Learning Lunch: AI and Education
2025-05-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
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
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).

Division VIII Meeting: Admission Policy Updates & Q&A
2025-05-28 19:00 - 20:00
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.

Learning Lunch: Chair Chat
2025-06-06 12:00 - 13:00
Please join MASC staff and current Chairs on Friday June 6th for Chair Chat. An informal discussion between chairs and aspiring chairs about the ins and outs of all things Role of the Chair. We will also talk about how you can start a Chair Chat group in your area!

Charting the Course – June 7, 2025 – Greenfield High School
2025-06-07 08:00 - 16:00 | Greenfield High School, 21 Barr Ave, Greenfield, MA, 01301, United States

Division III End of Year Social
2025-06-19 18:00 - 21:00 | The Boston Tavern, 389 A W Center St, West Bridgewater, MA, 02379
Join fellow Division III school committee members for a relaxed and festive evening as we celebrate the close of another school year. The Division III End-of-Year Social will take place on Thursday, June 19 at 6:00 PM at Boston Tavern in West Bridgewater. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the region, reflect on the year’s accomplishments, and enjoy good food and conversation in a casual setting. We hope to see you there!

Learning Lunch: A Conversation on Proposed Amendments to Regional School District Regulations
2025-06-20 12:00 - 13:00
Join MASC and representatives from DESE for a Learning Lunch focused on the proposed amendments to the Regional School District regulations. DESE will provide an overview of the changes, explain what they could mean for districts if approved, and answer questions from our members.

Charting the Course – June 21, 2025 – Doherty Memorial High (Worcester)
2025-06-21 08:00 - 16:00 | Doherty Memorial High School, 299 Highland St, Worcester, MA, 01602, United States

2025 Summer Institute: Collective Bargaining Bootcamp
2025-07-19 09:00 - 15:00 | UMASS Amherst Henry M. Thomas III Center, 1500 Main St., Suite 260, Springfield, MA, 01115, United States
Collective bargaining has led the news recently in too many Massachusetts school districts. Increasingly, negotiations have ranged from difficult to downright contentious and often disintegrated from there. A growing number of communities have been subjected to days-long strike action, leaving students and families anxious, confused, and often, without recourse. If the prospect of upcoming negotiations in your district is adding layers to your stress level, it’s time to step back, settle down, and hear from experts and those who have been through it at MASC’s Collective Bargaining Bootcamp.
What to Expect
This one-day immersive, interactive program will prepare you for negotiations, and the challenges you may encounter. In this Collective Bargaining 201 session, presenters will review the legal framework, timeline and process of bargaining, and setting ground rules for the discussions. Participants will learn about gathering and using comparative data, setting goals and priorities, building your bargaining team, and working effectively with your superintendent and counsel. Presenters will also focus on navigating difficult conversations and tough proposals: when to push back and how; managing public pressure and messaging; mediation and fact finding; and recent hot button issues (remote work, staffing levels, DEI language). The day will also include a mock collective bargaining session followed by a debrief and guidance on moving forward post settlement, including strategies for rebuilding a healthy relationship with staff.

Division I Virtual Summer Social
2025-08-04 18:30 - 19:30
Join fellow Division I members for an informal virtual gathering to reconnect and share ideas as we close out the summer. This casual, unrecorded Zoom meeting will provide a chance to:

Recap key takeaways from MASC’s Summer Institute: Collective Bargaining Bootcamp — especially helpful for those who couldn’t attend

Explore topics of interest for upcoming Division I work and programming

Discuss recent developments that impact our work as school committee members

This is a great opportunity to stay engaged, connect with colleagues across the region, and help shape future Division I discussions. We hope to see you there!

Division VII Virtual Roundtable Discussion
2025-08-25 18:00 - 19:00
You’ve Taken Charting the Course, Now What?
Applying What You’ve Learned in Real-time
Session Summary:
Whether you’re a new or returning School Committee member, Charting the Course is a state-mandated training program that’s rich with information and guidance. But it’s not until you’re sitting in the seat, facing real-time scenarios that the questions begin to arise.
As a follow-up to Charting the Course, join us for an interactive discussion on the varying responsibilities of a School Committee member and how best to manage them in real-time. RSVP here or via the form embedded below.
*This event is open to all School Committee Members across the state.

