masc.org

Division VI Berkshire Legislative Forum
2024-10-16 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | MA
MASC Division VI leadership is hosting a virtual state legislative forum with the Berkshire Delegation on Wednesday October 16th at 5pm. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues to discuss shared challenges, solutions, and the latest trending topics in education.
RSVP below to get the Zoom link.

Division VIII Vocational Schools Meeting
2024-10-26 09:30 - 10:30 | Nashoba Valley Technical School, 100 Littleton Rd,, Westford, MA, 01886
Join your fellow Vocational Technical school committee colleagues from across the state for an in-person roundtable discussion hosted by MASC Division VIII and Nashoba Tech. The event is taking place on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 9:30AM at Nashoba Valley Technical High School (100 Littleton Rd. Westford, MA 01886). Kindly RSVP here – Check out the agenda below and we hope to see you there.
Agenda

Welcome
Coffee & Pastries
Statewide updates Regarding Vocational Education
Presentation: Nashoba Tech staff and staff from Triumph Modular will present an overview of the process for design and building NT’s new 7000 Square Foot Stem Building addition
Tour of new STEM facility
Networking with colleagues
Optional: Tour of NT Facility
Adjourn

Charting the Course - 2024 Conference (Hyannis)
2024-11-08 13:30 - 2024-11-09 12:00 | Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, 35 Scudder Avenue, Hyannis, MA, 02601
This Charting the Course Session is being split across two days at the Annual Conference: November 8th 1:30-5PM (Part 1) & November 9th 8:30-11:45AM (Part 2) | Emerald Resort Hyannis
The hallmark of an effective school committee is how well its members understand their roles and the issues they need to address in these challenging times.
This training program, developed and presented by the MASC Academy for School Leadership, is designed to introduce new and aspiring school committee members to the Eight Key Components of School Leadership as identified by the MA Legislature in the Acts of 2002, and also to provide veteran members with an update on ever-changing requirements and regulations school committee members should be aware of.
The Charting the Course program has been structured to meet the mandates of the new school committee training legislation requiring that all school committee members newly elected after March 24, 2003 participate in a minimum of eight hours of supervised training covering the topics listed below.
Attendance at this Charting the Course program meets the eight hour orientation requirement for new school committee members (MGL Chapter 71 Sec 36A). This session also includes important changes to the Ethics and Open Meetings Laws relative to all school committee members.
Topics covered include:

School Finance
Open Meeting Law
Public Records Law
Conflict of Interest Law
Special Education Law
Collective Bargaining
School Leadership Standards & Evaluations
School Committee Roles & Responsibilities

MASC Division I Virtual Networking Event
2024-12-05 18:00 - 19:00 | MA
We are excited to invite you to a special MASC Division I Virtual Networking Event! This is a great opportunity to connect with your fellow Division I school committee members, share ideas, discuss common challenges, and collaborate on solutions to support our communities and schools.

Discussion Topics

New committee member support/onboarding new members
Trends in collective bargaining
PR – how does your district handle distribution of information
SPED/ELL topics of interest
Recent proposal for lottery system for admission to vocational schools
Possible future cluster meetings with members in your immediate regions

To signup and receive the meeting link, please RSVP via the form below. A confirmation email with the meeting link is automatically sent after you RSVP – be sure to check your spam folder. The meeting will be recorded and posted to our website in the days following the meeting.

Charting the Course – December 7, 2024 – Montachusett Regional (Fitchburg)
2024-12-07 08:00 - 16:00 | Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, 1050 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, MA, 01420, United States
The hallmark of an effective school committee is how well its members understand their roles and the issues they need to address in these challenging times.
This training program, developed and presented by the MASC Academy for School Leadership, is designed to introduce new and aspiring school committee members to the Eight Key Components of School Leadership as identified by the MA Legislature in the Acts of 2002, and also to provide veteran members with an update on ever-changing requirements and regulations school committee members should be aware of.
The Charting the Course program has been structured to meet the mandates of the new school committee training legislation requiring that all school committee members newly elected after March 24, 2003 participate in a minimum of eight hours of supervised training covering the topics listed below.
Attendance at this Charting the Course program meets the eight hour orientation requirement for new school committee members (MGL Chapter 71 Sec 36A). This session also includes important changes to the Ethics and Open Meetings Laws relative to all school committee members.
Topics covered include:

