The Board meeting opened with an hour of public comment, much on vocational admission regulations, which was not on this month’s agenda. The Board did, however, receive a letter from Attorney General Campbell urging the Board “to act with urgency to finalize the proposed regulations” and offering:
…additional refinements to the regulations to ensure that barriers to enrollment do not disproportionately exclude our most vulnerable students, particularly given the significant impacts of federal actions on these students in our Commonwealth.
Those testifying in opposition to proposed changes including Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and former Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray; Nashoba Valley Tech School Committee member Christopher Prehl; Tri County Regional Vocational Tracy Stewart; administrators from Madison Park Tech in Boston and Blackstone Valley Tech in Upton; a former valedictorian and now parent of a middle schooler; and an attorney representing MAVA, who invoked the potential for having to defend changes against the U.S. Department of Justice. Those testifying in support of changes were an attorney for the Center for Law and Education, and Chelsea High School student, who said that the system was “unfair and biased.” There was also public testimony regarding the need to support the needs of every child.
Secretary Tutwiler, reporting for both the Executive Office and the Department, lead by updating the work of the Executive Office on protecting “local school districts from funding cuts” and federal policy changes. He noted that Attorney General Andrea Campbell joined more than a dozen other states in suing the federal government regarding the end of access to pandemic aid. He spoke of the administration’s pushing back on the certification of compliance with Title VI on non-discrimination in a letter which stressed the value of people of diverse backgrounds. The Attorney General has joined 19 other states in suing the federal government regarding that. He also recognized the concerns around immigration actions in many communities, resulting in extended absences from school, and said that they are working to ensure districts are kept updated as changes may threaten. He said that in Massachusetts, “we’ll stay true” to every student being known and valued.
He announced, “I am pleased to formally accept the Board’s recommendation” of Pedro Martinez as the next Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Tutwiler also spoke of the Governor’s graduation council, which is holding public input sessions across the state. The first one was held in Taunton earlier this month. The next is Thursday, May 1 at 5 PM at Worcester Technical High School. Others upcoming:
Wednesday, May 28: Somerville High School, 5-7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 3: Virtual (Link to join to be updated), 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, June 5: Holyoke High School, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Monday, June 9: Barnstable High School, 5-7 p.m.
The Secretary also spoke highly of his meeting last evening with Holyoke where the exit assurances for the resumption of local control were announced. He anticipates a smooth transition in July.
The Secretary reminded us all that it is Teacher Appreciation Week next week: “if you see a teacher, thank a teacher.” He recommended districts hold future teacher signing days to elevate and encourage those perusing teaching as a career.
The Board next honored Milken award winner Jillian Levreault, middle school science teacher in Southbridge. Levreault said she had an unconventional start to a teaching career, as “I didn’t have a great school experience myself.” She said she needs and wants to make a difference “to be the teacher I wish I had.” She said that teaching was more than learning content, but was building self-confidence in students so they can and want to access the content. She sets high expectations so the students can take academic risks, can change their minds based on new evidence. She said she asks herself every day as she enters her classroom, “Will my students have an advantage in the world because I am their teacher?” Secretary Tutwiler took the opportunity to thank departing Southbridge receiver Jeffrey Villar, leaving at the end of April to become a superintendent in Connecticut. Bill Metzger, Southbridge Public Schools executive director of finance and human resources, will take over as interim receiver.
The Board next received an update on OpenSciEd, an open source K-12 science curriculum which Massachusetts has been a partner state in developing. The materials, which have been adopted by over 90 Massachusetts school districts, are intended to be “relevant, real-world, and interactive.” Through these set of instructional materials, students ask questions, conduct investigations, analyze data, and design solutions. Fall River, among the districts that has adopted the materials, was part of the presentation; Kimberly Laliberte, the Director of Science for the Fall River Public Schools, said it “has been a transformational move for science education in Fall River.” Board members were interested in its adaptability, connection with literacy, and measurement of success. Member Mary Ann Stewart asked about what had been observed among educators in its adoption; Nicole Scola, DESE Assistant Director for Science, Technology, & Engineering, said that it pushed teachers to really think about the curriculum and change their ideas about how to implement science instruction.
The Board next took up a report from a task force on generative artificial intelligence. Jackie Gantzer, Director of school support and edtech said, in listening to stakeholders, they found “inconsistency with which [generative AI] is being used…[and had questions on] quality, safety, and effectiveness.” They also found that student exposure varies drastically from teacher to teacher, leading them to ask “is it this okay? why? for who?” In creating a task force, they focused on “support[ing] improved experiences for historically underserved students” in particular, ensuring their task force had a varied membership. invoking an analogy of generative artificial intelligence as scissors, in which the perceived danger was outweighed by utility with training, Gantzer presented three areas in which there will be future work: resource creation and curation; professional development; and policy supports. Vice Chair Hills asked about the involvement of industry in the task force. Stewart was curious about support going forward, to which Gantzer replied that they will be “developing materials to develop AI literacy,” making information more widely available “given its prominence in our world.” Stewart further asked about bias; digital literacy and computer science standards already encompass things like bias, emphasizing “really looking at it with a critical eye.” Students are also taught “what is their data and how do they keep their data private and how do they not feed into that algorithm” in such classes.
