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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 967 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 657
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James J. O'Day
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to promote collaboration in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James J. O'Day14th Worcester1/14/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 967 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 657
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 657) of
James J. O'Day for legislation to promote collaboration in Horace Mann and innovation schools.
Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to promote collaboration in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 89 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended in subsection (i), clause (3) by striking the words “provided,
3however, notwithstanding subsection (c) the 14 new Horace Mann charter schools shall not be
4subject to the requirement of an agreement with the local collective bargaining unit prior to
5board approval; provided, further, that after the charter for these 14 new Horace Mann charter
6schools have been granted by the board, the schools shall develop a memorandum of
7understanding with the school committee and the local union regarding any waivers to applicable
8collective bargaining agreements; provided, further, that if an agreement is not reached on the
9memorandum of understanding at least 30 days before the scheduled opening of the school, the
10charter school shall operate under the terms of its charter until an agreement is reached” 2 of 2
11 SECTION 2. Section 92 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, is hereby amended by
12striking out subsection (l), as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, and inserting in place
13thereof the following subsection:-
14 (l) Upon the completion of the innovation plan in subsection (j), the applicant, a local
15union and the superintendent shall negotiate waivers or modifications to the applicable collective
16bargaining agreement necessary for the school to implement the innovation plan.
17 In the case of a school conversion, upon the conclusion of the negotiations, the
18innovation plan shall be submitted immediately to the teachers in the school that is proposed for
19conversion for approval by secret ballot within 30 days. A two-thirds vote of the teachers shall
20be required to approve the plan. If a two-thirds vote is not achieved, the local union and
21superintendent may revise the innovation plan as necessary and submit the revised plan to the
22teachers for a subsequent vote.
23 Upon the conclusion of the negotiations, the innovation plan shall be submitted
24immediately to the school committee.