Letters to the Commissioner

On October 10, 2018, MA Commissioner of Education Jeff Riley will be attending the Mass Association of Regional Schools (MARS) meeting. Commissioner Riley is relatively new (appointed April 2018) and has been attending a number of meetings around the state during this first year. Members who serve on Regional School Committees, MARS is asking that you attend the meeting. For everyone else, we are asking that you write a letter to the Commissioner and send it along with your local School Committee members!

1. Write the Commissioner a letter. Tell your personal story and ask for his help. Talk about what you’ve seen in your schools or in your communities, whether it involves resources, curriculum, social-emotional learning and mental health, or anything else that the Dept of Elementary and Secondary Ed affects (You can find more info here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/commissioner/default.html). Use real examples where you can!
2. Contact your local School Committee members and see if they’re attending this session. If they are, ask them to deliver your letter to the Commissioner. If they’re not, email it to nerissa.wallen@supportmaregionalschools.org and we will get your letter delivered to Commissioner Riley.

Note: Though they don’t deal directly with financing, DESE does have control over many related items that affect regional schools. A lot of these can result in unfunded mandates, like the short schedule to have MCAS administered online that has forced many districts into swift technology purchases, the seemingly constant updates in standards that result in new curricula and additional professional development, and the mountain of paperwork and reporting required of districts.

Please aim to have your letters done by 10/1. Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!