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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu vetoed a bill that would overhaul the city's school committee Friday.
The Boston City Council earlier this week passed the measure in a narrow 7-5-1 vote, which would transform the current all-appointed school committee into a 13-member all-elected body made of district and at-large representatives. The home-rule petition was struck down by Wu, who has been outspoken in her opposition to the idea.
"I deeply respect that the proponents of this proposal are motivated by a commitment to supporting Boston’s young people — a commitment I share with urgency," Wu wrote in a letter to the City Council Friday. "Respectfully, I cannot support legislative changes that would compromise our ability to stabilize and support the Boston Public Schools during this critical period."
"I believe that a dramatic overhaul of our selection process for the Boston School Committee would detract from the essential work ahead," Wu continued.
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"Every Councilor, including those who voted present or against this HRP, are unanimous in the belief that the current appointed School Committee model needed to be changed so a veto is disappointing," City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo told WBZ NewsRadio. "I know all of us, the Mayor included, are united in making our public schools the best in the country and I do believe a governing change to the School Committee would help us get closer to that goal while empowering our school families and stakeholders."
In a non-binding 2021 ballot question, 80% of Boston voters voted in favor of an elected school committee.
Another school committee bill, which would give that body two student seats that have voting power and was passed the city council by an 11-2 vote, will receive Wu's signature.
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