Delegate Assembly and Resolutions Overview

MASC Learning Lunch 2023 Delegate Assembly And Resolutions for Consideration

Delegate Assembly Hyannis, MA on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Over 130 Delegates from Member Districts Expected to Attend Think of the Delegate Assembly as a 130-member school committee meeting.

How Resolutions Are Brought Forth Resolutions are submitted to the MASC Resolutions Committee prior to June 1. Resolutions Committee meets and moves resolutions forward to the MASC Board of Directors. Resolutions endorsed by five school committees representing at least two different MASC Divisions automatically go to the Delegate Assembly. Board of Directors delegates Association Secretary-Treasurer to share all approved resolutions to the full MASC membership.

Business of the Delegate Assembly Certify the election of new officers for the next year. Vote on new Life Members of the Association. Receipt of the Annual Audited Financial Report Deliberation on resolutions.

Procedural Rules Resolutions may be amended if a written amendment is presented at the meeting. Forms are available in Delegate Manual and on site. Sponsor(s) of the resolutions may speak first. Only delegates may speak unless if they are recognized by the chair. The chair may recognize others as may be needed. Tellers are designated to count votes if necessary.

Parliamentary Rules (Robert s Rules of Order) Amendments presented in writing are considered from the floor. Certain amendments may be approved immediately if there is no objection (i.e., spelling, grammar, etc.). Frequently, resolutions with multiple parts are divided into individual parts for discussion and vote. (See Resolutions 4,5, 6, 7 and 8.) Voting is by voice vote, or, if in dispute, by a show of hands counted by the tellers. Other rules of order apply (i.e., table, postpone, previous question, inquiry, recess, adjourn.)

In Order to Expedite Business The chair will ask delegates to affirm that they wish to hold to question or debate certain resolutions. Non-controversial resolutions without holds may be grouped together and approved.

RESOLUTIONS Resolutions often have lengthy explanations ( Whereas, etc.) prior to the action steps ( Therefore be it resolved ) Full resolutions are reprinted in the Delegate Manual. Extra manuals are available at the Delegate Secretary s Desk. Only the action steps appear before the delegates (and in this presentation).

Resolution 1 Full Funding of the METCO Program Submitted by the Arlington School Committee THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees calls upon the Governor and the Legislature to create a stable funding structure to support METCO and its partner districts that fully funds the support provided by METCO, and the cost of providing services delivered by METCO s partner districts.

Resolution 2 Investigating of Transportation Bidding Practices Submitted by the Southeastern Vocational Technical School Committee NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the MA Association of School Committees prevail upon the Office of the Attorney General and the state Inspector General, to investigate the bidding practices of school transportation providers, and to present such findings and recommendations as may be necessary to contain costs and make more efficient transportation services for public schools.

Resolution 3 Part 1 Regional Transportation Submitted by the Hampden-Wilbraham School Committee THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT: In such case where a pupil resides greater than one and one-half mile from the school of attendance, measured by a commonly traveled route, and the commonwealth reimbursement does not fully cover the amounts expended for such transportation, the regional school district may allow pupils to opt out of such transportation.

Resolution 3 Part 2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: the MASC encourage the Legislature to modify M.G.L. Title XII c. 71, 16C, and that the Commonwealth reimburse the regional school district transportation expense for any pupil that resides greater than one and one-half mile from the school of attendance measured by a commonly traveled route. Pupils may opt out of transportation and not be subject to a transportation fee.

Resolution 4 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Positions Proposed by Division X (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that MASC recommends that all districts adopt the position of DEI coordinator to work towards an anti-racist school system.

Resolution 5 Relative to Changes to the MA School Building Authority to increase Grants and Restore the Accelerated Repair Cap Submitted by the Wachusett Regional School Committee THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees calls upon the Massachusetts Legislature to amend MGL 70B section 7 by removing the $800,000,000 cap; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees calls upon the Massachusetts School Building Authority to reinstate the Accelerated Repair program for 2024 applications; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees calls upon the Massachusetts Legislature to allow public preschools to be included in the Accelerated Repair Program and Core Program.

Resolution 6 Cameras for Bus Transportation Safety Submitted by the Peabody School Committee THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees calls on the Massachusetts Legislature to enact legislation to pass into law the ability for cities and towns to install on all school buses live digital video detection monitoring systems for the purpose of enforcing violations against the owner of a motor vehicle whose vehicle failed to stop for a school bus when required to do so by law. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees calls on the Massachusetts Legislature to enact legislation raising the fine for passing a stopped school bus to a significant schedule of fines as penalty whether witnessed by a police officer or recorded by a digital video detection monitoring system.

Resolution 7 MCAS Submitted by the Framingham School Committee THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that MASC urges Massachusetts to develop a wider, more consensus-built strategy for an evaluation system with meaningful input from legitimate stakeholders. that MASC urges the state Legislature to launch a comprehensive evaluation to investigate the extent of biases pertaining to MCAS testing and make these results public. that MASC urges Massachusetts to enact a moratorium on MCAS testing effective immediately. that MASC urges Massachusetts to develop an alternative to the high-stakes MCAS tests.

Resolution 8 Safe Storage of Firearms Submitted by the Framingham School Committee THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that MASC recommends all districts to urge their Superintendent and staff to create an appropriate communication to parents and guardians that explains the importance of secure firearm storage to protect children and teens from unauthorized access to unsecured firearms, and their legal obligations consistent with Massachusetts safe storage law. Further, that MASC urges other communities to work with their local law enforcement agencies, health agencies and non-profit organizations to collaborate and increase efforts to inform District parents and guardians of their obligations regarding secure storage of firearms in their homes and vehicles.