Council advances multiple education hearings and requests independent audit of BPS finances

Multiple education items dominated the council’s agenda on Feb. 11 as members filed hearing orders and advanced first‑reading appropriations tied to state approvals.

Councilor Weber, Ways & Means chair, reported on MSBA Accelerated Repair Program submissions and the need to appropriate funds within the MSBA’s 90‑day window. Dockets 0128 and 0129 — totaling $9.5 million for window, door and roof replacements at several BPS schools — were read and received the committee’s recommendation; the council recorded affirmative votes to advance both dockets for further action. Weber said architects will finish design this winter with construction slated for 2027 and outlined the MSBA review steps.

Education hearings were filed on MassCore graduation requirements (Councilor Santana), graduation‑requirement implementation and waivers (Councilor Murphy), community‑college access (Councilor Louis Jain), and student academic outcomes and return on investment (Councilor Murphy). Murphy also filed an order seeking a full independent audit of BPS finances and operations, citing the district’s approximately $1.7 billion operating budget and remaining concerns about student outcomes despite significant pandemic‑era federal funding.

Separately, Councilors Murphy and Flynn filed an emergency hearing order on chronic school‑bus delays and special‑education transportation failures, citing repeated incidents of buses arriving hours late and students in wheelchairs being left on campus for multiple hours. Murphy said the volume of constituent complaints warrants an expedited hearing; the matter was referred to the Education committee.

Ending: The council will hold committee hearings and requests staff and department heads to provide data and testimony about budget shortfalls, MSBA timelines, graduation‑requirement implementation, transportation contracts and audit scope.