Councilor Kendra Lara

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An elected school committee, one that is accountable to the people it represents, will better address the needs of schools, teachers, students, and families. It’s the fundamental change we need to ensure our school district is equitable

equitable
It means everyone has what they need. Giving everyone a size nine pair of sneakers is equality. Giving everyone the kind of shoes in the right size, shoes that work for the weather where they live, or even ones that fit their cultural style is equity. and thriving. I will work with Councilor Edwards to expand the scope of current city charter

The Boston City Charter
a series of State statutes that codifies a system of rules for the government of the City of Boston, Massachusetts. The Charter is not a typical city constitution but rather a series of amendments, General Court rulings, and case law that form the basis of government. reform initiatives. If required, I will spearhead the home rule petition

home rule petition
a request from a city for a new type of power from the state legislature—for example, the ability to enact a new tax or regulation or an exemption from an aspect of state law. application to the state legislature. Until then, our student representative must be given equal status on the committee, including a vote and stipend.

Our disparate student outcomes are directly related to the investments we make in our schools, but if we plan with intention, we can fully fund our schools with substantial, well-rounded resources. In addition to an equity-based allocation of funding, we should guarantee a baseline quality of education for every school, classroom, and child. I will advocate for a baseline budget to ensure every school has the resources necessary to implement full inclusion, incorporate ethnic studies, and hire librarians, counselors, and full-time nurses.

By signing the Trust Act in 2014, Boston made a commitment to immigrant communities. The Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC) ‘s ongoing utilization and the coordination between Boston Public Schools, the Boston Police Department, ICE, and deputized School Resource Officers are an offense to that commitment and further the disturbing trend of funneling students out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. I support the elimination of BRIC and the severing of ties between BPS, BPD, and ICE, including the removal of School Resource Officers from all Boston Public Schools.

For years Boston Public Schools and the families they serve have been at odds over the budget’s realities and how they impact our students and teachers. To make the funding and process more transparent, I propose creating a Budget Dashboard that provides easily understandable information from central office expenses and from every school in the district, including reported budget shortfalls and position eliminations by each school’s School Site Council.

School Site Council
School-based decision-making is the responsibility of the School Site Council. For example, School Site Councils may hire teachers, approve school rules, and decide if students will wear uniforms.

We have neglected our school buildings for generations. The critically needed repairs, long left unaddressed, have made it unsafe for many schools to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we move to implement recommendations from the BuildBPS report, we must ensure we’re doing so equitably. I will advocate for a robust investment in our public education infrastructure.

As we rebuild our economy after the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our high schools are positioned to create new pathways for our young people. With its wealth and diversity of industries, Boston can be a regional leader in vocational and technical programs. Our high schools can be a hub of not just vo-tech training but innovation and exploration. Working in partnership with the city’s Building Pathways Program

Building Pathways Program
Building Pathways provides a gateway for low-income area residents, particularly in underserved communities, to access family-sustaining careers in the construction industry through apprenticeship preparedness training and advocacy. and the Boston Public Schools, I will advocate expanding vo-tech instruction to all our high schools.

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