Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

Board Documents — May 2025

Regular Meeting

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Methuen High School
1 Ranger Road, Methuen, MA 01844
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 9:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.

Posted: 5/14/2025 12:00 p.m.

Statements from the Public*

Chair Opening Comments

Comments from the Secretary/Interim Commissioner:

  • Teacher Appreciation Week Highlights
  • Update on Commissioner Search
  • Statewide Graduation Council
  • Catalog of Aligned Supports
  • Student Attendance

Routine Business:

Approval of the Minutes of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Meeting, April 17, 2025 and April 22, 2025, and Regular Meeting, April 29, 2025

Agenda Items:

  1. Welcome from Student Board Member and Methuen Public Schools

  2. Career Technical Education: Amendments to Regulations on Vocational Technical Education, 603 CMR 4.00 (Recruitment and Admissions) Discussion and Vote
    Attachments: Career Technical Education Slides
  3. Competency Determination: Amendments to Regulations on MCAS and Competency Determination, 603 CMR 30.00 (Addressing Changes in Statute) Discussion and Vote
    Attachments: Competency Determination Slides
  4. Educator Licensure: Amendments to Regulations on Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval, 603 CMR 7.00 (MTEL Alternatives and Other Updates) Discussion and Vote
    Attachments: Educator Licensure Slides
  5. Education Budget Update

Other Items for Information:

  1. Proposed BESE Meeting Schedule for SY2025-2026

  2. Reports on Grants Approved by the Commissioner

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Members

  • Ms. Katherine Craven, Chair, Brookline
  • Mr. Matt Hills, Vice-Chair, Newton
  • Mr. Ioannis Asikis, Student Member, Brookline
  • Dr. Ericka Fisher, Worcester
  • Dr. Christina Grant, Cambridge
  • Ms. Farzana Mohamed, Newton
  • Mr. Michael Moriarty, Holyoke
  • Ms. D lida Rocha, Worcester
  • Ms. Mary Ann Stewart, Lexington
  • Dr. Patrick A. Tutwiler, Secretary of Education, Andover
  • Dr. Martin West, Newton

Dr. Patrick A. Tutwiler, Interim Commissioner
Secretary to the Board

The BESE meeting will be livestreamed and recorded .

*The Board welcomes public comment on matters within its purview. Accordingly, the Board makes available a maximum 30-minute period at its regular meetings for persons in the audience to address the Board for no longer than 3 minutes. Written material of any length may be submitted. Preference will be given to persons who seek to address the Board on specific agenda items for the upcoming Board meeting. Agendas for upcoming Board meetings are generally posted 5 days prior to the meeting on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's website. Persons wishing to speak are strongly encouraged to submit their request before the day of the meeting; contact information is provided below. Preference will be given to those who submit requests by 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the regular Tuesday meeting. If time permits, the Chair will allow members of the public who have not contacted the Department in advance to speak in the public comment period; those individuals must sign in prior to the start of the meeting. The Chair may limit the number of speakers due to time constraints and may increase or reduce the time allocated per speaker. While there is no requirement to submit comments in writing, a speaker who elects to do so should submit 15 copies of their comments prior to or at the meeting for distribution to Board members.

Requests to address the Board, written comments, and other inquiries may be transmitted by mail, e-mail, fax, or telephone to: Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149, Phone: 781-338-3112, Fax: 781-338-3770, Email: BoardofEducation@mass.gov . Please make any requests for special accommodations or interpretation services at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires all visitors to its office at 135 Santilli Highway to sign-in at the reception desk on the 3rd floor and provide a valid photo ID. Consistent with this policy, members of the public who wish to attend this Board meeting in person at Methuen High School must sign-in at the auditorium entrance (door #23) with a valid photo ID.

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

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