THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 24, 2023 Page 11 Grant to support trailblazing high school and system leaders pursuing transformative change Application deadline March 15 at 5 p.m. B OSTON, Mass. – Now that many pandemic restrictions have been lifted, schools are aiming to return to the way things were before COVID-19. High school and system leaders face a tough decision: seize the opportunity to make changes that will lead to more equitable outcomes for students or return to the status quo. Barr Foundation, a nonprofit focused on helping all students thrive in and beyond high school, is seeking up to 10 grantees for “Meeting the Moment: Transforming the High School Experience.” High school and system leaders from all over New England are invited to submit a proposal for up to $100,000 to support internal learning and planning, stakeholder engagement, and project management from July 2023–July 2024. “Now is the time to challenge the status quo and move towards a vision of educational excellence that our students deserve,” says Barr Foundation Director of Education Jenny Curtin. “Too often, school and system structures, policies, practices, and belief systems limit access to opportunity and contribute to inequitable outcomes for students of color, low-income students, students learning English, and students with special needs.” Barr is seeking applicants that are ready to embrace this pivotal moment and are open to new possibilities for fundamental change at both the high school and system level. They must also have a signifi cant or fast-growing percentage of high need students, and/or a plan to center the needs of students not currently being served well by the current school model. Grantees will receive financial support and will participate in a community of practice that allows them to develop both a vision of excellence and an implementation strategy to make that vision a reality. The work will have three phases with aligned supports from national experts, at no cost to the grantees: · Learn (Fall 2023) – Deepen collective capacity to understand and respond to the students served; utilize and enhance leadership experiences; and identify how policies, practices, and organizational systems contribute to or prevent students from thriving in our schools. · Dream (Winter 2024) – See what’s possible through interactions with and visits to bright spot schools/districts. · Plan (Spring 2024) – Develop a plan for a transformed high school experience and system customized to the local context. For more information or to apply for the program, visit the website or email EducationRFP@barrfoundation.org. Applications will be open through March 15 at 5 p.m. About the Barr Foundation: The Barr Foundation’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. Based in Boston, Barr focuses regionally, and selectively engages nationally, working in partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector, and civic and business leaders to elevate the arts, advance solutions for climate change, and connect all students to success in high school and beyond. Learn more at barrfoundation.org. New Tax Foundation report shows Mass. has highest top marginal tax rate in New England Seventh highest in the entire country R ecently, the Tax Foundation released a new report comparing all 50 states and their income tax rate. The Tax Foundation report shows that Massachusetts has the highest top marginal tax rate in all of New England and seventh highest in the entire country. This decline in ranking comes after voters narrowly passed Question 1 last November, which added a four percent surcharge on the state’s five percent income tax rate, which triggers on income over a million dollars. The Tax Foundation report can be found at https://taxfoundation.org/state-income-taxrates-2023/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=246593419&_ hsenc=p2ANqtz-_G_8JEEWi4VcBxrR ne4NLnMXteAmJRzNoffOImMQ4yxfvNGQ2w4AFqiWujgFc3nO2np2AyLt9Jc2qVks - 4BiW_RrilNMA&utm_content=246593419&utm_ source=hs_email BEACON | FROM PAGE 9 end of an annual session. During the week of February 13-17, the House met for a total of nine minutes while the Senate met for a total of 15 minutes. Mon.Feb. 13 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:06 a.m. to 11:18 a.m. Tues. Feb. 14 No House session No Senate session Wed.Feb. 15 “Massachusetts has completely lost its economic competitive edge, now having the highest top tax rate for income taxes in New England, and seventh highest in the entire country. Despite this setback, some Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing forward with ways to add more taxes such as penalizing couples when they fi le their taxes as married,” noted Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance Spokesperson/Board Member Paul D. Craney. “Governor Maura Healey made a campaign promise to cut taxes, and for the sake of our state’s economic competitiveness, the Governor should cut the state income tax rate. Being the highest in New England and among the highest in the country will only drive out more taxpayers unless broad tax cuts are adopted,” continued Craney. “The taxpayers of Massachusetts desperately need their Governor to fulfil her camNo House session No Senate session Thurs. Feb. 16 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:17 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Fri.Feb. 17 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019 paign promise and cut taxes to benefi t all Massachusetts taxpayers,” concluded Craney.
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