MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FUNDING TO SUPPORT STUDENTS, REACHING $100 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS FOR BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FUNDING TO SUPPORT STUDENTS, REACHING  $100 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS FOR BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 7, 2020 - Building on his historic commitment to investing in our students and schools, during his 2020 State of the City address this evening, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced a $100 million investment in new direct funding to support students at the Boston Public Schools. This funding will be phased in over the next three years to reach an annual investment of $100 million for direct classroom funding that is over and above cost increases. This level of planned new investment has never been seen before in Boston's history, and will reach every public school in Boston. "We believe in a Boston where every single student has access to high quality schools to reach their full potential, and this $100 million investment will make that vision a reality," said Mayor Walsh. "This new investment will be carefully targeted to evidence-based strategies so that every dollar makes a difference. We'll begin with intense support for underperforming schools because kids who start with less need more and deserve more. By lifting up our schools, we'll become one strong district and one stronger city." The $100 million investment over the next three years will focus on student wellness and mental health supports, curriculum enrichment, and programming and activities, and 100% of the funding will go directly to students or services provided by schools. The investment will be made on top of standard costs increases, such as inflation and employee costs.  "This is a great day for the children of Boston Public Schools," said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius. "This historic, new funding will allow us to provide direct support to every single student, starting with those who need it the most. I am incredibly grateful to Mayor Walsh for his continued commitment to our children and families." "Since 2014, Mayor Walsh and the Boston School Committee have committed to working with parents, teachers, students and community members for increased public education funding at all levels to address the critical needs in our schools," said Michael Loconto, Chairperson of the Boston School Committee.  "Mayor Walsh's continuing and deep investments in our schools reflects a fulfillment of this ongoing commitment. The Committee looks forward to receiving Superintendent Cassellius's recommendation on a Fiscal Year 2021 budget next month, which will put our strategic vision and these critical investments into action." "This historic investment is great news for public school students, parents and educators across the City. We applaud the administration for stepping up and allocating such a significant increase in funding to help create the schools our students deserve," said Jessica Tang, President, Boston Teachers Union. "While the recent increases in funding for public education at the state level were welcome news, that funding won't make a meaningful impact in Boston for many years, so this investment comes at a critical time to help fill the gaps." This new investment directly supports Superintendent Cassellius' draft strategic vision recently presented to the Boston School Committee, outlining the key priority areas where BPS will focus its efforts through the next school year to improve student experiences and outcomes, close opportunity gaps and increase instructional quality and rigor. The strategic vision was formed following her four-month long community tour across Boston, where she visited all 125 schools, hosted 98 community meetings, and engaged with more than 2,100 people. It focuses on five key priorities, including: elevating equity to address disparities, accelerating learning through a well-rounded education, expanding opportunity through targeted resources, cultivating trust to help all students reach their full potential and amplifying all voices to ensure strong student and school outcomes. The final version of the strategic vision will be presented to the School Committee on January 15.  "This investment speaks directly to the leadership of Dr. Cassellius. She listened to stakeholders, assessed the state of our schools, and identified high leverage focus areas to help accelerate the closure of achievement and opportunity gaps, and while there are still many issues we need to address in our schools, if allocated to align with Dr. Cassellius' strategic vision, this additional investment will help support our students who need it most," said Tanisha M. Sullivan, President, NAACP Boston Branch. "I am very excited for what this new funding will mean for students and the positive impact this will make in our schools moving forward," said Evelyn Reyes, a senior at the John D. O'Bryant School of Math and Science, and student representative on the Boston School Committee. "This is the kind of investment that is needed to take education at the Boston Public Schools to the next level. I can't wait to see this funding come to life in our schools and for students to fully reap the benefits." "This is really fantastic and will give BPS both at the higher level and at the school level more access to funds to increase support," said Carlos-Luis Brown, parent of two children at the Curtis Guild Elementary School, and also co-chair for the parent council at the Guild. "Any kind of funding that can go to schools, not just students in the classroom, but all the support structures in the schools, that's outstanding. I applaud the Mayor for making this investment." There is no better reflection of Mayor Walsh's commitment to equal opportunity than the City's continued strong investment in public education. Over the past six years Boston has grown annual public education spending at the Boston Public Schools (BPS), charter schools and Universal Pre-Kindergarten by over $360 million. This unprecedented level of investment makes up 40% of all new city funds that have been added to the annual budget.  Boston's most recent BPS budget includes $1.177 billion to support high-quality education for all BPS students. This overall level of investment of $1.177 million is not only at historic levels, but represents a 37 percent increase in per-student funding since FY14, up to over $22,000 per student. Included in this year's current budget is a $15 million investment in a quality pre-Kindergarten fund, which will guarantee access to free, high-quality pre-K for all 4-year olds living in Boston within five years. Other signature investments include free MBTA passes to all Boston students in grades 7-12; full-time nurses in every school, additional mental health counselors, and tuition-free community college available to BPS graduates. Building on the continued investments in BPS, the Fiscal Year 2021 budget for Boston Public Schools will be formally presented to the Boston School Committee on February 5th.  Following years of advocacy and hard work from led by a coalition of mayors, city leaders, parents, teachers, and advocates, the Massachusetts Legislature recently passed a landmark education finance reform law that was signed into law by the Governor. The law will directly benefit Boston's students with $100 million in additional funding per year once in full effect in the next seven years. Today's announcement bolsters this new state funding by putting this direct investment into our school systems effective in the new fiscal year in June.

