Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $744,000 For Conservation Partnership Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $744,000 For Conservation Partnership Grants

Funding Will Protect 330 Acres of Commonwealth’s Natural Resources

BOSTON – December 8, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $744,545 in funding for local land conservation projects across the Commonwealth. The grants are being provided to ten land trusts by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Conservation Partnership Grant Program and will protect over 330 acres of land from Cape Cod to the Quabbin Reservoir.

“Local conservation areas are important investments that provide citizens of the Commonwealth access to open spaces and the opportunity to enjoy nature,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Conservation Partnership Grants are instrumental in helping protect Massachusetts’ unique natural habitats for our residents and visitors alike.”

“By establishing close partnerships with local land trusts, our administration is committed to protecting Massachusetts’ ecological resources for future generations,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The Conservation Partnership Grant Program allows the Commonwealth to provide our local partners the resources they need to protect our state’s the most important working lands and wildlife habitat.”

The Conservation Partnership Program assists non-public, not-for-profit corporations in acquiring interests in lands suitable for conservation or recreation purposes. Potential projects fall into one of two categories: Land or a conservation restriction (CR) purchased by an eligible applicant or due diligence for land or a conservation restriction gift donated to an eligible applicant.

“From the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s nearly 500,000 acres of parks and forests to small family farms, the Commonwealth’s open spaces have large impact on the lives of all residents,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration continues its commitment to investing in open spaces in which residents can recreate and enjoy all that Massachusetts has to offer.”

The following ten projects will receive the Conservation Partnership grants: 

Grantee	Project Name	Project Description	Grant Award
Andover Village Improvement Society	Franciscan Acquisition	The project will acquire 26.60 acres of land that is part of the Bay Circuit Trail, upstream of the water intakes for Andover, Lawrence, and Methuen, and within NHESP BioMap2 core habitat.	$85,000
Brewster Conservation Trust	Gulls Way Forest	The project will purchase an 11.11 acre property supporting two buildable residential lots and will protect a native Cape Cod forest.	$75,000
Buzzards Bay Coalition	Shaw Cove Fields and Marshes Conservation Project	The project will acquire 62 acres on Nasketucket Bay adjacent to a large contiguous area of existing protected open space and will protect the bay's resources, as well as working farmland.	$85,000
Dennis Conservation Trust	Swan River Overlook	The project will protect 3.5 acres that are a combination of upland, brackish marsh, and salt marsh and will help protect the water quality in Swan River, a Critical Natural Landscape.	$75,000
East Quabbin Land Trust	Carlson Road Realty Trust CR Acquisition	The project will acquire a CR on 53 acres that abuts the Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Area and helps to add to a corridor of protected land between the WMA and the Quabbin Reservoir.	$85,000
Greater Worcester Land Trust	Malden Brook Woods	The project will protect 13.66 acres of land that is one of the last unprotected portions of Malden Brook Farm, which remains the last working farm in Holden.	$80,350
Kestrel Land Trust	Pelham Emerald Necklace Project	The project will connect to existing protected open space and ensure the continuity of core habitat available to wildlife, securing public access from Arnold Road and enabling the expansion of existing trails for passive recreation.	$85,000
Massachusetts Audubon Society	Butterworth - Rutland Brook WS	The project will acquire 84 acres in fee to add to the existing Rutland Brook Wildlife Sanctuary and help to protect water quality in the Quabbin Reservoir.	$85,000
Opacum Land Trust	Thomas Forested Parcel	The project will protect a 76 acre parcel of woodland that is adjacent to Brimfield State Forest and will provide an additional entry point to the forest.	$85,000
Rutland Land Conservancy	Cannon-Putname Nature Preserve	The project will help pay for the due diligence on a gift of land that has frontage on two roads and contains hardwoods and a wetland.	$4,195

“Investing in conservation projects is crucial to protecting our resources on the Cape,” said Cape and Islands Senator Dan Wolf (D-Harwich).  “Thank you to everyone in the office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for advancing this funding to protect our open space, wildlife, and water quality.” 

“I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration, as well as Secretary Beating, for their ongoing commitment to preserving our fragile environment on Cape Cod,” said State Representative Timothy R. Whelan (R-Brewster). “Both the Dennis and Brewster Conservation Trusts will be bolstered in their efforts to preserve Cape Codes natural beauty by this significant commitment, for which I am extremely grateful.”

