* MASC Staff is Available for Your Questions and Guidance *

Due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), in consultation with the MASC Board of Directors, many of the MASC staff are currently working remotely.

Read more...

2020 Report of the Nominating Committee

The MASC Nominating Committee met on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The Report of the Nominating Committee, which includes the slate of officers proposed by the Nominating Committee is available for download.

Read more...

Guidance on Policy Issues for the Pandemic

This document has been developed to act as a guide for school committees as your district develops and implements a back-to-school strategy. This task will require flexibility on the school committee’s part in schedules of meetings and the time commitment required to meet the deadlines established by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Read more...

Letter to Members: 2020 MASC/MASS Joint Conference Update

Dear School Committee Members and Superintendents:

None of us could have anticipated how much COVID-19 has disrupted our plans for 2020. We have all been working under extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances that have forced us to adapt and deal with the implications of the pandemic, including the social contract with students and each other that we have valued over the years.

Regrettably, due to the anticipated limits on large gatherings, requirements to preserve public health practices, reluctance of exhibitors, and the loss of access to our convention venue, we will not be able to host our Annual MASC/MASS Joint Conference that was originally scheduled for November 4-7, 2020.

Read more...

MASC Guide to Member Roles in Reopening of Schools

Download / Print Guide Here

As the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) prepares final guidance for districts to use in reopening schools in September 2020, many school committee members have raised questions and sought advice from MASC.

This is a time of uncertainty and extraordinary challenges for everyone associated with public schools. The COVID-19 situation imposes almost daily changes in how we plan for September. School committee members have a unique role to play not only as policy makers with fiduciary responsibilities for the education of children, but also as community leaders to whom parents, neighbors, and students turn for answers. You may join with your superintendents to provide a thoughtful and responsible information and advice to your constituents or to those who contact you.

Since the state has explained that considerable discretion will be given to districts regarding the opening of school, you should work with your superintendent to develop the plan that works most effectively and safely for your children and families.

MASC has developed this advisory to help you navigate the potentially rough and uncharted routes to a successful school opening and a solid 2020-2021 school year. We will be updating this document as members raise new questions or as events develop.

Read more...

Public Policy Updates: June 2020 Board of Ed

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education met on Tuesday, June 30 remotely to close the school year. The agenda is online here; the videos of the meeting (of which there are three in sequence) begin here.

Chair Katherine Craven opened by commenting that the Board intends to continue to allow for some form of remote public comment even after the meetings are back together, as it has allowed for greater participation of more people from across the state. She also recognized newly appointed member Darlene Lombos of the Greater Boston Labor Council who is filling the labor seat vacated by Ed Doherty. 

Read more...