MAYOR WALSH HIGHLIGHTS RESIDENTS' STORIES AS HE SHARES VISION FOR BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH HIGHLIGHTS RESIDENTS' STORIES AS HE SHARES VISION FOR BOSTON

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 7, 2020 - During his State of the City speech, Mayor Martin J. Walsh tonight welcomed four Bostonians to the stage to share their stories and begin his annual address to the people of Boston.  "The State of the City is not about me: it's about all of us - the people of our City," said Mayor Walsh. "I believe in Boston because this city made my immigrant family's dream come true. I'm so proud to serve as your mayor, and help lift up all voices in Boston. My vision, my passion, and what I work for every day, is for Boston to be that city of dreams for every child, every student, every worker, every senior and every single person who calls our city home." Below are the remarks given tonight by Yohan Almonte, Lamarana Bah, Smiler Haynes and Angel Castillo Pineda, four residents of Boston. This is the first State of the City speech where residents have taken the stage to share their stories of Boston, and introduce the Mayor of Boston.  "My name is Yohan Almonte, and I'm from Mattapan. As you can tell, I'm not Mayor Walsh. But we both know the power of second chances. After my mom passed away, I was homeless, and ended up behind bars. But the Mayor created a program called Operation Exit that changed my life. Now I'm a member of the Laborers Union, earning good pay and the respect of my community. Mayor Walsh believed in me and I believe in Boston." Operation Exit is a restorative justice program aimed at allowing Boston's population most vulnerable to gun violence and returning incarcerated citizens, greater opportunities to reenter and give back to their community. "My name is Lamarana Bah. I immigrated 15 years ago from Sierra Leone. My wife and I work hard, but we didn't think we could afford a home to raise our three sons and take care of my in-laws. Mayor Walsh's Neighborhood Homes Initiative helped us and hundreds of other families. We got help with our down payment and mortgage, and now we own our home in Dorchester. I want everyone to know about these opportunities. Our dream came true and that's why we believe in Boston." The Neighborhood Homes Initiative uses City-owned land to create affordable homeownership opportunities for Boston homebuyers. Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, Boston has set an overall housing goal of 69,000 new units by 2030, to meet Boston's expected population growth. These 69,000 new units include 15,820 new income-restricted units, which would elevate Boston's income-restricted inventory total to 70,000, or one in five of all housing units. In addition, the plan set a goal to preserve 85 percent of Boston's most at-risk privately-owned affordable units, and to purchase 1,000 units of rental housing stock from the speculative market and income-restrict them for perpetuity. To date the City has hit a milestone of over 32,000 new units of housing permitted. "Hello, I'm Smiler Haynes, and at 86, I'm aging strong. I love all the senior programs at the Grove Hall Community Center. I tell all my friends that the Mayor's Age Strong office is a great resource for all kinds of things: free shuttle rides, home repairs, volunteer opportunities, fitness classes-my favorite is tai chi! The City believes in our seniors, and we believe in Boston." In 2019, Boston rebranded its aging commission into Age Strong Commission, and in September launched its first-ever public awareness campaign, aimed at revealing implicit biases around aging and dispelling stereotypes about older adults to promote more positive messaging around aging. "My name is Angel Castillo Pineda. Four years ago, I immigrated to Boston from Guatemala. I enrolled at East Boston High School, where I felt accepted and inspired to follow my dreams. I joined the Mayor's High School to Teacher program. I'm planning to go to college, then come back and teach ESL to students like me in the Boston Public Schools. I believe in Boston because Boston embraced me." Boston Public Schools' workforce to pipeline development program is the Boston Public Schools (BPS) High School to Teacher Program. This program develops strategic partnerships to identify, cultivate, and support high school students. These high school students reflect the cultural, linguistic, and racial diversity of BPS, and with the support of the program successfully navigate high school, graduate from college and return to BPS as passionate, qualified teachers. For more information on State of the City, visit boston.gov.