“The first land trust was founded over 100 years ago right here in New England, and the many others since, throughout the region, have played an indispensable role in protecting open spaces of all kinds,” said Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture.  “These groups are a major part of that mission and I am thrilled that they have received support from the state to continue the great conservationist work that they do.”

“Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for awarding these funds and recognizing the importance of preserving our open spaces,” said State Representative Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden). “I am thrilled that the Rutland Land Conservancy was chosen as a recipient. Congratulations to all of the communities who received grants, as they will be providing increased opportunities for outdoor recreation and resource protection which benefit the citizens of the Commonwealth and generations to come.”

“Congratulations to the Greater Worcester Land Trust on receiving a Conservation Partnership Grant from the Baker-Polito Administration for the protection of the last working farm in Holden, Malden Brook Farm,” said State Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “I commend the partnerships that have been made through the grant program and look forward to the implementation of the grants.”

BCNC Receives funding from ArtPlace America’s 2016 National Creative Placemaking Fund

BCNC Receives funding from ArtPlace America’s

2016 National Creative Placemaking Fund

29 projects were chosen to receive $11 million in funding

BOSTON, December 8, 2016 –ArtPlace America announced that Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) is one of 29 projects chosen, from almost 1400 applications, to receive funding through its National Creative Placemaking Fund in 2016.  

ArtPlace America’s National Creative Placemaking Fund is a highly competitive national program – funding 2% of initial applications – that invests money in communities across the country in which artists, arts organizations, and arts and culture activity will help drive community development change in the sectors of agriculture and food; economic development; education and youth; environment and energy; health, housing; immigration; public safety; transportation; or workforce development.

“Creative Placemaking seeks the full and robust integration of arts, culture, and community-engaged design into the decisions that define the ebb and flow of community life. These grant recipients embody what this looks like at its most effective best,” said Rip Rapson, president and CEO of The Kresge Foundation and Chair of the ArtPlace President’s Council. “The sheer volume of applications for these grants suggests the growing updraft of creative placemaking efforts throughout the nation.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to be adding this dynamic set of projects to our portfolio this year,” says F. Javier Torres, Director of National Grantmaking. “The thoughtful and innovative strategies in this year’s projects are truly indicative of the vital role that artists and arts and culture organizations play in strengthening local policy, and the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities.”

The complete list of the 2016 projects for ArtPlace’s National Creative Placemaking Fund may be found here.

BCNC will receive a total grant of $450,000 over the next three years for “One Chinatown” – a community-based center for arts developed in partnership with Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) –  the state’s largest and most affordable community college – slated to open in January 2017.

“I am humbled to be a part of this project, because I believe it is important for this moment in history,” said Giles Li, Executive Director of BCNC. “One Chinatown represents coming together during hard times. Two disparate communities who both live in Chinatown belong here. Two different types of institutions can show the world a new kind of relationship is possible between a neighborhood and a college. We are building a space for all people – poor and rich, young and old, immigrant and native-Bostonian – that supports a vision for a united Chinatown, city, and world.”

“BHCC is proud to partner with BCNC in the creation of One Chinatown,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “This initiative perfectly aligns with our goal of providing culturally-inclusive education to all students.”

One Chinatown leverages the assets of both BCNC and BHCC, as well as other community partners, to build connections between the low-income immigrant community typical of Chinatown and the growing population of urbanites, who have moved to the neighborhood in recent years. One Chinatown will engage residents of Chinatown in a public conversation about challenges and pathways to good community health and emotional well-being in an age of rapid gentrification.

Located on Parcel 24, a piece of land that was returned to the Chinatown community 50 years after it was suddenly taken away, the 5,000 square-foot One Chinatown will feature a studio theater, gallery, classrooms, and community space.

About ArtPlace America

ArtPlace America (ArtPlace) is a ten-year collaboration among 16 partner foundations, along with 8 federal agencies and 6 financial institutions, that works to position arts and culture as a core sector of comprehensive community planning and development in order to help strengthen the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities. 

