March Board of Ed: Opening comments

 The Board of Ed meets at 9; the agenda is online here. 
There's been much online discussion of the Commissioner notifying Boston that he's doing another review. This has been--again, online--been seen as a step toward state receivership (which I am much less sure is accurate), so expect to see public testimony on that. However, NOTHING ABOUT BOSTON IS ON THE AGENDA TODAY. 

updating as we go

Craven: gratitude to National Guard, MEMA, and Other Partners (first item on the agenda)
speaks about Springfield "a great shining example" of the state cooperating with districts
"knowing that we've turned the corner" on the pandemic (what?)

Reilly: board has asked for a meeting to update on Boston (Two year anniversary)
Cassellius has made significant progress: MassCore, bathroom upgrades
concern about special education, English learners, on time bus arrival data, graduation data
"not on the agenda today" but later this spring
meeting with superintendents later this week 

Peyser: eight new early college programs
up to fifty statewide
STEM summit on April 28; online, in person, mostly the morning
supplemental budget: note $140M to Ch. 766 special ed schools to support workforce to maintain capacity and staff

Craven: haven't had a joint meeting with Higher Ed in two years; want to have one before the end of the fiscal year

Public comment:

Mayor Michelle Wu: notes her position as both the Mayor and as BPS mom
thanks to partnership 
see DESE's review as progress we've made as well as places for follow-up
lifting up young people across state and city
"I have seen firsthand dedication and commitment to achievement"
commitment of our families and educators
have seen places where we fall short
"we must do better"
tomorrow Boston School Committee takes up budget
pushing for a "whole of government approach"
notes work of city in "what ends up showing up in our schools and classrooms"
excited to work on search for superintendent
"It is with all of this in mind that I firmly oppose receivership"
would be counterproductive

Councilor Julia Mejia
"good morning, everyone: y'all ready for this?"
humbling to be back as chair of education, as have come as a parent in the past
conversation is as much person as it is professional
stood alongside parents in Holyoke opposing receivership "and we all know the outcome of this"
"every single time that we advocated for dollars we were met with opposition"
receivership "is the wrong move"
has voted to place three districts in receivership
Southbridge and Holyoke worst and second worst performing
Lawrence, following an uptick, is now in the lowest ten percent
wrong time when 77% of voters are seeking an elected school committee
"that kind of thinking lacks innovation and intentionality"
show what is possible "when we lean into discomfort"
"let's all take responsibility and accountability around this"

Marcela Sliney speaking about her son who has dyslexia
asks for help for students across the state

Lisa Guisbond on update on accountability
call on you to stop the harm caused by your current inaccurate rating system

Vice-chair of the Lawrence School Committee Jonathan Guzman
here to oppose putting another district into receivership
strip rights of own elected body that support the needs of the people
"why do you still think that takeovers are saving...when you've been in control of the Lawrence Public Schools for ten years"
all have made a commitment to be anti-racist, but to do so must first show some respect for communities of color
current back in bottom 6% of districts
invest in teachers year after year, can get a job in a community with higher pay and better working conditions
Students passed from grade to grade with attainment; standards lowered 

Greater Commonwealth Virtual School Board member Jennifer Reynolds on renewal recommendation
Salah Khelfaoui, executive director
"do our best to offer" students what they need 
students who in some cases choose to go back to their schools
Patrick Lattuca, superintendent of TEC Academy also speaking on renewal

Jessica Tang, BTU President
educators and families on the ground are increasingly concerned about discussion about receivership
upends teachers' plans to have this second audit
further frightens families and staff
"receivership cannot and should not be part of any BESE conversation" if your goal is to support the Boston Public Schools
citing experiences of those who have experienced school-based receivership
parent is now giving testimony
notes inaccessibility of meetings of the Board
Packets sharing data on why receivership isn't the answer
Samantha Laney: fifth grade teacher
now teaches in Boston, did teach in Lawrence under receivership
"keeping high needs students out keeps test scores up"
says she had no business being in Lawrence as a young white teacher who was new
turnaround DESE seeks doesn't work
notes vote of Boston for elected school committee
"will we not allow Boston to suffer the same fate as our sisters in Lawrence"

Secretary Peyser is allowed to then give a small lecture responding to public comment
Riley notes this is not on the agenda
Craven pushes him to give timelines and such; Riley continues to note that this is not on the agenda
Lombos wants to know about timeline; Riley says he doesn't have it in front of him.