Mayor Menino Appoints School Committee Members

Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the re-appointment of Alfreda Harris and the appointment of Reverend Dr. Gregory Groover, Sr. for four-year terms as Boston School Committee Members. Mayor Menino will swear in Harris and Rev. Groover in his office on January 1, 2007. The Boston School Committee will hold its annual organizational meeting immediately thereafter at 10:00 a.m. in the Winter Chamber, 26 Court Street.

"The Boston School Committee plays a vital role in the partnership between the School Department and the community," Mayor Menino said. "I am extremely pleased today to appoint and re-appoint two extraordinary citizens who have devoted their careers to supporting children and families; both of whom are highly respected role models."

Alfreda Harris is the longest serving Boston School Committee member, having first been appointed in September, 1993. A resident of Roslindale, Ms. Harris is the Project Director for Harvard School of Public Health's "Play Across Boston" and for Northeastern University's "Sport in Society." She is the former Deputy Commissioner of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. As the founder and director of the Shelburne Recreation Center, Ms. Harris has been credited with developing programming for thousands of young people. Alfreda Harris is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Shattuck Award for Public Service.

Rev. Groover of Roxbury is the pastor of The Historic Charles Street AME Church and Chair of the Education Committee of the Black Ministerial Alliance. Rev. Groover holds graduate degrees in social work, divinity, and ministry and is an active member of numerous boards, including Massachusetts Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Citizens Commission on Academic Success. He, too, has been recognized many times for his leadership in the community.

The Boston School Committee is a seven-member board, which governs and sets policy for the 145 Boston Public Schools. Any Boston resident is eligible to apply for a position. A 13-member citizens nominating panel accepted nominations this fall before recommending candidates to Mayor Menino in early December. Mayor Menino interviewed all finalists before making his selection.