ArtPlace focuses its work on creative placemaking, projects in which art plays an intentional and integrated role in place-based community planning and development. This brings artists, arts organizations, and artistic activity into the suite of placemaking strategies pioneered by Jane Jacobs and her colleagues, who believed that community development must be locally informed, human-centric, and holistic.

About Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center

Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) is the largest nonprofit social service provider dedicated to Asian families in the Greater Boston area, supporting over 2,000 children, youth, and adults each year at three locations in Boston and Quincy. 

The mission of BCNC is to ensure that the children, youth, and families we serve have the resources and supports they need to achieve greater economic success and social well-being. BCNC helps families access the resources and services available to them, provide opportunities for them to learn and acquire skills, and create a community of mutual support and encouragement.  For more information, go to www.bcnc.net.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces 10th Annual Leading by Example Awards

Baker-Polito Administration Announces 10th Annual

Leading by Example Awards

Recognizes Energy and Environmental Achievement in State and Local Government

BOSTON – December 8, 2016 –The Baker-Polito Administration today recognized eight Massachusetts state agencies, public colleges, municipalities, and public sector individuals for their leadership in promoting clean energy and environmental initiatives with the 10thannual Leading by Example Awards. Awardees were honored for policies and programs that have resulted in significant energy and emissions reductions, renewable energy installations, water conservation, and the implementation of sustainability initiatives that reduce the environmental impacts of state and municipal operations. The Leading by Example (LBE) program is a division of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and coordinates clean energy and environmental opportunities at facilities owned and operated by the Commonwealth. 

“As Massachusetts works to reduce energy costs, usage, and emissions, our state, municipal, and public partners continue to set an impressive example for others to follow,”said Governor Charlie Baker. “The foresight to embrace energy and environmental innovations throughout the Commonwealth’s cities, towns, universities, and other locations saves taxpayers and ratepayers millions.”

“Massachusetts’ colleges, universities, and municipalities are on the frontlines of energy and environmental innovation,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration is committed to ensuring that the Commonwealth continues to be an example for the positive benefits of adopting clean energy and environmental practices.”

Leading by Example efforts across state government are directly resulting in energy and environmental efficiencies and savings. The Commonwealth has increased the amount of installed solar PV at state facilities from less than 100kW in 2007 to over 14MW in 2016, reduced greenhouse gas emissions 26% since 2004, reduced the use of fuel oil at state facilities by 18 million gallons or 78% since 2006, and has constructed 57 LEED certified buildings since 2006, with 35 at the two highest levels of Gold and Platinum. 

“The Leading by Example program gives our partners across state government the tools they need to contribute to our shared goals of reducing energy costs and meeting our Global Warming Solutions Act goals,”  Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to building up the impressive progress we’ve made as a Commonwealth towards building a cleaner, more cost-effective, and resilient energy future.”

“Today’s award winners are at the forefront of innovative energy program and project development that are resulting in reduced costs and emissions,” Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “State and municipal entities continue to be invaluable partners with the Commonwealth as we work to meet our clean energy objectives.”

LBE Awards were presented to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and the MassDEP Electric Vehicle Incentive Program in the state agency category, Springfield Technical Community College and the University of Massachusetts System in the public higher education category, the Town of Winchester and the Town of Needham in the municipal category, and Matt Coogan of Gloucester/Essex and Julia Wolfe of the Operational Services Division in the individual category.

“The Commonwealth has made extraordinary progress implementing energy and environmental innovation across all levels of government particularly at our colleges and universities,” said Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “The public institutions of higher learning play a special role in our collective efforts to create a clean and health environmental future. They are truly leading by example.”

State Agency Awardees

The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke received an award for actively implementing energy efficiency efforts across its campus to reduce environmental impacts, improve efficiencies, and reduce costs while providing healthcare to Massachusetts veterans. Achievements include the installation of thousands of LED lights, upgrading to high-efficiency pumps, converting 2 roofs to ‘cool’ white roofs, which, along with a number of other measures, have helped the facility reduce energy use an estimated 40%, lower greenhouse emissions by 54% and reduce energy costs by 13% since 2004.

