Applications now being accepted for Boston School Committee

Mayor Kim Janey today announced applications are now being accepted by the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel, which is composed of parents, teachers, principals and representatives of the business and higher education communities, to fill four positions on the Boston School Committee. The positions include two 2-year terms, and two 4-year terms. Applications for the two sets of positions are due November 5 and November 24, respectively.

“The present and future strength of our City starts in the classroom with our children,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “Having representative voices on the Boston School Committee is essential to an equitable school system. I encourage everyone interested to apply to help foster Boston’s young leaders.”

The Boston School Committee is the governing body of the Boston Public Schools (BPS). The School Committee is responsible for:

• Defining the vision, mission, and goals of the Boston Public Schools;
• Establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget;
• Hiring, managing, and evaluating the Superintendent; and
• Setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement.  

The seven members of the School Committee are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor. The four open positions will be selected by the next Mayor of Boston, who is expected to be sworn in on November 16. 

The Mayor appoints members from a list of candidates recommended by a Nominating Panel. The School Committee also includes a non-voting student member of the Boston Student Advisory Council. To cultivate further Latinx representation on the Boston School Committee, Mayor Janey recently appointed Betty Francisco to the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel. Francisco, a Dorchester resident and BPS parent, is also an entrepreneur, business executive, attorney, and community leader. She started her service on the Panel in June.

The School Committee meets approximately twice per month during the school year to adopt, review and modify policies and practices that support teaching, learning and improved student achievement. With the exception of executive sessions, Committee meetings are open to the public, feature public comment periods and are broadcast on Boston City TV.  

The 2-year term applications are due Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. The deadline to apply for the 4-year term is Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants who wish to apply for both terms should do so by Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. 

Interviews for selected 2-year candidates will be held on November 9, 2021 between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Interviews for selected 4-year candidates will be held on November 30, 2021 between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Interviews will be conducted virtually.

Please direct all questions and submit completed applications to scnominatingpanel@boston.gov or mail/deliver to Room 612 of Boston City Hall. You can learn more about the Boston School Committee online.