State News

Schools Closed In Massachusetts Until At Least April 7th

Posted on Monday, March 16th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: news staff, WROR
Date: 3/15/2020
Link: Complete Article

Part of the restrictions Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker imposed on the state on Sunday evening was a statewide closure of all schools in the Bay State. The Governor said that school districts were working to find alternative methods of learning for students while they are out. “We understand that many districts rely on school buildings… [Read More]

Mass Association of School Superintendents Supports Attorney General Healey in JUUL lawsuit announcement

Posted on Thursday, February 20th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Erica Hedrick, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents
Date: 2/12/2020
Link: Complete Article

Paul Andrews, M.A.S.S. Director of Professional Development and Government Relation, represented M.A.S.S. today as Attorney General Maura Healey announced that her office has sued JUUL Labs Inc. for creating a youth vaping epidemic by intentionally marketing and selling its e-cigarettes to young people. Based on multiple depositions and hundreds of thousands of pages of company… [Read More]

Massachusetts Senate passes Breakfast After the Bell legislation

Posted on Friday, January 17th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Jodi Reed, WWLP
Date: 1/16/2020
Link: Complete Article

BOSTON (WWLP) – Several schools in the western part of the state already offer what is known as the Breakfast After the Bell program, which makes sure students aren’t hungry when they are trying to learn. The Breakfast After the Bell bill passed the House before legislators went on their Christmas break. On Thursday, it… [Read More]

Local eighth-graders honored as Project 351 ambassadors, will meet Gov. Baker

Posted on Friday, January 17th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: David McLellan, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 1/16/2020
Link: Complete Article

At 18 years old, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, “Intelligence plus character — that is the true goal of education,” in an essay for his Morehouse College newspaper. That sentiment will ring true this weekend when students from across the state meet in Boston to reflect on King’s legacy, as well as continue their own… [Read More]

Holliston’s Jackson named Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year

Posted on Friday, January 10th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Cesareo Contreras, Milford Daily News
Date: 1/8/2020
Link: Complete Article

For 33 years, the American Association of School Administrators has recognized one superintendent in each of the 50 states who has displayed exceptional leadership in the areas of education, professional development and community involvement. HOLLISTON – Lauded for his strong leadership skills and commitment to public education, Superintendent Bradford Jackson has been named the Massachusetts… [Read More]

Area lawmakers active in crafting landmark education bill

Posted on Thursday, November 21st, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Dusty Crhistensen, Hampshire Daily Gazette
Date: 11/20/2019
Link: Complete Article

BOSTON — It was a joyous atmosphere on Beacon Hill Wednesday as the state Legislature unanimously passed the $1.5 billion Student Opportunity Act school funding bill. And western Massachusetts lawmakers have their fingerprints all over the legislation. The landmark compromise legislation is a significant overhaul of the state’s Chapter 70 education funding formula. It was… [Read More]

Mass. Early Educators Will Get A Raise After State Board Vote

Posted on Friday, October 11th, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Matt Murphy, WBUR
Date: 10/10/2019
Link: Complete Article

Early educators are getting a raise after the Board of Early Education and Care voted Wednesday for a $20 million rate increase to be put toward improved programming and higher salaries for teachers and staff, according to the Baker administration. The funding was approved by the Legislature as part of the fiscal 2020 budget signed by Gov…. [Read More]

More state aid for rural schools this year

Posted on Friday, August 23rd, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Anita Fritz, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 8/22/2019
Link: Complete Article

Sen. Adam Hinds asked for and received $1 million more from the state’s Rural School Aid grant program this year, increasing the budget to $2.5 million and leaving superintendentsthroughout Franklin County waiting to see just how much of the pie they’ll get. “The fight for equal opportunity through education means we need to ensure all… [Read More]

Mass. Schools Get More Money In The Latest Budget. A Lot More Is Likely On The Way

Posted on Thursday, July 25th, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Max Larkin, WBUR
Date: 7/24/2019
Link: Complete Article

At first glance, the state’s much delayed fiscal 2020 budget — more appropriately a $43.1 billion spending blueprint for the next 12 months — appears to have been a win for the more conservative House membership. Both branches passed the bill on Monday with only one dissenting vote, thus making it virtually veto proof as… [Read More]

Schools end blizzard bag program after state cancels initiative

Posted on Monday, July 15th, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Grace Bird, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 7/15/2019
Link: Complete Article

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education canceled the “blizzard bag” initiative late last month, citing concerns about equal access to the program. Blizzard bags are educational materials allocated to students to complete at home on snow days. Each bag counts as one day of attendance, meaning schools do not need to tack on an… [Read More]