School Finance
Open Meeting Law
Public Records Law
Conflict of Interest Law
Special Education Law
Collective Bargaining
School Leadership Standards & Evaluations
School Committee Roles & Responsibilities

2024 COSA Meeting: Emerging Issues in Education Law
2024-12-13 11:00 - 14:00 | UMass Club, 1 Beacon St, 32nd floor, Boston, MA, 02108, United States
Emerging Issues in Education Law 2024
Agenda
Call to order: Michael Joyce, Esq., President, COSA
Business Meeting | Announcements and Election of 2025 Officers | Luncheon
Program
(new) Report on Recent Teacher Strikes
Presented by: Elizabeth Valerio, Esq. and Nicholas Dominello, Esq., Valerio, DOminello & Hillman
First Amendment Issues
Presented by: James Pender, Esq., Morgan, Brown & Joy
The New Problem Resolution System (PRS)
Presented by: Paige Tobin, Esq., Murphy, Lamere & Murphy
Role of School Committees in Troubled Districts (budgetary issues, etc.)
Presented by: Sarah Spatafore, Esq., Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane and
Paige Tobin, Esq., Murphy, Lamere & Murphy
Program moderator: Michael Joyce, President, COSA 2024, Nuttall, MacAvoy & Joyce

Learning Lunch: What does the U.S. Department of Education do, anyway?
2025-01-10 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Recent headlines have spotlighted the United States Department of Education, but what does the agency actually do? This session will explore the Department’s responsibilities, including what it oversees, how it allocates funding, and the implications for your district. Join MASC for this informative Learning Lunch and get answers to these key questions!

Division VIII Virtual Meeting: Requesting State Legislative Action
2025-01-14 18:00 - 19:00 | MA
Join MASC Division VIII for a Zoom meeting to discuss how we can support vocational-technical and agricultural schools across the Commonwealth. In this meeting, we’ll review two key Resolutions adopted at the 2024 MASC Conference that advocate for:

A tiered system to assess school building projects, accounting for the unique costs of vocational-technical and agricultural schools.
Expanding capacity in Chapter 74 vocational-technical programs to meet growing demand and reduce waitlists.

We’ll also strategize on ways to take action and advocate at the state level.

Division VIII In Person Meeting - Northampton
2025-01-18 09:30 - 11:00 | Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School, 80 Locust St., Northampton, MA, 01060, United States
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 9:30AM
Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School | 80 Locust St. Northampton, MA 01060
Join your fellow Vocational Technical school committee colleagues from across the state for an in-person roundtable discussion hosted by MASC Division VIII. Kindly RSVP by emailing info@smithtec.org – Check out the agenda below and we hope to see you there. Please note that we have a Snow Date of January 25th.
Agenda

Welcome (with Coffee & Pastries)
School Tour
Legislative updates re: Vocational Education
Networking with colleagues
Adjourn

Charting the Course – January 25, 2025 – Everett High School
2025-01-25 08:00 - 16:00 | Everett High School, 100 Elm St, Everett, MA, 02149, United States
The hallmark of an effective school committee is how well its members understand their roles and the issues they need to address in these challenging times.
This training program, developed and presented by the MASC Academy for School Leadership, is designed to introduce new and aspiring school committee members to the Eight Key Components of School Leadership as identified by the MA Legislature in the Acts of 2002, and also to provide veteran members with an update on ever-changing requirements and regulations school committee members should be aware of.
The Charting the Course program has been structured to meet the eight hour orientation requirement for new school committee members (MGL Chapter 71 Sec 36A).

Learning Lunch: Using Data to Inform DEIB
2025-01-31 12:00 - 17:00 | MA
Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson will host a dynamic and interactive Lunch and Learn for MASC members on January 31st from 12-1pm, via zoom. The purpose of this session is to help school committee members understand where to find relevant data, such as from DESE, and how to use that data to inform their decision-making. The Lunch and Learn is an important step in providing practical, applicable training to equip school committee members with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed decisions for their districts and to continue partnership with superintendents to advance outcomes for all.

