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Boston School Committee To Vote On Assignment Overhaul

The Boston School Committee on Wednesday night is expected to approve a major overhaul of how students are assigned to the city's public schools.

The so-called Home-Based/A model, advanced by a special advisory committee last month, would give parents a choice of at least six schools — with at least four of them rated as "medium" or "high" quality.

The plan would also allow more students to attend schools closer to their homes.

Superintendent Carol Johnson will not be at the hearing because of the death of her husband.

School spokesman Lee McGuire says Johnson did send a letter to be read, which offers her support.

"She wants to make sure her position is heard clearly by the school committee and the community," McGuire said. "She thinks we've spent 14 months on this and that it's time to move forward."

City Councilor John Connolly, a mayoral candidate, opposes the assignment plan. He says it does not guarantee students will attend a school close to their home.

Also Wednesday night, the committee will vote on a new five-year bus contract.

The school system is recommending Illinois-based Veolia Transportation take over operations in July.

This program aired on March 13, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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