2018 MASC Delegate Assembly

You can find the resolutions being considered here. 
Resolution 1: Arming of Educators
Resolution 2: Small and Rural Districts
Resolution 3: Elimination of the Federal Department of Education
Resolution 4: Regional School Transportation
Resolution 5: Reporting and Accountability Standards
Resolution 6: Reproductive Health
Resolution 7: Gender-Identity Inclusive Athletic Participation
Resolution 8: Sports Wagering
Resolution 9: Access to Information for Parents of Special Education Student


MASC President Beverly Hugo opens by saying "People pay attention to what you do" as the policy makers for districts.
New Commissioner "has promised to listen and to be reasonable."
"a new table, where school committee members, parents, and students are at the table, and not on the menu"
"let us change the conversation"

Nomination are proposed and approved: Deb Davis, President-elect; Ellen Holmes, Vice President; Denise Hurst, Secretary-Treasurer
Devin Sheehan was elected as President-elect last year, and he, and they, will assume office in January

Sheehan now reviewing resolutions, asking which ones will be debated

Resolution 1 on arming of educators

the Massachusetts Association of School Committee rejects the notion of providing firearms to any educators. The safest environment would be to provide additional mental health resources and violence prevention programs in public schools.

Monty Tech member speaking: have a problem rejecting, unilaterally, arming of educators
believe this will tie the hands of those who are trained and probably should be carrying weapons
Resolution committee member: school resource officers are not included in this provision
Framingham member: reject the notion of providing firearms for them
called: passes overwhelmingly

Resolution 2 on small and rural districts

That MASC call for the creation of a working group to advise the legislature on the best public policy solutions to support small and rural school districts, and further That this working group propose modifications to the Foundation Budget and other elements of the Chapter 70 financial assistance program; designate specific instances where excessive regulation interfere with the ability of school leaders to direct the academic improvement of children; identify and advise on eligibility for state and federal programs to support public education; and find strategies to ameliorate the impact of forces that jeopardize the growth, stability and success of these school districts, and further That MASC oppose legislation or unlegislated regulations that would attempt to undermine the right of any city, town or regional district to have imposed upon it a mandate to restructure, expand, regionalize, or dissolve its school district without its consent.

there are amendments
Pittsfield moves that the third paragraph about opposing forced consolidation be its own resolution
amendment passes to split the resolution
2a: (the first two paragraphs) now being considered: passes
2b: final paragraph passes

Resolution 3 rejecting the elimination of the Department of Education

The Massachusetts Association of School Committees works with the federal delegation to reject any notion of combining the U.S. Department of Education with other government departments.

passes

Resolution 4 regional school transportation
amendment: to remove "regional" throughout
note from one that this is based on the Auditor's report on regional transportation (thus "regional")

To promote greater competition for bus service contracts, the Legislature should eliminate M.G.L. c. 71, § 7C, and authorize a deeper analysis of the lack of bidders on school transportation contracts.

"we are all facing the same situation throughout the state" is the situation, says one speaker
concern from another that there would be recommendations and no money
amendment to take out "regionals" fails
amendment: provide reimbursement for any district over 20 square miles
one argues that this is divisive
amendment fails
motion to refer back for further work PASSES

Resolution 5 on accountability

the Massachusetts Association of School Committees works with the legislature and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to ensure that all students in schools that receive public funds under the authority of the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or a local public school district are held to the same standards and requirements in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

passes

Resolution 6 on reproductive health education

The Massachusetts Association of School Committees supports evidence-based reproductive health curricula. Further, we call upon the U.S Department of Education and Executive Branch stop their support of abstinence-only education.

amendment: to split the resolution with "further call on US DoE to end support for abstinence-only education" as its own resolution
6a on evidenced based education passes
6b on ending support for abstinence-only education

Resolution 7 on inclusive athletic policy

That MASC help file legislation which would have the effect of protecting LGBTQ students from discrimination, harassment and bullying by that schools should treat students based on their gender identify, protecting their privacy, providing access to gender-neutral restrooms, locker rooms and private stall showers, using their preferred pronouns, embedding sensitivity training in professional development and providing uniform accommodations

amendment from Melrose to remove "gender-neutral" from the item, as it targeted bullying
supported by member from Southbridge
question on adding other extracurricular activities
question on defining equal access if that is eliminated
Motion to drop "gender-neutral" PASSES
Franklin: drop "preferred" from pronouns: fails so it stays in
Marlborough: adding in "that accountability standards be put into place to ensure that standards of protection are adhered to" PASSES
Springfield: "instituting reasonable accommodation"
speaking against: allowing school districts to decide what is reasonable rather than honoring trans people
amendment on reasonable accommodation: fails
and on the resolution itself
Framingham member: "we are here to support every child; every child deserves to feel safe, every child deserves to feel supported"

Resolution 8

The Massachusetts Association of School Committees requests that, should the General Court enact legislation to legalize wagering on sporting events, the General Court, shall commit a portion of the revenues generated from sports wagering to public education.

two early opponents
"by asking for this money, we're asking for a regressive tax, and I don't think that fits our ideals as Mass Association of School Committees"
vote is so close that we've moved to a standing count
52 yes 44 no
thus the resolution passes

Resolution 9
which has several amendments
language reads:

MASC urges the legislature to amend state law to require that parents and students be provided with a copy via email or mail of all the assessments that are performed for students in the families’ preferred language, at least five days prior to any meeting at which parents and students will review a proposed Individual Education Plan (IEP).

amendment: five SCHOOL days
originator points that summer and vacation days don't count
pushing from two days to five days before, says one who does this
friendly amendment to change "school" days to "business" days
change is accepted: and passes
Dudley-Charlton and Holyoke suggests a substitute motion
urges amendment of state regulation and writes the regulation
point raised that asks Legislature to rewrite regulation
concern with list of who is included in access
parent speaks to translation of IEP as necessary
concern over mailing, given movement of families
substitute motion going to a count!
and passes
argument from a member that there is concern on costs
motion passes

And ADJOURNED