MALDEN, MASS. (WHDH) - Boston school leaders will meet with the state in Malden today to discuss the future of the district after they reached an agreement on a plan to improve the school district.
The plan states that, over the next three years, the city will work to address problems in the district’s special education and English learning programs. The city will also address student safety and transportation issues.
“Local communities know best the issues facing our schools and our students and their families, and local communities are best positioned to deliver on that change,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said at the meeting.
Wu, the city and school officials are expected to make regular reports, meet on a monthly basis during the first year of the plan and every other month during the following years until June 2025 to discuss priorities. An independent auditor will also monitor data. DESE is providing $10 million in financial support as well as technical support for the district.
Because the board and district have reached an agreement, the BPS will not be declared an underperforming district.
The Boston Teachers Union, parents and students protested outside the meeting. BTU President Jessica Tang said that state control should never have been discussed as an option at all.
“You just have to ask us. We have literally dozens of proposals of how to improve Boston Public Schools,” Tang said.
Wu said at the meeting that this is the outcome she had hoped for, and that this plan will set the district up for success.
“Boston is ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work,” she said.
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