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H 537

An Act relative to school site councils and the district parent advisory council

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Manny Cruz

H.537 formalizes district and school councils as advisory bodies to the school committee, requiring biannual presentations, needs assessments, progress reports, and annual evaluati

Hearing scheduled for 11/12/2025 from 11:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · H 537

Summary of H.537: An Act relative to school site councils and the district parent advisory council

Bill number: H.537
Title: An Act relative to school site councils and the district parent advisory council
Introduced: February 27, 2025
Status and hearings: Hearing scheduled November 12, 2025, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, Gardner Auditorium
Referred to: Committee on Education
Related actions: Senate concurrence noted February 27, 2025; similar matter previously filed as H.3944 (2023-2024)

Purpose and intent

H.537 seeks to formalize and expand the role of parent advisory councils related to special education, English language learners, and district-level parent advisory work, by embedding them as advisory bodies to local school committees. The bill also establishes governance, training, reporting, and evaluation requirements for school site councils, with an emphasis on data-driven planning and accountability.

Key provisions

  • Section 59C½ (new): Establishes that certain parent advisory councils shall serve as advisory councils to the school committee

    • Eligible councils include:
    • Parent advisory council on special education (Chapter 71B, Sec. 3)
    • English learner parent advisory council (Chapter 71A, Sec. 6A)
    • District parent advisory council (Chapter 71A, Sec. 6A)
    • Each council must biannually present their work in the district to the school committee.

  • Training and governance (school committee responsibilities)

    • The school committee must ensure funding for training of school council members (per existing Section 59C of Chapter 71), including local governance and leadership training.
    • Training may include Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) offerings provided by the district.
    • The superintendent must provide a governance training manual written by district employees.

  • School council responsibilities

    • Needs assessment: School councils must assess each school's needs by reviewing the federal annual state report card (per 20 U.S.C. § 6311(h)) as soon as possible after publication.
    • Progress reporting: Councils must provide complete progress reports on current goals at the middle and end of the school year, in time to support budget development and future planning.
    • Evaluation: Each school council must complete an annual evaluation of its performance, distributed to the principal and council chair by April and completed by June 1; a copy must be provided to the school committee.
    • Department oversight: The Department of Education will establish rules and regulations to implement these provisions.

Who is affected

  • School committees: Responsible for oversight, funding, and receipt of biannual council presentations.
  • School site councils: Obligated to conduct needs assessments, report progress, and undergo annual evaluations.
  • District-level and English learner/special education parent advisory councils: Serve as advisory bodies to the school committee and provide biannual presentations.
  • District staff and administrators: Implement training programs, governance manuals, and process for reporting and evaluation.
  • Students and families: Beneficiaries through enhanced accountability, informed planning, and targeted supports driven by advisory councils’ work and school needs assessments.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Not specified in the provided text; provisions become operative through the inserted Section 59C½ and related Department rules.
  • Reporting schedule: Biannual advisory presentations; mid-year and end-of-year progress reports; annual council evaluation due by June 1 and shared with the school committee.
  • Training and governance: School committees must fund training; superintendent to provide governance manual.
  • Rulemaking: The Department of Education is tasked with issuing regulations to implement the section.

Notes

  • The bill references similar matter filed in a prior session (H.3944 of 2023-2024).
  • The hearing is scheduled well after the bill’s introduction, indicating continued legislative consideration.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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