By Bob Katzen
Another bill before the Education Committee would establish a 17-member task force to review and investigate indoor air quality in public school buildings that provide education for K-12 children.
The committee would be tasked with identifying indicators of indoor air quality by conducting an assessment of carbon monoxide detection systems within each public school, developing best practices for placement and installation of carbon monoxide detection systems and reviewing the regulation of minimum and maximum allowable air temperatures and relative humidity. By October 1, 2026, the task force would be required to file a report on its findings, which would include recommendations for any proposed legislation.
“Ensuring that our children are safe at school is of utmost importance,” said sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “This legislation creates a task force to examine current carbon monoxide monitoring, temperature settings and the impact this has on the school setting. The taskforce would then establish new practices that are in line with the highest standards possible to ensure that air quality in schools is what is best for our children.”
LOCAL PLANNING BOARDS (H 2300) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would allow associate members of local Planning Boards to act on any matter before a planning board, mirroring the current law that applies to associate members of Zoning Boards of Appeal. An associate planning board member is one that is appointed to act in place of regular members because of absence, conflict of interest or when a seat is vacant. The bill was given initial approval by the House in the 2024 session but died in committee with no further action taken.
Supporters of the bill said that the attorney general has ruled that associate members may only act on a special permit application, and none of the other many functions of a planning board. They said that the attorney general’s ruling can handicap a planning board when trying to attain a quorum to open a meeting, or when voting on other matters and permits before them, such as site plans or subdivisions.
“Planning Boards have many responsibilities including but not limited to long range planning and permitting of special permits, site plans and subdivisions,” said sponsor Rep. Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton). “This will help the Planning Boards in our communities keep permitting on track and move through the business in front of them. Amendments like this clear up confusion in the law and provide needed tools for community success.”
NO-COST EARLY LITERACY TUTORING IN 272 SCHOOLS – The Healey Administration announced that 272 schools in Massachusetts have been selected to receive free, early literacy tutoring this school year, designed to help students in kindergarten through third grade build foundational reading skills — with Grade 1 as the top priority. This “High-dosage tutoring” provides one-on-one or small-group tutoring sessions multiple times a week for at least ten weeks.
“It’s crucial for our teachers and schools to have access to the resources they need to support every young reader,” said Gov. Healey. “This initiative will help bring high-dosage early literacy tutoring directly to students who need it most, giving them the foundational skills essential for long-term success.”
“When our schools have access to evidence-based, culturally sustaining tutoring options, students are more likely to achieve the critical milestone of reading proficiently by third grade,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “This opportunity targets first grade, a crucial year for learning to read.”
“Learning to read in first grade is a milestone on the pathway to future success in school, and in life,” said Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “It’s hard to overstate the importance of learning to read in the early grades, and we want each and every Massachusetts student to get the support they need to achieve that.”