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Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

Board Documents — December 2024

Regular Meeting

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway
Everett, Massachusetts 02149
Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Posted: 12/12/2024 10:00 a.m.

Statements from the Public*

Secretary Opening Comments:

  • 2025 Teacher of the Year
  • FY26 Budget

Commissioner Opening Comments:

  • Updates on District and School Receiverships
  • Updates on Upcoming Proposed Changes to Licensure Regulations

Briefing

Routine Business:

Approval of the Minutes of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Meetings, November 15, 2024 , and November 18, 2024 , and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Regular Meeting, November 19, 2024

Agenda Items:

  1. Update on Commissioner Search Process

  2. Teacher of the Year Presentation and Discussion

  3. Educational Vision Update and Advancing Student Learning
    DESE's Educational Vision and Advancing Student Learning

  4. Career Technical Education admissions committee update — Discussion

  5. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools: Tuition Rate Continuing Discussion and Vote
    Attachments:
  6. Competency Determination Update — Discussion
    Competency Determination Update

Other Items for Information:

  1. SOA Data Advisory Commission Report

  2. FY2026 Education Budget Priorities from Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Budget transmittal letter and memo
    Attachment:

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Members

  • Ms. Katherine Craven, Chair, Brookline
  • Mr. Matt Hills, Vice-Chair, Newton
  • Mr. Ioannis Asikis, Student Member, Brookline
  • Dr. Ericka Fisher, Worcester
  • Ms. Farzana Mohamed, Newton
  • Mr. Michael Moriarty, Holyoke
  • Ms. Dálida Rocha, Worcester
  • Ms. Mary Ann Stewart, Lexington
  • Dr. Patrick A. Tutwiler, Secretary of Education, Andover
  • Dr. Martin West, Newton

Dr. Russell D. Johnston, Acting Commissioner
Secretary to the Board

The BESE meeting will be livestreamed and recorded.

*The Board welcomes public comment on matters within its purview. Accordingly, the Board makes available a maximum 30-minute period at its regular meetings for persons in the audience to address the Board for no longer than 3 minutes. Written material of any length may be submitted. Preference will be given to persons who seek to address the Board on specific agenda items for the upcoming Board meeting. Agendas for upcoming Board meetings are generally posted 5 days prior to the meeting on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's website. Persons wishing to speak are strongly encouraged to submit their request before the day of the meeting; contact information is provided below. Preference will be given to those who submit requests by 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the regular Tuesday meeting. If time permits, the Chair will allow members of the public who have not contacted the Department in advance to speak in the public comment period; those individuals must sign in prior to the start of the meeting. The Chair may limit the number of speakers due to time constraints and may increase or reduce the time allocated per speaker. While there is no requirement to submit comments in writing, a speaker who elects to do so should submit 15 copies of their comments prior to or at the meeting for distribution to Board members.

Requests to address the Board, written comments, and other inquiries may be transmitted by mail, e-mail, fax, or telephone to: Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149, Phone: 781-338-3112, Fax: 781-338-3770, Email: BoardofEducation@mass.gov . Please make any requests for special accommodations or interpretation services at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires all visitors to its office at 135 Santilli Highway to sign-in at the reception desk on the 3rd floor and provide a valid photo ID. Consistent with this policy, members of the public who wish to attend a Board meeting in person must sign-in at the reception desk with a valid photo ID.

Last Updated: December 18, 2024

 
Contact Us

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

Voice: (781) 338-3000
TTY: (800) 439-2370

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