Learning Lunch: The Student Opportunity Act and Paths Forward
2025-02-07 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Join us for an essential update on FY26 education funding, the implementation of the Student Opportunity Act (SOA), and what lies ahead for Massachusetts schools. Colin Jones, Deputy Policy Director at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, will provide expert insights into funding projections and policy developments. With a deep background in K-12 and higher education policy and finance, Colin brings valuable expertise to help school leaders navigate the evolving funding landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged in the future of education funding in the Commonwealth.

Division III Meeting: Collective Bargaining
2025-02-10 18:30 - 19:30 | MA
Join MASC Division III Leadership for an informal conversation on collective bargaining. We’ll be joined by Marc Terry, partner at Mirick Law, leader of its Public Education practice, and a current Ashland School Committee member. With extensive experience as a lead negotiator and advisor to public school districts, Marc will share key strategies, legal insights, and practical guidance on navigating the bargaining process and its impact on school committees.

Online Workshop: Lessons in Courageous Leadership with Virginia Simms George
2025-02-26 18:00 - 19:00 | MA
Join us for a meaningful conversation in honor of Black History Month with Virginia Simms-George, a distinguished leader in education and a champion of civil rights. With leadership that has stood the test of time, Virginia will share invaluable insights from her lifelong journey advocating for justice, equity, and transformative change. As a member of the Richmond 34, Virginia played a pivotal role in a historic sit-in that helped dismantle retail segregation—a moment that shaped the Civil Rights Movement. Today, she remains a force for progress, serving as Chair of the Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School Committee and leading equity efforts within the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC).
Register online here.

Division V February 2025 Meeting
2025-02-27 18:00 - 19:00 | MA
Join MASC Division V and your colleagues from across Massachusetts for an engaging Zoom session featuring Jason Fraser, MASC President and Legislative Committee Chair, as he provides a briefing on key financial and policy issues affecting Massachusetts public schools at both the state and federal levels.
Following the briefing, attendees will participate in an Unconference, where you can join breakout discussions on topics of interest to you. The event will conclude with a summary of breakout discussions and actionable next steps.
RSVP by clicking here.

Learning Lunch: The Fiscal Crisis in Rural Schools: Can It Be Fixed?
2025-02-28 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Join MASC Rural Schools Committee co-chairs Jessica Corwin and Martha Thurber for a look at the challenges facing rural schools – those that are unique and those common to all districts. This workshop will present a brief history of the fight for rural school equity in Massachusetts, review the findings of multiple commissions and reports on rural school finance and look at potential solutions, including some that would benefit districts of all sizes and locations. You will also hear more about the MASC Rural Schools Committee and the group’s current work.

Learning Lunch: Collective Bargaining Landscape - Trends & Guideposts
2025-03-07 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Join us for an informative session on the evolving landscape of collective bargaining. This Learning Lunch will cover key trends shaping negotiations, recent legal and policy developments, and essential guidance for school committees navigating the bargaining process.
Leading the discussion is Elizabeth Valerio of Valerio Dominello & Hillman, LLC. With extensive experience representing school committees in labor negotiations, she advises on employment matters, policy development, and implementation.
Gain valuable insights to approach negotiations effectively and strategically.

Charting the Course – March 8, 2025 – Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School (Charlton)
2025-03-08 08:00 - 16:00 | Bay Path Vocational Technical School, 57 Old Muggett Hill Rd, Charlton, MA, 01507, United States

Division VIII March 2025 Meeting
2025-03-15 09:30 - 11:00 | Tri-County Regional, 147 Pond St, Franklin, MA, 02038, United States
Save the Date! Members of Vocational-Technical School Committees from across the state (MASC Division VIII) have a cluster meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 15th at 9:30am at Tri-County Regional in Franklin.
Agenda

MASC Division VIII Updates
A presentation from the Tri-County Building Committee: a comprehensive overview of the MSBA application process and the current status of Tri-County Regional’s building project slated to open in Fall 2027.
Legislative updates
Q & A / meet your fellow Division VIII members

Division IV March 2025 Meeting
2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Are you feeling overwhelmed this year? Sometimes serving on a school committee can feel like a lot! Fortunately, you are not alone. Join colleagues from Division IV for a Lunchtime Zoom Roundtable Discussion about some of the biggest topics facing school committee members today.
Breakout rooms to discuss the biggest challenges facing school committee members. Share best practices, ideas or ask questions to other members about:

ICE and immigration concerns
Transportation bids
Funding shortages and possible overrides
What happens if the Department of Education disappears?
How can we advocate for continued remote/hybrid meetings?

