Boston School Committee Approves Renaming and Addresses School Closures

Overview: The Boston School Committee approved the renaming of the Jeremiah E. Burke High School to the Dr. Albert D. Holland High School of Technology, recognizing Dr. Holland’s contributions to the Boston Public Schools (BPS) district. Considerable attention was also given to the proposed closure of the Lyla Frederick Middle School and the West Zone Early Learning Center, sparking discussions on community engagement and the impact on students and families.

Boston School Committee Approves Withdrawal from School Choice Program

Overview: In a decisive action, the Boston School Committee voted to withdraw the Boston Public Schools (BPS) from the Massachusetts school choice program for the 2024-2025 school year. This move dominated the meeting.

Boston School Committee Advances New Equity Policy

Overview: In an effort toward educational equity, the Boston School Committee has proposed a new policy aimed at addressing systemic disparities within the school system. The meeting focused on the introduction and discussion of the policy, which includes measures to ensure equitable distribution of resources and support for all students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.

Boston School Committee Addresses Exam School Admissions and Mental Health Services

Overview: In a recent meeting, the Boston School Committee delved into discussions surrounding the admissions policy for the city’s prestigious exam schools and the potential need for an additional institution to accommodate qualified students. Other topics included the proposed budget cuts to the Behavioral Health Services Department, concerns over chronic absenteeism, and the performance of transformation schools.

Boston School Committee Tackles Inclusion and Budget Concerns

Overview: At the latest Boston School Committee meeting, one notable issue revolved around the proposed fiscal year 25 budget of $1.5 billion as presented by the interim Chief Financial Officer, David Bloom. The budget drew significant public attention for its key changes, particularly the allocation of additional funds to transformation schools, instructional programming, and revisions to current budget grants. However, a central theme emerged from public comments: concerns over the adequacy of support for inclusion programs and equitable resource distribution, especially for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.