Boston School Committee Wins National Award

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, School Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Reilinger, and Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant held a press conference today to announce that the Boston School Committee has been selected as the recipient of the first Award for Urban School Board Excellence from the National School Boards Association/Council of Urban Boards of Education (NSBA/CUBE).

The Boston School Committee was chosen for this award for demonstrating excellence in four core areas: board governance, closing the achievement gap, academic achievement, and community engagement.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino congratulated the School Committee on receiving this honor. "Our appointed School Committee brings experience and professionalism to the task of improving teaching and learning for all children in the Boston Public Schools," he said. "Under their leadership, and that of Superintendent Tom Payzant, our students have made great gains."

School Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Reilinger affirmed the progress that BPS students have made in recent years. "Since 1998, students' passing and proficiency rates have steadily increased, and our rate of improvement has consistently met or exceeded the state average," she said. "We are proud of the progress our students have made, and look forward to continued improvement."

Dr. Reilinger also noted the important role that the School Committee plays in supporting teaching and learning through the development of policy initiatives, and in the continual monitoring of student progress.

Some of the School Committee's most significant policy initiatives include more rigorous attendance and promotion requirements, the creation of pilot schools ("in-district charter schools"), the opening of new school buildings -- including 3 Early Education Centers, the first new K-8 school in over 35 years and 2 middle schools -- and investments in our high schools, such as resources for accreditation, small learning communities, and district-wide high school renewal.

Superintendent Thomas Payzant noted the value of having a collegial relationship between the School Committee and Superintendent. "One of our strengths here in Boston is our ability to work together towards the common goal of high academic achievement for all students," he said.

Also on hand to announce the award were Anne Bryant, Executive Director of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), David Thomas, Chair of the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE), and Dan Domench, Senior Vice President for Urban Markets for McGraw-Hill Education, who presented the Boston School Committee with a check for $5,000 to which will be donated to the City of Boston Scholarship Fund to support scholarships for BPS students.