Boston School Committee: 3·20·24 Meeting Recap

Last Night At School Committee

Last night’s School Committee meeting was the last meeting before the School Committee votes on the Superintendent’s FY25 budget. The meeting was preceded by the last public budget hearing for the Superintendent’s FY25 budget proposal. During the hearing, nearly 30 individuals offered public comments, the bulk of which concerned the district's shift towards a new inclusion model. A considerable number of teachers shared their concerns and confusion regarding the planning and approval process for their schools, emphasizing the pressing need for adequate funding. Meanwhile, families provided heartfelt testimonies on the potential effects of these changes on their children. Comments also touched upon athletic investments, especially those related to White Stadium. These comments came after a lawsuit threatened the plan to renovate White Stadium, and comments from Mayor Wu that the project will not go forward if the planned partnership with the Boston Unity Soccer Partners does not work.

Following the hearing, the School Committee meeting commenced, where the Superintendent’s Report highlighted some positive news regarding athletics, facilities, and an increase in mental health funding for schools from a federal grant. Additional public comments further highlighted confusion and concern about the district's plan for full inclusion models.

The School Committee then voted on a few items. They unanimously voted in favor to submit a statement of interest to the MSBA for a new building for the BCLA-McCormack. Members again raised questions about how this initiative fits within the district's broader capital planning strategy and the contingency plans if MSBA funding is not secured. The Committee also then voted in favor of the submission of renewal for the Student Opportunity Act, a requirement by the state.

The evening concluded with a final discussion on the Superintendent’s FY25 budget. This conversation was significantly influenced by the district's decision to move away from the Weighted Student Funding (WSF) model, which had allocated funds based on individual student needs. This strategic pivot, aimed at sustaining schools experiencing enrollment declines, prompted Committee members to express concerns about the future of funding and the usage of soft landings to continue to fund schools. Specifically, they highlighted the trend of declining enrollment, and the potential challenges of reduced tax revenue and the pressure to make effective financial decisions in the face of these changes.

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