MassDEP’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) was recognized for its efforts to advance the purchase and increased use of electric vehicles throughout Massachusetts utilizing extensive outreach programs and awarding almost 200 grants from Provincetown on Cape Cod to Williamstown in the Berkshires. Since 2013, MassEVIP has awarded over $2 million in grants for public fleet vehicles at state agencies, campuses, and municipalities, as well as Workplace Charging grants to more than 130 MA employers resulting in the installation of more than 330 EV charging stations, supporting two-thirds of Massachusetts’ overall infrastructure of 499 EV charging stations statewide.

Public Higher Education Awardees

Springfield Technical Community College was recognized for its progress and creative approach to advancing energy efficiency and sustainability on campus. Achievements include upgrading insulation and windows in historic buildings, decentralizing and upgrading its heating system to save an estimated $200,000 a year, streamlining its shuttle route to save fuel and reduce emissions, connecting the current energy-efficient renovation of a historic building to the curriculum, and requiring double-sided printing to reduce paper consumption and save approximately $14,000 a year.

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) System was recognized for its impressive sustainability programs across the 5 campuses that successfully leveraged used the UMass Sustainability Council to effectively share best practices and collaborate with the UMass President’s Office. Collective achievements include a 14% reduction in GHG emissions over the 5 campuses despite a growth in building square footage of 35% since 2004, the construction of 18 LEED Certified buildings since 2010, the installation two of the top five largest cleaner-burning natural gas combined heat and power systems in Massachusetts, the development of shared sustainability policies, and publication of a comprehensive annual sustainability report.

Municipal Awardees

The Town of Winchester, designated a Green Community in 2010, was recognized for successfully implementing energy and sustainability initiatives through the collective work of dozens of municipal town committees and volunteers. Accomplishments include dozens of projects implemented by the Energy Management Committee saving over $5 million in energy costs, including a 24% natural gas reduction at the Public Library since 2010, and Sustainable Winchester’s Senior Energy Grant Program that funds weatherization improvements for senior-citizens. 

The Town of Needham was recognized for effectively implementing a wide range of clean energy and water conservation initiatives that benefit the community as a whole. Achievements include the 3.5 MW landfill solar PV system that opened in 2016, generating about 27% of the Town’s public building demand, the participation of over 100 homes in the Solarize Needham program, and the town’s robust water conservation efforts that includes the distribution of free water-efficiency kits for residents.

Public Sector Individual Awardees

Matt Coogan, Planner for the City of Gloucester and the Town of Essex, was recognized for his positive impact in supporting energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives, plus his key role in Green Communities efforts in Gloucester and Essex. Matt’s accomplishments include advancing efficiency upgrades savings hundreds of thousands in energy costs annually at municipal buildings, the creation of an Energy Reduction Plan for the regional school district, and leading public outreach efforts on energy issues like LED streetlights.

Julia Wolfe, Director of Environmental Purchasing at the MA Operational Services Division, was recognized for her achievements in advancing the procurement and use of environmentally preferable products and services throughout state government and municipalities. Julia’s achievements include supporting OSD’s Sourcing Leads to incorporate environmentally preferable products into approximately 50 contracts, leading the multi-state Green Cleaning Products contract sourcing team that reduces environmental impacts and delivers an average 20% cost discount, and earning MA a national award for energy-efficient computer equipment purchasing. In 2015, Massachusetts purchased $385 million in environmental preferable products, saving more than $28 million in annual costs, primarily from energy-efficient products.

“Our collective efforts to reduce energy consumption through conservation and innovative initiates has been paying dividends in Massachusetts and Matt Coogan has been providing outstanding leadership with positive outcomes for the environment and our citizens,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).  “Matt’s work on behalf of Gloucester and Essex is exemplary.”

“I commend Matt for his hard work and dedication in bringing energy efficiency to our schools, public buildings and municipal lighting,” said State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “His cost saving efforts have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings to the communities of Gloucester and Essex.”

155 Massachusetts cities and towns are designated as Green Communities, with 54% of the Commonwealth’s residents living in one of the designated municipalities. The commitment by 155 communities amounts to savings of 2,153,992 MMBtu, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 17,000 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 203,538 tons, equivalent to taking almost 39,000 cars off the road.

