Opportunity to Join the Boston School Committee
Qualified Candidates Needed: Deadline July 31st
Want to play a key role in the future of the Boston Public Schools? Consider applying to join the Boston School Committee and fulfill the remaining term of Lorena Lopera. Ms. Lopera resigned from the School Committee effective July 3rd, leaving her position vacant until January 1, 2024. This presents a unique opportunity to step in and play a key role in shaping the future of the Boston Public Schools (BPS). If you are interested in serving on the School Committee, advocating for students, families, and educators, we encourage you to apply here.
Role of the School Committee – The Boston School Committee plays an essential role in determining the education policy agenda for Boston’s schools. As a governing body, the Committee is responsible for making important decisions that impact the direction and quality of education in Boston. They work towards creating an effective and inclusive educational system that meets the needs of students, families, and educators alike.
The School Committee defines the vision and goals of the BPS and establishes and monitors the annual BPS operating budget ($1.4B in FY24), ensuring that funds are appropriately distributed to benefit students and enhance the overall learning environment. The School Committee also has the important responsibility of selecting and evaluating the Superintendent. The School Committee consists of seven voting members and one non-voting student representative.
Requirements & Process – Applicants must be residents of Boston and complete the application form that asks for basic information about the candidate and written responses to a series of questions. Applicants will be vetted and publicly interviewed by the Nominating Panel, a 13-member panel of various backgrounds—from parents to business leaders. Interviews for selected candidates will be held the week of August 7th, between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Nominating Panel must then present three to five names to the Mayor and she must select one individual from this list. Interested applicants can download the application form here.
During Mayor Wu’s time as mayor, she has appointed four members to the School Committee—two new members and two reappointments from the previous administration.
Please direct all questions and submit completed applications to scnominatingpanel@boston.gov or mail/deliver to Room 612 of Boston City Hall. The deadline for all applications is 11:59 p.m. on July 31, 2023.
