“I think it’s a tribute to the mayor’s overriding commitment’’ to education, she said. “It doesn’t matter to the mayor where you go to school. It matters that you get a phenomenal education.’’
Charter schools are autonomous public schools known for education innovations, in part because they have fewer restrictions from unions, which are frequent critics of the charter system.
But Campbell said that she does not expect to have any problems negotiating with the Boston Teachers Union as a committee member.
“I’m really clear that my mission is children and their families,’’ she said. “And if that’s the mission of the teachers union, then we have nothing to disagree about.’’
She also said she would recuse herself from any committee votes that might directly affect her school.
“I wouldn’t want to have even the appearance of a conflict of interest,’’ she said. “I’m really accustomed to transparent accountability, so I kind of bring that spirit . . . to my service on the School Committee. I don’t have anything to hide, and I think that’s the way we make great schools.’’
Richard Stutman, president of the Boston Teachers Union, declined to comment last night on the disagreements between charter schools and unions. But he did criticize the way committee members are selected.
“Having an appointed school board is not the first choice of many people interested in moving the school system forward,’’ Stutman said yesterday. “However, both of the individuals the mayor appointed are esteemed individuals who are deeply dedicated to improving public education in Boston.’’
Menino also said he would appoint Claudio Martinez to another four-year term on the board.
In 2009, the Globe reported on a Codman Academy meet-and-greet event, in which about 30 college representatives spoke to juniors in five-minute intervals. The students received a crash course in potential college destinations, from Harvard University to Bunker Hill Community College.