Governor Baker Unveils Workers’ Compensation Pilot for Opioid-Related Cases

Governor Baker Unveils Workers’ Compensation Pilot for Opioid-Related Cases

Two-year pilot voluntarily expedites cases, pain management options for injured workers

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker joined Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Ronald L. Walker, II and Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders to announce a new voluntary program to assist injured workers who have settled workers’ compensation claims get treatment for pain management, aimed at limiting the use of opioids or other narcotics.

“Coordinating alternative viable chronic pain management options between an injured worker and their insurance company can reduce the chance of addiction to prescription opioids,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Judges have seen a rising number of overdoses and deaths as these proceedings play out in the courts and this pilot will help resolve cases more swiftly as another tool for fighting the opioid epidemic.”

The program seeks to resolve court cases more swiftly by assigning a care coordinator to mediate treatment options between an injured worker and the insurance company paying for medical care.

“This program is an important tool for changing behaviors and curbing the devastating opioid epidemic impacting Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Instead of sending injured workers home with prescription opioids to ease the pain in the short term, we can assist them in understanding the long-term repercussions and other pain management options available to them.”

Workers compensation cases are handled by judges in the Department of Industrial Accidents, an agency within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

“This program can help to increase trust between injured workers and their insurers to ensure what’s best for an individual’s health and recovery,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said. “We hope the acceptance of this mediation process by both sides will offer opportunities that lead to better care and fewer cases of addiction.”

Massachusetts is one of the first states to implement this type of program for workers’ compensation cases involving long-term opioid use. Ohio launched a similar program in October, and in January, 2017, New York will begin allowing parties to request an expedited hearing before a judge for cases involving over-use of medication.

“It is important that we help individuals get effective treatment in order to recover from addictions and get back to work.  We know that treatments can lead to recovery,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders said. “Care coordination is especially important to guide workers to the appropriate treatment and recovery support services.”

The pilot program is designed for individuals with settled workers’ compensation cases, who are still being treated with opioids, but the insurance company seeks to stop payment for continued-use of opioids. These types of cases can take up to a year to settle while an individual is continually prescribed opioids.

“In my courtroom, I have seen too many people become addicted to drugs due to a work injury,”Department of Industrial Accidents Senior Judge Omar Hernandez said. “We felt their frustration and were pleased to work toward a pilot that we believe will help these individuals find a better way to address their injuries.”

The program will be voluntary for both the injured worker and the insurance company. There will be no additional costs to the state to implement the new process, which fast-tracks court proceedings to mediation and assigns a care coordinator. In developing the program, the Department of Industrial Accidents sought input from insurers, injured workers, physicians, and substance-use specialists.

A nine-person committee is being formed to oversee the pilot program, consisting of:

·       Henry Bratcher, of Engelberg, Bratcher & Kenner, a Boston law firm

·       Dr. Roberto Feliz, a specialist in pain management

·       DIA Senior Judge Omar Hernandez

·       Deborah G. Kohl, an attorney who represents injured employees

·       Jessica Muradian, deputy chief of staff for the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

·       Tracey Nicolosi, assistant director of Quality Assurance and Licensing at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health  

·       Judy Walden Scarafile, a registered pharmacist and a member of the Regional Substance Abuse Council for Barnstable County

·       Dr. Tony Tannoury, assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine and director of spine services at Boston Medical Center  

·       AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman

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BPS Announces Major Investment to Expand Extended Learning Time to Additional 39 Schools Next Year

BPS Announces Major Investment to Expand Extended Learning Time to Additional 39 Schools Next Year

District will provide Extended Learning Time to majority of students; BPS budget for Fiscal Year 2018 maintains school funding formula

