Boston Public Schools and state finalize improvement plan

BOSTON, Mass. — The state will not move to take control of Boston Public Schools (BPS).

The scheduled vote did not happen after the state and city worked out an improvement plan.

We caught up with parents who are thinking about their children’s schools as the state and city finalize an improvement plan moving forward. Jenna Passamonti and Krystal Burke are parents in Charlestown.

“Maybe the politicians will step out and just let the schools run their course and keep everything safe,” said Passamonti. “I think everyone is going to be skeptical, everyone. We are all going to be nervous” said Burke.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Boston officials finalized an 11th hour improvement plan before DESE’s scheduled vote Tuesday to move on taking more control of BPS. Commissioner Jeff Riley appeared virtually at DESE’s meeting because he tested positive for COVID-19. Riley talked about the state report that found BPS failing in several areas including special education and transportation. Parents say safety is also on their list of concerns. “My only thing that would be better is just to feel more safer because of everything that is going on is all just unpredictable,” said Passamonti.

Mayor Michelle Wu embraced the plan and told Boston 25 it is in motion. “We’ve been working many of the items in this document on things the district would have done, should have been doing regardless,” said Wu.

As part of the agreement, the state will pitch in $10 million over 3 years for the improvement plan. BPS will be held accountable for reaching specific identified goals and engage with students, families, educators and community members. There will be an independent auditor and the progress will be revisited in June of 2025.

Boston Teachers Union President Jessica Tang says a lot more work is needed. “We are not going anywhere. We are still going to continue to fight for the schools our students deserve,” said Tang.

DESE unofficially put off their vote to take more control of BPS only indicating that they may revisit if the improvements don’t happen.

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