By George P. Hassett

The first move by an elected official to explore changes to the city charter was voted down by the School Committee Monday.

Just as he promised to do in his campaign, Ward 4 School Committee member James Norton, who is also the editor of this newspaper, submitted a motion to support Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone’s proposal to create a charter reform commission and asking ‚Äúthat said commission take special consideration as to the composition of the School Committee, specifically in the way and manner in which the School Committee is elected.‚Äù

After other School Committee members spoke against it Norton changed his motion so  it
read: ‚ÄúTo send a statement of support of the Mayor’s proposal to convene a Charter Reform Commission and ask that the Mayor appoint a member of the School Committee to that commission.‚Äù

“This motion is made without personal or political bias,” Norton said at the meeting, noting that Curtatone planned to convene a charter commission. “We have an opportunity to be proactive.”

The second motion still raised the ire of other School Committee members, all of whom spoke against the move. The six other members voted against Norton’s proposal while Curtatone and Aldermen President Dennis Sullivan voted in favor of it.

‚ÄúMy blood pressure is ready to burst,‚Äù said Ward 7 School Committee member Mary Jo Rossetti. ‚ÄúI absolutely positively will not support this motion this evening. I want to be elected. Like someone said, ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.’‚Äù

Ward 2 School Committee member Theresa Cardoso said she has not heard the issue raised by constituents.

‚ÄúWhere is the outcry from the community? There is outcry – just on the other side in opposition to this,‚Äù she said. Parents have approached her and said they did not like the idea of changes to the School Committee, she said. 

In his inaugural speech this month Curtatone said he planned to convene a commission that would explore possible changes to the city’s charter which he said limits the city.

“Home rule in this state is a myth,” he said. “So many things the city does has to go to Beacon Hill first for approval. We had to ask permission to create a 311 director. It is fair to say that everything will be looked at [by a charter reform commission]. It will be a methodical, inclusive and open process.”