Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, co-Chair of the Public Schools Task Force, reported that the Public Schools Task Force is focusing on building partnerships with businesses. He highlighted a Boston program called "Kids Compute 2001,î This partnership has increased the ratio of computers to students from 63 to one to seven students for each computer. The goal for 2001 is to reach four students per computer. Menino also reported that Boston became the first major urban school system to wire all of its schools to the internet and noted that this could not have been achieved without the help of over 100 businesses.

Menino reported on a resolution developed by the Task Force that passed later in the meeting. "The resolution is designed to drive our schools forward rather than throw them in reverse with budget cuts. We call for a sensible partnership to be developed with the federal government and the states. These partners must consider school construction, after school, early childhood intervention, teacher training, and all the elements that contribute to making our schools safe and productive learning environments," said Menino.