READING -
From its inception in 1837, the Massachusetts Board of Education established a reputation for independence which, for more than 170 years, allowed its members to conduct their business free of outside political influence.
All of that changed in Feb. 2008, when the Legislature approved Governor Patrick’s sweeping education reorganization plan. The creation of a new Executive Office of Education – overseen by a Cabinet-level secretary appointed by the governor – marked the end of the board’s proud history of independence begun under Horace Mann, the man often referred to as “the father of American public education.”
As the reorganization plan was making its way through the legislative process nearly two years ago, I warned that we were heading down a slippery slope and taking a major step backwards on education reform. My main concern was that the loss of an independent board would result in a more politicized process that would inevitably lead to any number of questionable education decisions being made.
Although I wish I had been wrong, recent events have unfortunately proven my concerns to be well-founded.
On Jan. 2, Inspector General Gregory Sullivan released a report detailing his investigation into the process used to award a school charter to the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School in February of 2009. The school is scheduled to open next fall with an initial enrollment of approximately 120 students in grades 4-7.
The Inspector General’s report is an eye-opener, filled with details that show the decision to grant the charter was far from impartial. One of the most shocking revelations is that certain documents pertaining to the application process may have been shredded, which does not reflect well on an administration that claims to embrace openness and transparency in state government.