varied approaches, the absence of a consistent, modern policy remains a pressing issue. One of the evening's most intense exchanges occurred during the vote on whether BPS should participate in the Massachusetts School Choice Program. Although Superintendent Skipper had previously cited capacity constraints, she reframed her opposition by warning that a pilot program could divert focus from core priorities such as inclusive education and early college pathways. Member Brandon Cardet-Hernandez issued a detailed rebuttal. He argued that the district was prioritizing fear over innovation, and emphasized the potential for school choice to support Boston's workforce—many of whom reside outside the city—and promote equity and integration. He also contested claims regarding financial burdens, noting that many are not grounded in evidence. Ultimately, the school committee, once again, voted to opt out of school choice.  Later in the meeting, Boston Green Academy presented its charter renewal application. The district also provided an update on graduation requirements for students in alternative education settings. BPS reaffirmed its post-2021 graduation standards and highlighted alignment with other urban districts across the state. Superintendent Skipper added that the updated framework expands early college and career access for alternative education students. The final presentation focused on the proposed Urban Achievers Private High School. Committee members and district leaders expressed strong support, praising the additional school choice it would offer to Boston families. The enthusiasm stood in contrast to the hesitance shown around broader school choice discussions earlier in the meeting. During the meeting, Member Cardet-Hernandez raised a key concern about the impact of frozen or rescinded federal grants. Superintendent Skipper confirmed that many grants are currently stalled due to legal challenges, which is affecting the district's budget planning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC67 - School Committee 4/1/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 50:50


SC67 - School Committee 4/1/25budget presentation

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC68 - School Committee 4/2/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 136:07


SC68 - School Committee 4/2/25

Last Night At School Committee
Boston School Committee: 4·16·25 Meeting Recap

Last Night At School Committee

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 29:19


Last night's meeting was a long one, lasting just over four hours. The main agenda item of the night was a recap of the new contract agreed to between the Boston Teachers' Union (BTU) and the district. Before this recap, the Superintendent gave a lengthy update on happenings in the district, which included a note about a new transportation policy. While this was not an agenda item, the district did announce a new policy that may remove some students from routes who do not ride the bus for 10 days in a row. There were few questions about this policy and members further encouraged the district to increase the “on-time” rate of buses earlier in the year than seven months into the school year.  District leaders then presented to the School Committee on the details within the newly agreed upon BTU contract. More specifically, the Superintendent and her team outlined updates to an increase in wages for paraprofessionals as well as a new model for serving students with disabilities. The district's explanation of the revisions to the model for special education were convoluted, at best.  Another area of concern that emerged from the district's presentation was the financial implications of the new contract, with the Superintendent's team stating they felt “uncomfortable” with the cost of the contract. The contract, as well as the supplemental appropriations necessary to fund the contract, passed the school committee vote unanimously.  After a short public comment period and a few votes on small grants, the meeting moved on to a discussion of transformation schools. As mandated by the Systemic Improvement Plan (SIP), these quarterly updates provide a glimpse into the progress, or lack thereof, of the district's most underperforming schools. While two principals from these schools shed some light on some positive news, the majority of the presentation touched on many of the same points we have been hearing, mainly, continued concerns about student achievement and chronic absenteeism. School Committee members asked pointed questions about potential alternatives to transformation schools and whether we are using the best data practices to monitor their growth. Due to the district moving out of the SIP, there was uncertainty about how this information will continue to be shared moving forward, but we will continue to keep an eye out for updates on them in the future.  Finally, the meeting wrapped up with a discussion on the Massachusetts School Choice Plan for SY 2025-2026. In the past, and last night, the district has opposed having the district opt-in to school choice, which would allow students from other cities and towns to enroll in BPS. Member Cardet-Hernandez proposed to allow municipal employees, including teachers, who live outside of Boston, to enroll their kids in BPS. This potential pilot program received significant pushback from the Superintendent and her team and was shut down without any further conversation.  The School Committee will next meet at 6pm on Wednesday, May 14th. We are looking forward to hearing more from our district's leaders.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hugh Hewitt podcast
Foote v. Ludlow School Committee

Hugh Hewitt podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 49:17


Hugh covers the news of the day and talks with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Rep. Steve Scalise, Sen. John Cornyn, David Drucker, and Byron York.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings
SC66 - School Committee 3/19/25

Milton Massachusetts Public Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 235:49


SC66 - School Committee 3/19/25