MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Quoc Tran appointed; Jeri Robinson reappointed

BOSTON - Monday, December 31, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Quoc Tran and reappointment of Jeri Robinson to the Boston School Committee, the governing body of the Boston Public Schools (BPS). Tran is currently the secretariat deputy director of the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Robinson has been a member of the Boston School Committee since 2014, and recently retired from her role as vice president of Early Childhood Initiatives at the Boston Children's Museum. The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at the Bolling Building. "Quoc Tran is a great addition to the Boston School Committee. His experience as a civil rights attorney and a community leader will add a unique and crucial perspective to the group," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm also proud to reappoint Jeri Robinson to the Committee, who for the last four years worked and advocated tirelessly to create opportunities for our students. I thank all members of the School Committee who have served in this important role, and look forward to reviewing applications for the remaining vacancy, and encourage those who are interested in serving on the Committee to apply by the January 7, 2019 deadline." Dr. Miren Uriarte stepped down from the Boston School Committee In December 2018, ending almost four years of service on the Committee. The Citizens Nominating Panel is currently accepting applications from candidates interested in filling the remainder of her term, which expires on December 31, 2019. The Panel is expected to submit a list of nominees to the Mayor by January 16. The seven-member Boston School Committee is responsible for defining the vision, mission and goals of the Boston Public Schools; establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget; hiring, managing and evaluating the Superintendent; and setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement. "We are pleased to welcome Quoc Tran to the Boston School Committee, and look forward to working with him on the important issues facing our students, educators and schools in 2019 and beyond," said Michael Loconto, Chair of the Boston School Committee. "These appointments come at crucial time as we continue moving forward on key issues that will enhance learning opportunities for students, including the continued roll out of BuildBPS facilities upgrades and the hiring of a new permanent superintendent. On behalf of the School Committee, we thank all members for their service and are excited to continue this work together."   In his current role at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Tran develops and implements diversity and inclusion strategies for over 22,000 employees, and creates diversity and affirmative action plans to retain a diverse workforce. Prior to this role, he was the executive director of the Vietnamese American Civic Association (VACA), where he managed all operations of the organization related to serving the social and public assistance needs of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants. Tran was a BPS high school teacher for six years and is parent of Boston Latin School students. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a master's degree in education from Northeastern University, and a doctoral degree in law from Suffolk University. He currently resides in Dorchester. "I am very honored to have received Mayor Walsh's trust and confidence in appointing me to this very important Boston School Committee," said Quoc Tran. "I look forward to working alongside all other Committee members in ensuring the highest quality possible that our city's school system deserves."   Jeri Robinson, first appointed by Mayor Walsh in 2014, brings more than 40 years of experience in teaching and consulting in the fields of early childhood and museum education. She recently retired from her role at the Boston Children's Museum, where she developed programs and outreach to further the Museum's early childhood agenda, seeking new sources of funding for educational initiatives and developing current resources. She holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree in education, and an honorary doctorate in education from Wheelock College, and serves on numerous boards dealing with family, community, multicultural, and early childhood education issues. She lives in Dorchester. The seven members of the School Committee are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor of Boston to serve four-year staggered terms. Mayor Walsh made these appointments based on a list of candidates recommended by a 13-member Citizens Nominating Panel composed of parents, teachers, principals, and representatives of business and higher education. Under the legislation that established the appointed School Committee, "the Mayor shall strive to appoint individuals who reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the city." For more information on the School Committee, please visit here.