Governor Baker Nominates Carol Calliotte, Sabina Herlihy, John Preston and Michael Williams for Reappointment as Administrative Judges on the Industrial Accident Board

Governor Baker Nominates Carol Calliotte, Sabina Herlihy, John Preston and Michael Williams for Reappointment as Administrative Judges on the Industrial Accident Board

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Sabina Herlihy, John Preston and Michael Williams for reappointment to the position of Administrative Judge, and Carol Calliotte for reappointment to the position of Administrative Law Judge, on the Industrial Accident Board at the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). Judge Preston has served as an Administrative Judge since his appointment in 2002, while Judges Calliotte, Herlihy and Williams have all served since 2013.

“With decades of experience representing both public and private businesses and employees across the Commonwealth, Judges Calliotte, Herlihy, Preston and Williams have each shown a commitment to protecting individuals and families affected by work-related injuries,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Pending approval by the Governor’s Council, they will continue to be effective in their respective roles for the Department of Industrial Accidents.”

“Today’s nominees for reappointment all have proven track records of serving injured workers and employers in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, I am confident that they will continue to serve the workers of the Commonwealth.”

The Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) oversees the Massachusetts workers’ compensation system, serving injured workers, employers, attorneys, and insurers. The Industrial Accident Board consists of 21 administrative judges who preside over disputed workers’ compensation cases, and 5 administrative law judges on the Reviewing Board who decide cases on appeal. For more information about the Division of Industrial Accidents, please visit their homepage.

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for administrative judgeships are reviewed by the Industrial Accident Board Nominating Panel and recommended to the governor. Governor Mitt Romney established the Industrial Accident Board Nominating Panel in December, 2003 pursuant to Executive Order 456, to screen administrative judicial applications. The Panel is composed of thirteen members, including the governor’s Chief Legal Counsel, the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, the Commissioner of the DIA, the Senior Judge of the DIA and eight appointees of the governor representing labor, business and health care providers.

About Judge Calliotte

Since 2013, Carol Calliotte has served as an Administrative Law Judge on the Reviewing Board at the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). Prior to her appointment as an Administrative Judge, Judge Calliotte spent more than 20 years at DIA, first as Assistant General Counsel before serving as General Counsel. Before joining DIA, she worked on a variety of labor and employment issues for two firms in Boston, Sandulli and Grace and Betty A. Gittes and Associates. Prior to that, Judge Calliotte began her legal career litigating cases on behalf of state, federal and municipal employees and labor unions as Staff Counsel for the National Association of Government Employees. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law, a Master’s of Arts in English from Boston University and her Bachelor’s Degree from Hendrix College. Judge Calliotte currently resides in Arlington.

About Judge Herlihy

Since 2013, Sabina Herlihy has served as an Administrative Judge at the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA), where she began her career as a Law Clerk from 1986 to 1988. Prior to her appointment as an Administrative Judge, Judge Herlihy spent 10 years as the principal of Sabina T. Herlihy & Associates in Walpole, where she argued cases pertaining to labor and employment before state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies including the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the DIA. Before opening her own private practice, Judge Herlihy worked on labor and employment issues as an attorney for 4 local firms, including 10 years with Williamson & Melendez in Boston. Judge Herlihy has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Suffolk University, and spent 2 years teaching Spanish at Westwood High School. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and her Bachelor’s Degree from Regis College. Judge Herlihy currently resides in Walpole.  

About Judge Preston

Since 2002, John Preston has served as an Administrative Judge at the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). Prior to his appointment as an Administrative Judge, Judge Preston spent more than 30 years in private practice, primarily as a trial attorney focused on workers’ compensation. This included more than 14 years litigating cases before the DIA on behalf of insurers and employers, first with the Law Offices of F.J. McDonald in Malden, and then with Milton, Laurence & Dixon in Worcester. Before that, Judge Preston spent 5 years as a partner at Ellis, Minor, Arakelian & Preston in Worcester, 3 years operating the Law Offices of John G. Preston in Concord and more than 10 years as Senior Trial Attorney for Sentry Insurance in Concord. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Mexico. From 1976 to 1985, Judge Preston also served as a member and Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for Westford, where he still resides.

About Judge Williams

Since 2013, Michael Williams has served as an Administrative Judge at the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). Prior to his appointment as an Administrative Judge, Judge Williams spent more than 4 years as the Director of Labor Relations for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, where his responsibilities included the interpretation and implementation of collective bargaining agreements, along with agency policies and procedures. Before that, he spent more than 10 years as National Office Police Liaison and a Staff Attorney for the National Association of Government Employees, where he was responsible for all labor issues concerning police and correctional officers. Judge Williams earned his Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School and his Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College. He currently resides in Brockton.