boston public schools

Build BPS, released in 2017, was supposed to be Mayor Walsh’s investment in new schools, repair of aging facilities, and creation of 21st century classrooms. But many schools lack basic facilities and staff, including libraries, social workers and family liaisons.

Twelve of the 49 members of the Boston Student Advisory Council resigned last week amid charges that the head of the nonprofit which administers the group engaged in emotionally abusive behavior and sought to stifle the voices of students challenging the administration of Boston Public Schools.

Our elected officials must commit themselves to ending systemic racism which creates the current segregated system in which some students receive a quality education and others do not. We need leadership to narrow opportunity gaps and focus on the residents who are experiencing the worst of the pandemic, not just in the Boston Public Schools but in all our neighborhoods.

Boston Public Schools unveiled its budget $1.3 billion Feb. 3 at a virtual press conference, and later that night, at the school committee meeting. BPS is banking on $36 million in new funding in the city’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget.

After considerable pressure from the state to reopen, Boston Public Schools is following through on its plan to send kids into classrooms this week. School buildings were closed due to a snowstorm on Monday and Tuesday but were scheduled to open Wednesday.

Students who testified at the Jan. 13 School Committee meeting expressed doubts about their schools capacity to safely accommodate students, citing CDC guidelines.

A poll conducted in December found 60 percent of registered voters would support a return to an elected school committee in Boston.

The Boston Teachers Union Sunday took a vote of no confidence in Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius after they say she refused to sign an agreement extending safety precautions to 28 schools that reopened for high-needs students Monday.

As we continue to live in BPS limbo of hybrids, opening schools for only the “highest” of high needs, we have had nine months without a comprehensive plan for Boston Public School students to have a quality education during the pandemic and afterwards.

Alexandra Oliver-Dávila was voted chair of the Boston School Committee last week, taking over from former member Michael Loconto, who left the body after he was heard on a live mic mocking Chinese-sounding names during the Oct. 21 School Committee meeting.

Boston Public Schools is failing our high-needs students. In creating its reopening plans, BPS created plans for all schools and all students, rather than prioritizing students who had not received in-person services since March.

With high-needs students scheduled to return to class Oct. 5, the Boston Teachers Union released a report detailing deficiencies in Boston Public Schools buildings they say will endanger the health and safety of students and staff.