Council hears push for BPS fundraising disclosure law
Boston council committee probes private fundraising gaps across BPS, citing New York City's disclosure law as a model.
City Council 2026-09-22 1400 · Meeting of September 22, 2026
Boston council committee probes private fundraising gaps across BPS, citing New York City's disclosure law as a model. Committee on Education Chair Julia Mejia convened the hearing on docket 0406, hearing from former New York City Councilor Mark Trager, author of that city's 2018 PTA transparency law, which found over 24 PTAs raising more than $1 million each while 370 of 1,600 schools reported zero activity. Testimony showed the Boston Latin School Association held more than $97 million in net assets in 2025, against roughly $9,000 for the Friends of the Nathan Hale School.
BPS Chief of Finance David Bloom said the district directs $7 million this year to 105 higher-need schools through its Opportunity Index. Councilor Miniard Culpepper pressed Bloom on why Orchard Gardens School couldn't get torn auditorium seats fixed on an emergency basis. "We can't fix a disparity that we cannot see," said parent Sarah Delori.
No votes were taken; Mejia said she'll convene a working group toward a Boston disclosure requirement.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,735 words
Source: the City Council 2026-09-22 1400 meeting of September 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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