Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday filed a supplemental budget request that includes $27.6 million to fully fund the state’s fiscal 2014 obligation to reimburse cities, towns and regional school districts for a portion of Chapter 70 school aid deducted as tuition to charter schools.
The fiscal 2014 state budget included only $75 million for this account, whereas the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education estimates full funding at $102.6 million.
The diversion of Chapter 70 school aid away from public schools to pay tuition to charter schools has imposed a growing financial burden on cities and towns. State policy is intended to mitigate a portion of this financial impact through a formula to reimburse school districts for the loss of some of their Chapter 70 aid that is redirected to fund charter schools, but the funding for this program depends on adequate appropriations in the state budget or in subsequent supplemental budgets.
“When charter school reimbursements fall short, communities are forced to cut other programs and services to make up the difference,” MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith wrote in a letter to the governor today. “Your support for fully funding the charter school reimbursement program will aid the most vulnerable and challenged school districts and communities in Massachusetts. … Thank you for supporting this vital program.”
The governor’s supplemental budget bill (H. 4049), which totals $162 million, also includes the $20 million for opiate abuse treatment and prevention programs that the governor announced in his public health emergency declaration on March 27.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.