Introduction: 

At last night’s meeting, many important issues were discussed and decided. These included an important memo about enrollment decline, a school closure vote, and a budget update. Conversations between the Committee and district pointed to long-term issues for BPS.

Public Comment Period: 

The meeting moved directly into the public comment period. There were 30 speakers, with the overwhelming majority urging the Committee to halt the proposed school closures. Testimony from teachers, parents, students, and organizers emphasized a lack of transparency, insufficient engagement, and deep uncertainty about what will happen to students once schools close. Speakers repeatedly stressed that families and educators had received vague answers to direct questions about transition plans, accountability, and the future placement of students, particularly those requiring inclusive services.

Public comments reflected a consistent pattern of frustration and distrust. Speakers argued that the timeline for closures was rushed, poorly communicated, and intentionally scheduled during a period when families are least able to engage. Several compared the process to other recent district decisions, including exam school admissions changes, noting a recurring lack of meaningful community input.

A New Collective Bargaining Agreement:

Following public comment, the Committee unanimously approved the collective bargaining agreement between the district and the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors for the 2024–2027 period. The Superintendent noted that the agreement requires a supplemental appropriation to fund the updated contract. While the vote passed unanimously, the discussion raised questions about how collective bargaining costs are cited as a driver of budget pressure while receiving limited scrutiny during approval.

The School Closure Vote: 

The most anticipated item of the evening was the vote on school closures. Chair Robinson framed the decision as part of a broader strategy to improve academic outcomes, address underutilized facilities, and strengthen the district’s long-term sustainability. Superintendent Skipper emphasized declining enrollment, excess capacity, and the need to concentrate resources in fewer schools, referencing the district’s long-term facilities framework and enrollment projections as justification for the closures.

Committee members expressed significant unease ahead of the vote. Several members raised concerns about students who have already experienced multiple school transitions due to prior closures and questioned whether the district has tracked outcomes for those students. Others noted confusion around the district’s emphasis on facilities, particularly in cases where school buildings remain in usable condition. Members also highlighted broader systemic failures, including the absence of a clear, actionable long-term facilities plan and a history of delayed accountability.

Despite widespread concern, unresolved questions, and visible discomfort among several members, the Committee approved the school closure plan by a vote of six in favor and one opposed. The discussion made clear that some members viewed the vote as a necessary fiscal decision rather than an educational one, underscoring the tension between budget realities and student-centered outcomes.

A Financial Update: 

The final presentation of the evening focused on the district’s financial outlook as budget season begins for the Committee. Superintendent Skipper described mounting fiscal pressures, including rising healthcare costs, collective bargaining agreements, transportation expenses, special education costs, and continued enrollment decline. District leadership also introduced the transition from weighted student funding to a new rules-based funding formula, intended to more equitably fund schools and provide greater transparency.

Chief Financial Officer David Bloom explained that the new funding model prioritizes required staffing and non-personnel costs before allocating remaining resources, marking a shift away from per-pupil funding. District leadership emphasized that transition support will be provided to schools over the next two years, as the shift occurs. Committee discussion highlighted the district’s nearly $150 million transportation budget, inefficiencies in service delivery, and parallels between rising healthcare and transportation costs. Members raised concerns about accountability and questioned whether longstanding inefficiencies are being meaningfully addressed.

Committee members also questioned the growth in support staff amid declining enrollment. District officials indicated that staffing reductions will largely affect classroom teachers and paraprofessionals, while attempting to preserve positions tied to inclusive education and student support services. Estimates suggest that several hundred positions may be eliminated as enrollment continues to fall and schools close, reinforcing concerns about the district’s long-term workforce planning.

A Closing Recognition and Looking Ahead: 

The meeting concluded with the Committee honoring Vice Chair Michael O’Neill for his 17 years of service to the BPS and the City of Boston. 

The next public meeting will be held virtually on January 21st, 2026 at 5:30pm. In the meantime, we hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season filled with health, joy, and community. We will see you in the new year!