Division X Webinar: Equity 101
2025-09-12 12:00 - 13:00
You are invited to join the first session of a new series of equity-centered Lunch and Learn webinars sponsored and facilitated by Division X. Session One: Starting with Why: Equity, Purpose, and Shared Understanding” is the beginning of Division X’s Equity 101 series, designed to build shared language around equity and explore why it matters in every district—rural, suburban, and urban alike.
Together, we’ll explore:

What equity really means in the context of school governance
Why equity matters even when a district doesn’t see itself as “diverse”
How a clear and shared understanding of equity strengthens decision-making and improves student outcomes

This series is open to all members and is especially valuable for those seeking to strengthen their capacity to govern with clarity, purpose, and equity at the center.

Charting the Course – September 13, 2025 – Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School
2025-09-13 08:00 - 16:00 | Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School, 80 Locust St., Northampton, MA, 01060, United States

Division VIII Meeting
2025-09-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Minuteman Vocational Technical High School, 758 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Join your fellow Division VIII members for a regional cluster meeting hosted at Minuteman Vocational Technical High School. This gathering provides an opportunity for school committee members to connect with colleagues, share updates from across the division, and discuss issues and initiatives impacting districts in our region.

MASC Legal Learning Lunch: Implications of Mahmoud Case: Parental Opt-Out
2025-09-26 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for a timely Legal Learning Lunch exploring the recent Mahmoud decision and its implications for school districts. This session will provide an overview of the case, its impact on parental rights when parent’s raise objections to curriculum based upon their religious beliefs and what the ruling means for local school committees and administrators moving forward. Attendees will gain practical insights on compliance, policy considerations, and strategies to address parental concerns while upholding legal and educational responsibilities.

Charting the Course – October 4, 2025 – Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School
2025-10-04 08:00 - 16:00 | Tri-County Regional, 147 Pond St, Franklin, MA, 02038, United States

Division X Webinar: Equity 101 - Turning Equity Aspirations into Action
2025-10-16 12:00 - 13:00
You are invited to join the second session of a new series of equity-centered Lunch and Learn webinars sponsored and facilitated by Division X. This series is open to all members and is especially valuable for those seeking to strengthen their capacity to govern with clarity, purpose, and equity at the center.
Many school committees have adopted equity-focused vision statements and policies, but the real challenge is moving from words on paper to meaningful change in practice. This interactive session will highlight practical tools that will enable school committee members to operationalize equity in their decision-making and governance work.

Learning Lunch: 2025 Resolutions Preview
2025-10-17 12:00 - 13:00
Join MASC as we host an informal conversation for all of our membership to gain a comprehensive understanding of the resolutions to be considered at the upcoming MASC Delegate Assembly. To prepare for the meeting, you can learn more about the resolutions on our website here. The team will provide an in-depth analysis of each resolution and share insights into the process that brought them forth to the annual conference.

Charting the Course – December 6, 2025 – Quashnet Elementary School (Mashpee)
2025-12-06 08:00 - 16:00 | Quashnet Elementary, 150 Old Barnstable Rd, Mashpee, MA, 02649, United States

2025 COSA Meeting: Emerging Issues in Education Law
2025-12-12 11:00 - 14:00 | UMass Club, 1 Beacon St, 32nd floor, Boston, MA, 02108, United States
Emerging Issues in Education Law 2025
Agenda & Program
COSA Business Meeting: Announcements and Election of 2025 Officers
Employee Free Speech in a World of Social Media: Policy and Disciplinary Implications
Presented by: Jennifer King, Esq., Valerio, Dominello & Hillman and
Sarah Spatafore, Esq., Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane
Mamoud Decision: Review of the Case and Implications for School Districts
Presented by: Rebecca Bouchard, Esq., and Paige Tobin, Esq., Murphy, Lamere & Murphy
Trends in Labor Relations: Update on Strategies for Bargaining Teams
Presented by: Josh Coleman, Esq., Murphy, Lamere & Murphy; Nicholas Dominello, Esq.,
Valerio, Dominello & Hillman; Mike Maccaro, Esq., Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane
Program moderator: Sarah Spatafore Esq., President, COSA 2025 Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane

Learning Lunch: Subcommittees 101
2026-01-09 12:00 - 13:00
Subcommittees can be powerful tools for school committees when used thoughtfully and in compliance with the Open Meeting Law. This Learning Lunch will provide a practical overview of Subcommittees, including how subcommittees are properly formed, what meeting and posting requirements apply, and how they differ from advisory groups or individual member assignments.
Participants will also explore common and effective subcommittee models used by school committees across the Commonwealth and discuss how these structures can help streamline committee work, deepen focus on complex issues, and make full committee meetings more efficient. Whether you are new to a school committee or considering rethinking how your committee uses subcommittees, this session will offer clear guidance and real-world examples you can bring back to your district.
RSVP below or click here.

