The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Delegated Authority to the Commissioner
April 2013
| Category: | Student Learning Time |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to grant waivers of any requirements set forth in the Student Learning Time Requirements to encourage innovative programs and schedules intended to improve student learning. The Commissioner shall report periodically to the Board on the waiver process and standards. |
| Category: | Advisory Councils |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to appoint and reappoint members to Board advisory councils. When vacancies occur, the Commissioner shall invite nominations from the Board and other organizations. The Commissioner shall also periodically report on appointments and reappointments to the Board. |
February 2013
| Category: | Educational Collaboratives |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to approve collaborative agreements and any subsequent amendments to such agreements. The Commissioner shall report periodically to the Board on all collaborative agreements including any subsequent amendments that he has approved. |
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes Commissioner to (1) grant charter renewals that do not involve probation; (2) approve charter amendments that do not involve changes in grade span, maximum enrollment, or districts served; and (3) remove or continue conditions imposed on charters of charter schools. The Commissioner shall report to the Board on all charter renewals, charter amendments, and conditions that have been so approved. The Commissioner shall notify the Board in advance of all such intended actions, and a Board member may request that the Commissioner place the charter matter(s) on the Board agenda for discussion and action. |
January 2013
| Category: | Virtual Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to issue requests for proposals inviting applicants that wish to open a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School. Authorizes the Commissioner to evaluate all responses received and to present recommendations to the Board for the issuance of certificates to establish Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools. |
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to suspend and revoke the charter of New Leadership Charter School on an emergency basis if the Commissioner determines that the health, safety, or education of the school's students is at immediate risk. The Commissioner shall notify the Board in advance of his intent to take such action. |
December 2012
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to suspend or revoke the charter of Gloucester Community Arts Charter School on an emergency basis if the Commissioner determines that the health, safety, or education of the school's students is at immediate risk. The Commissioner shall notify the Board in advance of his intent to take such action. |
June 2012
| Category: | Action Between Board Meetings | |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to approve any matters that are not otherwise covered by the Board's previous delegations of authority and that require Board action between June 27, 2012 and the next regular meeting in September 2012. The Commissioner shall notify Board members in advance of any such action and shall report to the Board on any matters that have been so approved. |
October 2011
| Category: | ESEA / NCLB Waiver |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to submit a flexibility waiver application to the U.S. Department of Education consistent with the elements contained in his memorandum and presentation. |
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to (1) grant charter renewals that do not involve probation and (2) approve charter amendments that do not involve changes in grade span, maximum enrollment, or districts served. The Commissioner shall report to the Board on all charter renewals and charter amendments that have been so approved. The Commissioner shall notify the Board in advance of all such intended actions, and a Board member may request that the Commissioner place the charter matter(s) on the Board agenda for discussion and action. |
June 2011
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to approve the management contract between UP Academy Charter School of Boston and Unlocking Potential and the management contract(s) between Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, Grove Hall Preparatory Charter School, and Dorchester Preparatory Charter School and Uncommon Schools. |
December 2010
| Category: | Comprehensive Audits |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to allow multiple comprehensive audits or reviews of schools and districts within a nine-month period. The Commissioner shall report to the Board on any such scheduling decisions that he makes on the Board's behalf. |
May 2010
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to approve the management contract between Lowell Community Charter Public School and Renaissance School Services LLC. The Commissioner shall notify the Board in advance of his intended approval of the contract and charter amendment, and a Board member may request that the Commissioner place the matter on a Board agenda for discussion and action. |
September 2009
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to (1) grant charter renewals that do not involve conditions or probation and (2) approve charter amendments that do not involve changes in grade span, maximum enrollment, or districts served. The Commissioner shall report to the Board on all charter renewals and charter amendments that have been approved. The Commissioner shall notify the Board in advance of all such intended actions, and a Board member may request that the Commissioner place the charter matter(s) on the Board agenda for discussion and action. |
June 2009
| Category: | Non-Operating School Districts |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to approve the annual requests submitted by the superintendents and school committees of towns that do not operate their own schools and seek to tuition their students to public schools in another town. The Commissioner shall report to the Board on the school districts that have been so approved. |
January 2009
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to impose such conditions on Uphams Corner Charter School and on its board of trustees as he determines are necessary to enable the school to complete the current school year. |
October 2008
| Category: | Charter Schools |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to approve loans to charter schools with repayment terms that exceed the duration of the charter. The Commissioner shall report to the Board on any loans that he has approved. |
| Category: | Grants |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to approve state and federal competitive grants. The Commissioner shall report to the Board on any grants that he has approved. |
September 2008
| Category: | Grants |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner to approve grants between September 10, 2008 and the Board's regular meeting on October 21, 2008. The Commissioner shall report to the Baord on any grants that he has approved. |
June 2008
| Category: | Grants |
| Summary: | Authorizes the Commissioner, in consultation with the Chair and Board members, to approve grants and any other matters that require action between the June meeting and the next regular Board meeting. |