Public Policy Updates

MASC reports on Massachusetts public schools, education news, school committee issues and updates from the Department of Education.

This information has been compiled by MASC Field Director Tracy Novick.

Public Policy Updates: December 2018 Board of Education meeting

Details
Published on Wednesday, 19 December 2018 16:40

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met for their regular meeting on December 18. The agenda can be found here. 
In his opening remarks, Commissioner Riley asked that stakeholders hold the date of March 19 for a meeting at UMass Amherst on planning the way forward. He also remarked "many people are hopeful" that action will be taken on the foundation budget during this coming Legislative session, and we will "need to remain more vigilant" in order to see that through. 
The only public comment was one on wireless technology.

Read more...

Public Policy Updates: FY20 Hearing on Revenue

Details
Published on Thursday, 06 December 2018 12:45

Each year, the Legislature's Joint Ways and Means Committee holds a public hearing with the Governor's office to receive expert testimony before they agree upon a revenue number for the next fiscal year; this amount will determine what they budget for next year. The Joint Committee met Wednesday, December 5 this year. The Committee is jointly chaired by Representative Jeffrey Sanchez and Senator Joan Lovely, with Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael Heffernan sitting in for the Governor's office. 

Read more...

Public Policy Updates: November 2018 Board of Education

Details
Published on Monday, 26 November 2018 12:19

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met on Tuesday, November 20 for a short agenda, largely regarding the FY20 budget. A recording of the meeting can be found online here. 

Read more...

Public Policy Updates: October 2018 Board of Education Meeting

Details
Published on Tuesday, 30 October 2018 19:21

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education held their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 30 in Malden. The agenda can be found here. Vice-Chair James Morton was traveling and was not present; Member Katherine Craven participated remotely.
After Chair Paul Sagan called the meeting to order, Commissioner Jeffrey Riley opened his remarks by commenting, "I was under the impression that I could cancel the Board meeting if the Red Sox won; I was disappointed to find that this was not the case."

Read more...

Public Policy Updates: The Tale of Four Cities

Details
Published on Thursday, 11 October 2018 14:00

On October 9, Holyoke hosted a presentation by the superintendents and school business officials of Brockton, Holyoke, Springfield, and Worcester of their respective gaps in budgetary spending and the need for advocacy around implementation of the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. The gathering at Holyoke High--Dean Tech was welcomed by Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and State Representative Aaron Vega. Devin Sheehan welcoming Tale of Four Cities

Read more...

More Articles...

  1. Public Policy Updates: September 2018 Meeting of the Board of Education
  2. Public Policy Updates: June 2018 Board of Education
  3. Public Policy Updates: May 2018 Board of Education regular meeting
  4. Public Policy Updates: May 2018 Board of Education on Accountability
  5. Public Policy Updates: Ed Reform at 25
  6. Public Policy Updates: March 2018 Board of Education
  7. Public Policy Updates: Joint Committee on Ways and Means Hearing for FY19
  8. Public Policy Updates: February Board of Education
  9. Public Policy Updates: January Meetings of the Board of Education
  10. Public Policy Updates: December 2017 Board of Education
  11. Public Policy Updates: November Board of Education
  12. Public Policy Updates: October Board of Education
  13. Public Policy Updates: September Board of Education
  14. Public Policy Updates: Joint Committee on Education Hearings
  15. Public Policy Updates: August Board of Education meeting
  16. Novick Reports: Joint Committee Hearing S.223
  17. Novick Reports: May Board of Education
  18. Novick Reports: Condition of Education in Western Massachusetts
  19. Novick Reports: April Board of Education
  20. Novick Reports: Joint Ways and Means Committee Hearing on Education