Student and Family Support (SFS)

2026 Model SRO MOU Commission

Public input opportunities June 15–July 31, 2026 to help inform an updated model SRO MOU
Please see the bottom of this page, under SRO MOU Review Commission Public Comment Opportunities, for detailed information on how to provide feedback on SRO programs, to help inform the state's efforts to update the model SRO MOU.

Under Massachusetts State Law Chapter 71, Section 37P(b) (M.G.L.ch.71§37P(b)), the Model School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding (SRO MOU) Review Commission (Commission) is required to meet every five years to review and develop the model SRO MOU, with the most recent SRO MOU developed in 2021 and publicly posted in 2022. The Commission is co-chaired by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), with committee members representing state agencies, local organizations, law enforcement, and community members.

Information about the Commission, including members and meeting dates, is provided below. Please contact Juin Liu with questions.

Members

(listed in order of entities identified in M.G.L.ch.71§37P(b))

  • Co-Chair: Rachelle Engler Bennett, Associate Commissioner, Student and Family Support (DESE)
  • Co-Chair: Angela Davis, Assistant Undersecretary of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (EOPSS)
  • Liza Hirsch, Director of Children's Justice Unit, Attorney General's Office
  • Brigid Kennedy-Pfister, Senior Legal Counsel, Office of the Child Advocate
  • Kelleigh Parette, Associate Counsel, Juvenile Court
  • Jill Clark, Director of the Division of Child/Adolescent Health and Reproductive Health (DPH), Department of Health and Human Services
  • Jeffrey Marsden, Superintendent, MA Association of School Superintendents
  • Marc Montminy, Uxbridge Chief of Police, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association
  • Ryan Malatos, Leominster Chief of Police, Massachusetts Major City Chiefs
  • Thomas Karns, Veteran Training Division Manager, Municipal Police Training Committee
  • Annie E. Lee, Counsel, Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission
  • Phillip Kassel, Executive Director, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
  • Leon Smith, Executive Director, Citizens for Juvenile Justice
  • Rachel Gwaltney, Executive Director, Children's League of Massachusetts
  • Melissa Spash, Superintendent, Natick Public Schools, appointed by Senate President
  • Paula Zandbergs, Computer Science Teacher, Chelsea High School, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
  • Michael Hursh, School Adjustment Counselor, North Reading Middle School, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate
  • Parent or guardian (vacant, to be appointed by Minority Leader of the House)
  • Massachusetts Association of School Committees (vacant, to be appointed by the Governor)
  • Massachusetts School Counselors Association (vacant, to be appointed by the Governor)
  • Massachusetts youth organization (vacant, to be appointed by the Governor)
  • Massachusetts youth organization (vacant, to be appointed by the Governor)

Meetings

All meetings will be held virtually from 10:00–11:30 a.m., unless otherwise noted. If you plan to attend a meeting, please email achievement@mass.gov at least two business days in advance to request login information.

SRO MOU Review Commission Public Comment Opportunities

Starting with the meeting on February 25, 2026, the Model SRO MOU Review Commission (Commission) welcomes public comment on matters within its purview (related to the Commission charges and agenda topics). Accordingly, the Commission makes available a maximum 15-minute period at its regular meetings for persons in the audience to address the members for no longer than 3 minutes. Written material of any length may be submitted and will be distributed to Commission members for their consideration. Agendas for upcoming Commission meetings are generally posted at least 2 business days prior to the meeting. 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., 2 business days preceding the meeting (e.g., by Thursday if the meeting is on the following Monday). If time permits, the Commission co-chairs will allow members of the public who have not contacted the Department in advance to speak in the public comment period; those individuals are asked to sign in prior to the start of the meeting and request to give public comment. Requests to address the Commission, written comments, and other inquiries may be transmitted by email to achievement@mass.gov , with the subject heading "ATTN: SRO MOU Review Commission." Please make any requests for special accommodations or interpretation services at least 2 business days prior to the scheduled meeting.

Public input sought to help inform an updated Model SRO MOU

The Model School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding (SRO MOU) Review Commission (Commission) is updating the model SRO MOU and is seeking input from the Massachusetts public on how the SRO MOU can better support school districts' and charter schools' partnerships with local police departments to provide safe and supportive learning environments for all students. The public input period starts on June 15, 2026 and ends on July 31, 2026. Detailed information can be found in the links below:

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, an affirmative action employer, is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and facilities are accessible to all members of the public. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Inquiries regarding the Department's compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Human Resources Director, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149, phone: 781-338-6105.

Last Updated: June 17, 2026

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