SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2868

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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SENATE, December 29, 2025.

The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 377) of Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to the board of elementary and secondary education; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 443) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to modernize the board of elementary and secondary education, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2868).

For the committee,

Jason M. Lewis

        FILED ON: 12/1/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2868

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

An Act relative to the board of elementary and secondary education.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 1E of chapter 15 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the third sentence.

SECTION 2. The Chief Secretary of Boards and Commissions, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall study the current composition of the board of elementary and secondary education and shall consider best practices for constituting an effective board of elementary and secondary education, and make recommendations for how the composition may be changed. The study shall include, but not be limited to, consideration of (i) geographic representation of board members, (ii) representation of different roles, skill sets, and experiences amongst board members, (iii) whether certain seats on the board shall be reserved for certain roles such as current or former educators, school administrators, or school committee members. The Chief Secretary of Boards and Commissions shall submit a written report of their findings and recommendations to the Clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the Senate Chair and House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education no later than December 31, 2026.