Learning Lunch: Using Data to Inform Decision-Making (Session 1 of 2)
2026-01-23 12:00 - 13:00
Hosted by Division X, this Learning Lunch is open to all members and serves as the first session in a two-part series. Each session stands alone, and attendees are welcome to participate in one or both.
Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson will host a dynamic and interactive Lunch and Learn for MASC members on January 23rd 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.
We encourage participants, however it is not mandatory, to register in pairs to maximize your learning and embedding of your learning following the session.
Session Goals/Outcomes
● Provide a key information update on data analysis
● Refresh participants on essential data-related skills and knowledge
● Presenting key data analysis information and skills

Charting the Course – Quincy
2026-01-24 08:00 - 16:00 | Quincy High School, 100 Coddington St, Quincy, MA, 02169, United States

Berkshire County Legislative Forum
2026-02-03 17:30 - 18:30
Please join us for a Legislative Forum with State Representatives Leigh Davis, John Barrett,Tricia Farley-Bouvier and State Senator Paul Mark on Tuesday, February 3 from 5:30-6:30pm over Zoom. This discussion will focus on the state budget outlook; rural schools funding status; Division 6 regionalization efforts; graduation requirements, and any other topics you or the legislators want to address.

You will receive a zoom link upon registration. Please submit questions via the RSVP form, so we can be sure to address those over the course of the discussion. You are welcome to share this invitation with your administrative staff as well.

Learning Lunch: New Member Orientation
2026-02-06 12:00 - 13:00
New Member Onboarding – Your first meeting as a School Committee Member can be overwhelming. Join us to talk about effective new member onboarding and share your best practices to help your new members hit the ground running. MASC staff will share the requirements, our resources, and the resources of your fellow committee members from across the Commonwealth.

Learning Lunch: Budgeting as a School Committee
2026-03-06 12:00 - 13:00
School committee members play a critical role in shaping district budgets, even if they aren’t responsible for drafting them. This Learning Lunch will walk participants through the school committee’s role in the budgeting process, key decision points throughout the fiscal year, and how to ask the right questions to ensure alignment with district priorities and student needs. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of budget timelines, common constraints, and strategies for effective collaboration with superintendents, finance teams, and municipal partners.

Charting the Course – Petersham
2026-03-07 08:00 - 16:00 | Petersham Center School, 31 Spring St, Petersham, 01366, United States

Division III Meeting: Chapter 70 & the Student Opportunity Act
2026-03-13 12:00 - 13:00
Join Division III and your colleagues from across the Commonwealth for a discussion on Chapter 70 and the Student Opportunity Act! 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.

Division IX Meet & Greet
2026-03-18 18:00 - 19:00
Join fellow members of MASC’s Division IX – our Urban Division representing cities across the Commonwealth – for a virtual meet and greet! This informal session will provide an opportunity for school committee members and district leaders to introduce themselves, discuss the challenges facing their city, and share strategies that are working in their communities.
This event is open to all MASC members who are interested in joining the conversation and learning more about the issues impacting our urban districts. Whether you are new to Division IX or a longtime participant, this is a valuable opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration across communities.

Learning Lunch: Why MA Students Need Personal Finance as a Graduation Requirement
2026-03-20 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for an important conversation about the growing movement to make personal finance a graduation requirement in Massachusetts public schools. As students prepare for life beyond high school, they face increasingly complex financial decisions—from student loans and credit cards to budgeting, taxes, and long-term savings. Cohosted by the Financial Empowerment Network, this Learning Lunch will examine current policy efforts, what a graduation requirement could look like, and how school committees can support meaningful, practical financial education in their districts. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the landscape and actionable insights to bring back to their communities. RSVP here or via the form below.
