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Council adds emergency late‑file hearing order after BPS announces school closures and mergers; sponsors seek immediate briefings
Summary
Following reports that Boston Public Schools will close or merge several schools in the 2026–27 cycle, councilors filed an emergency late‑file hearing order asking for briefings and committee hearings. Sponsors and members said communication with district communities was insufficient and pledged oversight.
After reports and internal notices that Boston Public Schools planned closures and mergers for 2026–27, Councilors Raul and Erin Murphy filed an emergency late‑file hearing order on Jan. 8 to examine the district’s facilities decisions and the process used to reach them. Murphy said she had received calls from school staff and families who first heard rumors rather than formal briefings and urged the administration to provide an immediate briefing to the council.
Councilors noted that decisions to close or merge schools have long‑term effects on students, teachers and neighborhoods and requested an expedited process to get answers from the superintendent and school officials. Councilor Flynn, who represents a district including a school named on the list, recounted being told via late‑night press releases rather than advance notice and said community members did not have adequate opportunity for engagement.
The council added the late‑file hearing order to the agenda and referred it to the Education Committee; sponsors asked the administration for an early briefing before the superintendent’s planned Jan. 22 presentation to the School Committee and requested documentation of the data and criteria used to propose closures.
Ending: The Education Committee will convene hearings and briefings; councilors said they will press the district for documentation and public meetings so that families and staff can participate before final actions are set.
