Boston School Committee Approves MSBA Application for Melvin H. King South End Academy

BOSTON — April 15, 2026 — Boston School Committee votes 6-0 to pursue state grant for Melvin H. King South End Academy renovation. The committee authorized a Massachusetts School Building Authority Statement of Interest application due April 17, launching a process that would not yield construction until 2031 under the MSBA Core Program timeline, with the city expecting roughly 60 percent of eligible costs reimbursed. BPS Chief of Capital Planning Del Stanislaus noted the school's Warren Avenue building "fails well below the district's average" across every domain in the facilities condition assessment, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Harold Miller Jr. described enrollment declining from approximately 300 students in 2020 to 80 in 2025. The committee also unanimously approved nine grants totaling $478,158.82 and reaffirmed MassCore as the district's graduation standard while granting the superintendent authority to approve alternatives for individual students in extenuating circumstances. Separately, the committee heard — but did not vote on — a $22,845,672 fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriation request to cover health insurance and utility overruns; a vote is expected May 6. Public comment was dominated by pleas to reverse proposed cuts to four district social worker positions, with Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia testifying by Zoom that the reductions would leave "37 schools and over 13,000 students" with diminished crisis response capacity.