Charting the Course – March 22, 2025 – Berkshire Hills Regional School District Office (Stockbridge)
2025-03-22 08:00 - 16:00 | Berkshire Hills Regional School District Office, 50 Main St, Stockbridge, 01262, United States

Division VII Roundtable Discussion: Engaging with the Public
2025-03-31 18:30 - 19:30 | MA
With the many difficult decisions School Committee Members have to make, what are best practices for dealing with public outcry? How do we manage challenging public comment periods, an influx of e-mails, social media accusations, requests for comments from the press? Join us for an interactive discussion on how to handle public engagement during a time of crisis and discord. *This event is open to all School Committee Members across the state.

Division III: Legislative Updates & Dinner
2025-04-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical HS, 250 Foundry St, South Easton, 02375
Join us for an in-person Division III meeting on Thursday, April 10, at 6:30 PM at Southeastern Regional. This meeting will feature a legislative update with state legislators, providing valuable insights into key education policy discussions.
Dinner will be served. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow school committee members, hear directly from legislators, and discuss issues impacting our districts. Please RSVP to help us plan accordingly. We look forward to seeing you there!

Learning Lunch: The Latest on Chapter 70 Funding
2025-04-11 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Join us for a deep dive into Chapter 70! This session will provide an overview of how the formula works, what factors impact each district’s allocation, and how recent policy changes and budget proposals may affect your community. Whether you’re new to school finance or looking for a refresher, this session will help you better understand the numbers behind your district’s budget—and how to advocate effectively for fair and adequate funding.
Topics will include:

The foundation budget and how it’s calculated

Minimum local contribution and required net school spending

How inflation, enrollment, and policy shifts affect your district’s aid

Where to find key data and how to use it in decision-making

Learning Lunch – MASC’s 2025 Day on the Hill
2025-05-02 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
MASC’s annual legislative day at the State House is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Please join the MASC Team as we review what to expect at Day on the Hill, advocacy techniques, and our legislative priorities for the year.

Charting the Course – May 3, 2025 – Nashoba Valley Technical High School (Westford)
2025-05-03 08:00 - 16:00 | Nashoba Valley Technical School, 100 Littleton Rd,, Westford, MA, 01886

MSBA Webinar: Getting Started on a Path to Lower School Facility Operational Costs
2025-05-07 09:30 - 12:00 | MA
*Note this event is posted on behalf of the Massachusetts School Building Authority. This is not an MASC event.
Getting Started on a Path to Lower School Facility Operational Costs

Registration is now OPEN! Join us for a free virtual program specific to rural communities in Massachusetts. Click HERE to register for the ZOOM program.

On Wednesday, May 7 from 9:30 to noon, local officials who have implemented recent school improvement projects will outline their struggles, strategies and lessons learned to upgrade educational facilities while lowering operational costs.

We will also discuss funding sources from the State to assist with planning, designing and constructing system upgrades or larger improvement projects for school buildings.

This program will be held virtually via ZOOM. If you have any questions about the upcoming program, please email melanie.soter@massschoolbuildings.org.

Learning Lunch: AI and Education
2025-05-16 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Join us for an informative session on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in K-12 education, presented by Jeffrey C. Riley, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Now affiliated with Day of AI, a nonprofit initiative originally developed at MIT, Mr. Riley will discuss current efforts to support AI literacy for students and educators. The session will explore how AI is being integrated into classrooms, the resources available to teachers, and key policy considerations for school leaders.
Participants will gain insight into how schools are using AI tools to enhance instruction, what professional development looks like in this space, and how districts can approach AI implementation thoughtfully, with attention to safety, equity, and student outcomes.

Charting the Course – May 17, 2025 – Keith Middle School (New Bedford)
2025-05-17 08:00 - 16:00 | Kaith Middle School, 225 Hathaway Blvd, New Bedford, MA, 02740, United States

Division VIII Meeting: Admission Policy Updates & Q&A
2025-05-28 19:00 - 20:00 | MA
Join Division VIII Chair Charlie Ellis and MASC President Jason Fraser for an important conversation on recent and proposed updates to student admission policies from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Massachusetts Legislature. This session will provide timely insights into how these changes may impact school districts across the Commonwealth. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion with MASC leadership.
