Superintendent Johnson seeks to expand Boston Public Schools' pilot school network

BOSTON - Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for new pilot schools. Dr. Johnson and the Boston School Committee, with support from Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Teachers Union (BTU) President Richard Stutman, are inviting existing Boston public schools to explore conversion to pilot school status.

The collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Teachers Union allows for the creation of up to seven new pilot schools. These schools are part of the Boston Public Schools but operate with autonomy from many district and union regulations, similar to charter schools.

The school district and the teachers' union will co-host an information session for principals and teachers, featuring a panel of educators from schools that have become pilots. The session will take place on Friday, January 4, at 4:00 p.m., in the Boston Teachers Union Hall, 180 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester.

Mayor Menino, who is scheduled to attend the information session, said, "Pilot schools are a great example of the innovations that can take place when labor and management work together on behalf of all students. We're proud to offer Boston families a wide array of choices in the Boston Public Schools, and we welcome the chance to expand the number of pilot schools available throughout the city."

Boston is now home to 18 pilot schools, two Horace Mann Charter Schools, and one Commonwealth pilot school. Together, these schools serve more than 7,000 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The schools have autonomy over budget, staffing, governance, curriculum, and the school calendar to meet the needs of students and families.

"In public education today, we simply cannot settle for the status quo," said Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger, Chairperson of the Boston School Committee. "In every one of the 144 Boston Public Schools - pilot and non-pilot alike - we must encourage, foster and reward innovation that leads to improved student achievement. The pilot schools present wonderful opportunities to try new approaches and to replicate those that prove to be most successful."

Dr. Johnson said, "We as a district must create the means for principals, teachers and others to understand all that is involved in becoming a pilot school -- including both the challenges and opportunities. If the faculty of any Boston public school have all the facts at their disposal and decide that they are ready to take that step, we certainly will do everything we can to support them in that process."

Schools that are interested in exploring conversion to pilot school are eligible to apply for funds of up to $18,000 per school from the Boston Foundation to support the school-wide planning process. At least two-thirds of the faculty must approve any proposal for pilot school conversion. Proposals must also be approved by the Joint BPS-BTU Steering Committee, and finally by the Boston School Committee.

"Becoming a Pilot School" Information Session Flier
http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/bulletins/PanelFlier.pdf

BPS Request for Proposals: New Pilot Schools
http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/bulletins/BPSApplication.pdf

The Boston Foundation Application for Planning Grants
http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/bulletins/BostonFoundationRFP.pdf