Boston School Committee Approves $61,730 in Grants, Defers Facilities and Charter Votes

BOSTON -- May 8, 2024, Boston School Committee defers votes on charter amendments and school choice opt-out to May 22, approving only $61,730 in routine grants at its May 8 meeting. Superintendent Mary Skipper and senior staff presented three major reports: an update on UP Academy Boston and Dorchester charter memoranda of understanding, the district's annual recommendation to opt out of the Massachusetts Inter-District School Choice Program, and a long-term facilities plan citing 11 active capital projects projected to create more than 6,000 new high-quality seats. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Traci Tavares argued for continued non-participation in school choice, noting the district's $30,400 per-pupil cost against a state reimbursement cap of $5,000, with neighboring Newton among 145 districts that also voted to opt out. Chief of Planning Deliverne Stanislaus pledged that proposed school closures or mergers would not be implemented before the 2025-26 school year, with a $38 million Bloomberg Philanthropies grant to expand the Edward M. Kennedy Health Careers Academy from 400 to 800 students anchoring the investment side of the plan. Representatives of the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Grove Hall and the Ruth Batson Academy in Dorchester appeared in public comment, urging the committee to guarantee community input before June 17 votes finalize any closures.