MA S409

Establishes a 15-member special legislative commission to investigate community schools and recommend statewide adoption strategies, co-chaired by the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Education

Commission membership includes the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services, representatives from teachers unions (AFT Massachusetts, MTA), Massachusetts Community Schools Coalition, United Way, plus 7 Governor appointees including students, a parent, superintendent, principal, coordinator, and community organization representative

Commission must analyze successful community school implementation models, assess current Massachusetts community school outcomes, identify barriers to adoption (legal, regulatory, funding, training), and research policies from other jurisdictions

Final report due February 15, 2026 must include recommendations for codifying community school definitions, funding strategies, and a detailed statewide pilot program proposal covering eligible communities, resources, funding processes, and evaluation criteria

Commission required to meet at least once every two months