April 3, 2016 – The annual budget problems facing the Boston Public Schools are not due to the increase in Commonwealth charter school seats in Boston. The charter schools do not receive an unfair share of Boston’s public resources for education.
Read our latest Special Report: The True Costs of Boston’s Charter Schools>
March 3, 2016 – The Research Bureau released a Special Report today, that assesses the results after two years of a bold initiative undertaken by the Boston Public Schools to improve the quality of teachers in every Boston classroom. Read the full report>
Boston’s fiscal 2015 taxable value has surpassed $100 billion for the first time in Boston’s history. Business property, especially commercial property, cross-subsidizes low residential tax rates. New growth at $44.5 million represents 50% of the total tax levy increase, demonstrating the importance of development to continued revenue growth for Boston. Full Report>
Yearly budget gaps in the BPS are the norm and are caused by several recurring issues. With a budget passing the $1B mark, it is time to deal head on with these issues. Read our Special Report to get the inside story on escalating personnel costs, the most expensive school transportation model in the country, 4,100 empty seats that still drain resources, declining grant funds that put added pressure on the system and a BPS budget that outpaces growth in other city departments. Full Report>