March Board of Ed: opening remarks

The agenda is here.
Word has it that we have a "breaking news" morning, so stay tuned. 
Usually there are copies of the presentations and there are not today; I don't know if that means anything.
Missing Michael Moriarty, Maya Mathews as we start


Going to public comment first on Greenfield Virtual Charter
Moriarty just came in
Salah Khelfaoui, Executive director: content in curriculum; have hired a consultant to look at it
"still remains part of an experiment; we believe this experiment is worth it"
often face situations for which there are no known solutions

Keith Marsiniac (sp?) parent from North Middlesex Regional
wifi in the school system; parent essentially is blaming DESE for the district having Chromebooks in classrooms as they were described as lacking technology
Your periodic reminder about the science of this and here. 

co-chair of the racial imbalance council
"I'm here today to talk about the fact that Massachusetts certainly leads the nation in many things...but if we look at our urban districts, we have concerns; if we look at children of color, we have concerns; if we look at high needs children...I am here to speak for them"
"I don't want to see the state involved in a protracted lawsuit"
speaking on behalf of council
opportunity
"I would like to speak in support of the Promise Act...and I'm not in support of the Governor's bill, which does not do enough"
funding in Promise Act, "that would begin to perhaps equalize educational opportunities"
"I want you to support the most"
"too often for children like that, the voice is not there; I want to be sure it is"


Chair Sagan: incredible honor to serve on this Board
"daunting and humbling to be the Chair"
"too often this Board plays a major role in the trajectory of young people"
"no matter how much progress we make, we can stop" working
"our individual terms serving...are finite"
announcing his term will end today at the end of the meeting
had asked last year that the Governor find his replacement; Governor is now prepared to do so; will turn to Secretary for next steps
runs through what has happened in the past four years, notes appointment of new Commissioner

there are lots of nice things being said here about everyone else

Peyser: Governor will be officially appointing Katherine Craven as chair
reviews her history as budget analyst in Legislature, head of MSBA
intersection of policy, budget, at state level
"she's a Boston Latin grad"
"her children..makes this a personal mission for her"
Matt Hills former chair of Newton School Committee (note that he'll have to resign his seat in Newton to serve) will fill the open seat

Commissioner Riley: hopes last week's conference started to lay out way forward; focus on deeper learning; wants to hear back from those there before saying too much; full plan by March
Led a legislative briefing; met with Speaker and President; went to Ways and Means hearing; Education funding hearing on Friday
glad to see advocacy for funding
Update on Alma Del Mar: MOU approved by Alma board and by NB school committee; still needs to have city council send legislation to state
State to review Boston (first since 2005); hope to be of use for new superintendent