Wait, what? moments from last week's Board of Ed

Due to the Consensus Revenue hearing starting at noon, I did not liveblog the last section of the Board of Ed meeting last Tuesday, which was on the interim graduation report. I did watch it later in the day--you can read my MASC coverage here--but much like the Commissioner's goals, feedback was not so much focused on the report as it was talking around associated items. 

Please enjoy this waving snowman from Palmer.
The snowman has nothing to do with the post,
but we need to take our happy things where we can.

There were five eyebrow raising moments during the meeting--two from the Commissioner's priorities, and three from the graduation discussion--that I want to be sure we don't miss, as much as everyone's attention right now may be elsewhere. 

May Board of Ed: vocational admission

Tutwiler: never been about casting aspersions on career-tech leaders or educators

Methuen High School auditorium

"has been about advancing values that reflect that every student" warrants a chance to pursue access

recommending one minor change to the middle school access, and three substantive changes to the weighted lottery
heard "loud and clear" the demand for more seats

oh we apparently have a new Board of Ed member: Dr. Christina Grant

Can we announce these things please?
Her name is Dr. Christina Grant
A quick Google says she is Executive Director of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University.
(With Marty West, that brings Harvard-held seats to two.)

Has been a member of Chiefs for Change, formerly state superintendent in Washington, D.C., coming there from: 

...after working as chief of charter schools and innovation for Philadelphia’s school district, according to her biography.

She was a teacher in Harlem through Teach for America

(two winces there on TFA and charters) 

I'll update as I find more. 

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for March: opening comments

 The agenda is here. The livestream is here.
I'm covering this one remotely because seven hours of the public hearing yesterday WORE ME OUT!

I would assume today will include many nice words about Russell Johnston, as this is his last meeting. He has borne out my experience with MA Commissioners: our interim commissioners are our best ones.