‘Expand what’s working’
Chester vaguely supporting charters
The state commissioner charged with approving charter schools is offering veiled support for allowing for more of them, saying the state should “expand what’s working” just days before voters decide the hotly debated ballot question.
Mitchell D. Chester, the commissioner for Elementary and Secondary Education, has said he’s not taking a formal position on Question 2 — which would allow up to 12 new or expanded charter schools a year if the ballot measure is approved by voters Nov. 8.
But in response to a Herald inquiry, he echoed language from those pushing the measure, who have pitched their campaign on giving 32,000 wait-listed kids more school options.
“(Chester) believes the state should adopt policies that expand what’s working,” a Chester spokeswoman said, “particularly for students for whom a strong education has been elusive.”
Chester’s cryptic stance comes months after he sought guidance from state campaign finance officials about whether he could take a public position on the question. At the time of his January letter, there were actually two questions concerning the state’s education system that advocates were pushing to put before voters.
A second, which sought to end Common Core standards, was ultimately struck down by the Supreme Judicial Court over the summer.
But campaign finance officials said he could use his office’s resources to convey his personal position, including writing a newspaper op-ed if he wanted, as long as he doesn’t “proactively distribute” any statements on behalf of a ballot question committee. “Policy-making officials are customarily expected ( if not required) to take positions on matters within the area of the official’s responsibilities, or affecting their agency,” Michael Sullivan, director of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, wrote in March to Chester. Chester’s office said in seeking the guidance, he was focused “in particular” on the Common Core question, and wanted to be able to speak about the office’s work “without crossing any lines.”
“Commissioner Chester sought an OCPF opinion to ensure he knew the boundaries for both himself and our agency,” the statement said.
The fact that Chester asked for help from state officials underscores the minefield public officials face in the heated environment around public schools.
Paul Sagan, chairman of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education — to which Chester reports — came under fire earlier this fall after he donated $100,000 to the committee pushing the charter school ballot question. Critics questioned his ability to be impartial on future charter school applications, though Gov. Charlie Baker — who’s backing the question — dismissed the criticisms as a “nothing burger.”
Others have also asked Chester to investigate whether the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association used public dollars when it donated $100,000 to the Yes on 2 campaign.
Let’s consult
The MBTA’s move last month to hire a $1 million consultant to identify departments ripe for outsourcing drew an immediate rebuke from T unions , who questioned why the agency is dropping money on high-priced advisers. But don’t expect it to be the last time the T seeks outside help. Speaking at a meeting Friday about the T’s “strategic plan,” state Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said the board should give the T staff more guidance on using consultants.
“Politically, sometimes when you spend money on expensive consultants, there’s push-back from outside stakeholders saying, ‘Why are you spending money on consultants?’ ” Pollack said.
“As long as they are the right consultants, doing the right scope of work, under a contract that’s being appropriately managed, I don’t think it’s an inappropriate investment of funds as a jump-start strategy,” she said. “But it is something the staff has to be empowered to do.”