The Board next took up a set of proposed amendments to 603 CMR 41.00 on regional schools to send out for public comment. The proposed amendments to regulations last amended in 2009 are, as the memo to the Board outlined:
Department staff have identified areas in which current regulatory language limits districts’ ability to structure regional agreements to best serve local needs, places unnecessary requirements on the districts, or lacks clarity.
“academic” (not specifically CTE) regional school districts in Massachusetts
Jay Sullivan of the Department’s finance office and Christine Lynch formerly of the regional schools emphasized that the proposed changes came directly from ongoing interactions with administrators, school committees, and municipalities. The proposed revisions fall under the following areas:
Streamlining approval of regional agreements and amending agreements
Clarifying provisions surrounding creation and approval of regional school budgets
Clarifying provisions related to Commissioner fiscal oversight
new provisions on waiver and severability
technical oversight
Vice Chair Hills raised a question of the length of the public comment period, which is 21 days by state law, precipitating a discussion of process by Hills; Grant, who suggested the incoming commissioner might have a perspective; and Moriarty. The Board did eventually vote to send the proposed revisions out for public comment, with a due date later in June.
Finally, the Board received an update on the budget from DESE CFO Bill Bell. The report was accompanied by a spreadsheet tracking accounts. Bell noted that the House is currently in budget deliberation on a budget proposal that broadly aligns with the budget proposed by the Governor in January. The largest change is a proposed minimum per pupil increase of $150/pupil; the Governor’s budget has $75. The House Ways and Means budget also increases funding for the circuit breaker and for regional transportation reimbursement. He noted that they are keeping a close eye on what happens at the federal level on child nutrition, as changes there would have a cascading effect at the state level, though Bell acknowledged that such could be said of many things. At this time, the state is “not expecting any significant reduction” in federal grants for next school year, but are awaiting award letters. If there are any reductions, Bell said it would be in finalizing federal FY26, (a deliberation which would begin in October), which would impact FY27 at state and local level. Finally, Bell told the Board that though the federal government had shut off access to the last of the federal pandemic funding, leaving just over 20 districts and 2 private schools without access to $160M, the state has continued to fund their reimbursements, without being able to draw against the federal government in turn. As was mentioned earlier, this is among the items of litigation Attorney General Campbell is pursuing.
Prior to adjournment, Chair Craven announced that the CTE regulation subcommittee would meet remotely May 12; that the Board was reserving the evening of May 19 for a potential special meeting; and the next regular meeting on May 20 will be at Methuen High School.
Public Policy Update: May 2025 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Public Policy Reports: April 2025 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Incoming Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education is Pedro Martinez
FY26 House W&M Budget Proposal: Education Funding Highlights
Update Re: Department of Education Title VI Compliance Certification Request
Public Policy Reports: March Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Immigrant Students’ Right to Attend School: A Guide for Families
Public Policy Updates: February 2025 Board of Ed
MASC Resolutions Set to Expire in 2025
Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell Issue Guidance Re: Equal Access to Education
Public Policy Reports: April 2025 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at the Department offices in Everett. The agenda can be found here; a recording of the meeting can be viewed here.
The Board meeting opened with an hour of public comment, much on vocational admission regulations, which was not on this month’s agenda. The Board did, however, receive a letter from Attorney General Campbell urging the Board “to act with urgency to finalize the proposed regulations” and offering:
…additional refinements to the regulations to ensure that barriers to enrollment do not disproportionately exclude our most vulnerable students, particularly given the significant impacts of federal actions on these students in our Commonwealth.
Those testifying in opposition to proposed changes including Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and former Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray; Nashoba Valley Tech School Committee member Christopher Prehl; Tri County Regional Vocational Tracy Stewart; administrators from Madison Park Tech in Boston and Blackstone Valley Tech in Upton; a former valedictorian and now parent of a middle schooler; and an attorney representing MAVA, who invoked the potential for having to defend changes against the U.S. Department of Justice. Those testifying in support of changes were an attorney for the Center for Law and Education, and Chelsea High School student, who said that the system was “unfair and biased.” There was also public testimony regarding the need to support the needs of every child.
Secretary Tutwiler, reporting for both the Executive Office and the Department, lead by updating the work of the Executive Office on protecting “local school districts from funding cuts” and federal policy changes. He noted that Attorney General Andrea Campbell joined more than a dozen other states in suing the federal government regarding the end of access to pandemic aid. He spoke of the administration’s pushing back on the certification of compliance with Title VI on non-discrimination in a letter which stressed the value of people of diverse backgrounds. The Attorney General has joined 19 other states in suing the federal government regarding that. He also recognized the concerns around immigration actions in many communities, resulting in extended absences from school, and said that they are working to ensure districts are kept updated as changes may threaten. He said that in Massachusetts, “we’ll stay true” to every student being known and valued.
He announced, “I am pleased to formally accept the Board’s recommendation” of Pedro Martinez as the next Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Tutwiler also spoke of the Governor’s graduation council, which is holding public input sessions across the state. The first one was held in Taunton earlier this month. The next is Thursday, May 1 at 5 PM at Worcester Technical High School. Others upcoming:
The Secretary also spoke highly of his meeting last evening with Holyoke where the exit assurances for the resumption of local control were announced. He anticipates a smooth transition in July.