BOSTON - Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 - The Boston Public Schools (BPS), through additional funding from the City of Boston, will make a $14 million investment in its Fiscal Year 2018 budget that will allow more than 15,000 additional students in 39 schools to benefit from Extended Learning Time (ELT) next school year -- an effort that is proven to close opportunity gaps for students. With this added investment, BPS will have implemented extended learning time in 57 schools serving over 23,000 students in only three years. "I am proud that Boston will soon provide more time for enrichment, intervention and personalized learning opportunities to a majority of our students," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh, who has made expanding learning time a major focus of his administration. "Our children need and deserve more time for high-quality instruction. Research tells us that there is a real positive connection between a longer school day and stronger student growth." Under the leadership of BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang and with support from Mayor Walsh, BPS is making the creation of a longer school day a cornerstone of the district's budget for the coming fiscal year, appropriating approximately $14 million for Boston's schools to fund the 40 minutes of added classroom time to more than 15,000 additional students. "I want to commend Mayor Walsh for his ongoing support to expand learning time for our students, who traditionally have received fewer classroom hours than the national average," Dr. Chang said. "This is a critical component in our effort to close opportunity and achievement gaps." According to a statewide study in Massachusetts published in 2012, schools with extended learning showed a "statistically significant" positive effect in 5th grade science, 6th grade math, 8th grade science and 7th grade English Language Arts. Students in ELT schools also outperformed their peers in non-ELT schools in growth measurements on all MCAS tests. "It is clear that a longer school day can contribute to improving student gains," Dr. Chang said. "However, those gains are not achieved simply by providing more instructional hours to students. ELT also provides our educators additional time each week to collaborate as a team to improve instruction and student growth. Our teachers have given us overwhelmingly positive feedback that this is important in creating a culture of quality teaching." By prioritizing long-term financial planning, Dr. Chang has also taken steps to ensure that there will be no changes to the school funding formula in the budget that he will present to the School Committee on February 1st.  BPS uses a weighted student funding formula that allocates money for school budgets based on student need. Despite continuing uncertainties around state funding and other fiscal pressures, BPS is committed to maintaining student weights to provide principals with the confidence needed to start planning for next school year. In FY18, funding directed to schools will increase by three percent, even before employee collective bargaining increases are negotiated. "We have been working hard to identify greater operational efficiencies within BPS and to further streamline our Central Office operations. I am very excited to announce that we are prepared to balance the FY18 budget without any changes to the way schools are funded through student weights," Dr. Chang said, referring to the funding mechanism for schools. "We believe in allowing families to choose the school that's the best fit for their children. To make school choice possible, dollars follow students," Superintendent Chang explained, noting that individual school budgets will be driven by their enrollments and student populations. Eleanor Laurans, Chief Financial Officer for BPS, said the district is developing ways to address the pressures on its budget through a Long Term Financial Plan. The district has kicked off a series of community events to get input on potential ways to unlock dollars to be re-invested in classrooms. "That work has already begun paying off this year," Laurans said. "BPS remains committed to our long term planning effort, which will allow us to maximize dollars that go to school budgets while also identifying additional resources for investment. One of those critical investments will roll out next year as we implement extended learning time." BPS has provided extended learning time to approximately 13,500 students attending more than 30 non-traditional schools, including innovation, pilot, turnaround and Horace Mann in-district charter schools, as well as early education centers. In 2015-16, as part of an agreement with the Boston Teachers Union, BPS implemented extended learning time at an additional 18 elementary, middle and K-8 schools with 600 teachers serving 7,500 students. Combined with the group of schools that will provide extended learning time next school year, a total of more than 23,000 students in 57 schools with 1,700 teachers will benefit from extended learning time. Under Mayor Walsh, the Boston Public Schools has continued to make other key strategic investments aimed at increasing student achievements, closing opportunity and achievement gaps, and putting the most effective teachers in its classrooms. In the past year alone, BPS has invested: $3 million to continue expanding the district's nationally recognized early education programming by adding more than 200 additional pre-K seats at five schools, including the first dual-language K1 class in East Boston. Previously, $1 million had been invested in both FY15 and FY16 for an additional 100 seats each year. $1.2 million to launch Excellence for All, a pilot program designed to provide students starting in the fourth grade the same rigorous instruction and enriched learning opportunities offered to those enrolled in the district's "Advanced Work Class," which is open to only those students who score high enough in standardized tests. $8 million for the Early Hiring Initiative to ensure that BPS schools can better compete with charter schools and suburban districts for the most talented and diverse teacher candidates earlier in the hiring season. "The children of Boston are the city's greatest resource," Mayor Walsh said. "We are deeply committed to ensuring that our students have access to high-quality early educational experiences, expanded learning opportunities and topnotch teachers to help them succeed in college, career and life." For more information on expanded learning in BPS, visit http://bostonpublicschools.org/elt/research.