Boston School Committee approves $3.47 million in grants, sets superintendent review calendar

BOSTON — July 17, 2024 — Boston School Committee unanimously approves $3.47 million in six grants and launches annual superintendent evaluation. The committee, chaired by Jeri Robinson, cleared all six grants without objection at its July 17 meeting, including a $1,332,000 intensive assistance grant for academic acceleration academies and an adult literacy grant funding high school equivalency and English language programs for parents. Robinson announced that Member Steven Alkins and Vice Chair Michael O'Neill will again lead the evaluation of Superintendent Mary Skipper, with a summative review scheduled for a special virtual meeting August 19 and a committee vote set for August 28. Transportation Director Dan Rosengart reported that nearly 90 percent of summer bus drivers successfully used the new Zum GPS platform in its first week, covering roughly 3,000 students. Public commenters, including education advocate John Mudd, pressed the committee to obtain 2024 ACCESS and MCAS outcome data for English learner students before expanding the district's multilingual inclusion model — a request at least two committee members formally seconded before adjournment.