The Secretary reminded us all that it is Teacher Appreciation Week next week: “if you see a teacher, thank a teacher.” He recommended districts hold future teacher signing days to elevate and encourage those perusing teaching as a career.
The Board next honored Milken award winner Jillian Levreault, middle school science teacher in Southbridge. Levreault said she had an unconventional start to a teaching career, as “I didn’t have a great school experience myself.” She said she needs and wants to make a difference “to be the teacher I wish I had.” She said that teaching was more than learning content, but was building self-confidence in students so they can and want to access the content. She sets high expectations so the students can take academic risks, can change their minds based on new evidence. She said she asks herself every day as she enters her classroom, “Will my students have an advantage in the world because I am their teacher?”
Secretary Tutwiler took the opportunity to thank departing Southbridge receiver Jeffrey Villar, leaving at the end of April to become a superintendent in Connecticut. Bill Metzger, Southbridge Public Schools executive director of finance and human resources, will take over as interim receiver.
The Board next received an update on OpenSciEd, an open source K-12 science curriculum which Massachusetts has been a partner state in developing. The materials, which have been adopted by over 90 Massachusetts school districts, are intended to be “relevant, real-world, and interactive.” Through these set of instructional materials, students ask questions, conduct investigations, analyze data, and design solutions. Fall River, among the districts that has adopted the materials, was part of the presentation; Kimberly Laliberte, the Director of Science for the Fall River Public Schools, said it “has been a transformational move for science education in Fall River.”
Board members were interested in its adaptability, connection with literacy, and measurement of success. Member Mary Ann Stewart asked about what had been observed among educators in its adoption; Nicole Scola, DESE Assistant Director for Science, Technology, & Engineering, said that it pushed teachers to really think about the curriculum and change their ideas about how to implement science instruction.
The Board next took up a report from a task force on generative artificial intelligence. Jackie Gantzer, Director of school support and edtech said, in listening to stakeholders, they found “inconsistency with which [generative AI] is being used…[and had questions on] quality, safety, and effectiveness.” They also found that student exposure varies drastically from teacher to teacher, leading them to ask “is it this okay? why? for who?” In creating a task force, they focused on “support[ing] improved experiences for historically underserved students” in particular, ensuring their task force had a varied membership. invoking an analogy of generative artificial intelligence as scissors, in which the perceived danger was outweighed by utility with training, Gantzer presented three areas in which there will be future work: resource creation and curation; professional development; and policy supports.
Vice Chair Hills asked about the involvement of industry in the task force. Stewart was curious about support going forward, to which Gantzer replied that they will be “developing materials to develop AI literacy,” making information more widely available “given its prominence in our world.” Stewart further asked about bias; digital literacy and computer science standards already encompass things like bias, emphasizing “really looking at it with a critical eye.” Students are also taught “what is their data and how do they keep their data private and how do they not feed into that algorithm” in such classes.
The Board next took up a set of proposed amendments to 603 CMR 41.00 on regional schools to send out for public comment. The proposed amendments to regulations last amended in 2009 are, as the memo to the Board outlined:
Jay Sullivan of the Department’s finance office and Christine Lynch formerly of the regional schools emphasized that the proposed changes came directly from ongoing interactions with administrators, school committees, and municipalities. The proposed revisions fall under the following areas:
Vice Chair Hills raised a question of the length of the public comment period, which is 21 days by state law, precipitating a discussion of process by Hills; Grant, who suggested the incoming commissioner might have a perspective; and Moriarty. The Board did eventually vote to send the proposed revisions out for public comment, with a due date later in June.
Finally, the Board received an update on the budget from DESE CFO Bill Bell. The report was accompanied by a spreadsheet tracking accounts. Bell noted that the House is currently in budget deliberation on a budget proposal that broadly aligns with the budget proposed by the Governor in January. The largest change is a proposed minimum per pupil increase of $150/pupil; the Governor’s budget has $75. The House Ways and Means budget also increases funding for the circuit breaker and for regional transportation reimbursement.
He noted that they are keeping a close eye on what happens at the federal level on child nutrition, as changes there would have a cascading effect at the state level, though Bell acknowledged that such could be said of many things. At this time, the state is “not expecting any significant reduction” in federal grants for next school year, but are awaiting award letters. If there are any reductions, Bell said it would be in finalizing federal FY26, (a deliberation which would begin in October), which would impact FY27 at state and local level.
Finally, Bell told the Board that though the federal government had shut off access to the last of the federal pandemic funding, leaving just over 20 districts and 2 private schools without access to $160M, the state has continued to fund their reimbursements, without being able to draw against the federal government in turn. As was mentioned earlier, this is among the items of litigation Attorney General Campbell is pursuing.
Prior to adjournment, Chair Craven announced that the CTE regulation subcommittee would meet remotely May 12; that the Board was reserving the evening of May 19 for a potential special meeting; and the next regular meeting on May 20 will be at Methuen High School.