Mayor-elect Marty Walsh’s transition team held a public forum on education in Boston at English High on Dec. 10.
The transition team spoke very little, giving almost all of the forum’s time to listening to the input from a nearly full auditorium of community members on topics such as charter schools, support for early childhood and special education programs, and general school programming.
Eytan Wurman, music director at English High School, spoke in favor of bringing back and strengthening music and arts programs, asking that the new administration hire “full-time, credentialed arts and music teachers” for every school.
Charter schools were a frequent topic of opinion, with some speakers supporting lifting the cap on charters, while others opposing it.
While charter schools are serving some students, “we need the resources to serve the students not being served by them,” JP resident and Charlestown High School teacher Chikae Yamauchi said.
Some kind of community input on school board members was a frequent request.
Many speakers also expressed concern at the achievement gap and at fostering culturally-sensitive curricula.
Walsh was not present. The “transition team” is forming his new administration and helping to set its policies.
More transition team meetings are expected. For more information, see boston14.org.