This bill allocates $100 million from the Education and Transportation Fund to provide one-time grants for public schools and districts in the commonwealth for fiscal year 2027. The funds will be distributed based on each district's share of foundation enrollment as of October 1, 2025, and must be deposited into a separate account for use by local school committees without further approval. The legislation explicitly states that these funds are non-recurring and will not count as base aid for the following fiscal year.
HD 488 changes how Massachusetts charter schools are funded by requiring districts to pay charter schools based on each district's actual per-pupil spending, adjusted for how much above their foundation budget they spend. Instead of a flat rate, districts calculate payments using their foundation budget (excluding special education tuition-outs) and an adjusted percentage reflecting their actual spending above that budget. This directly affects sending districts (which pay the funding) and charter schools (which receive it), ensuring payments better reflect the cost of educating students in each district. The bill also excludes certain costs like special education tuition-outs from the calculation and specifies how the state treasurer handles payments and deductions.
This bill establishes a special commission to study and improve Massachusetts' state funding for special education services. The commission, composed of education officials, legislative leaders, and advocates from disability and school organizations, will examine the current Chapter 70 funding formula and the special education circuit breaker program. It must recommend specific changes by March 2026, including adjustments for inflation, modifications to local funding requirements, and improvements to the circuit breaker program. The commission's work directly affects how special education funding is calculated and distributed across school districts.
By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1451) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to provide for reserve funds for school districts. Municipalities and Regional Government.
By Representative Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 670) of Alice Hanlon Peisch relative to special education finance. Education.
This bill changes how Massachusetts distributes state lottery revenue to cities and towns. It requires lottery funds to be distributed proportionally based on each city or town's share of statewide lottery sales, rather than using previous methods. The state treasurer must then pay this revenue in 12 equal monthly installments to cities and towns for "budgeted aid" (including education aid and payments in lieu of taxes). Additionally, it mandates using the latest U.S. Census population data for calculating distributions in other aid programs like school funding and library aid. The bill affects all Massachusetts cities and towns receiving these state payments.
By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 407) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to create a special commission to examine regional school education finance reform. Education.
By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 328) of John J. Cronin, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to full funding of regional school district transportation. Education.
By Mr. Cyr (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 337) of John Lamb, for legislation relative to school district funding is allocated evenly, relative to the number of attending students, among the towns in such a district.. Education.
This bill establishes a minimum foundation funding level for special education services in Massachusetts public schools. It directly affects school districts that serve students with special needs by requiring them to receive at least this set amount per student. The key provision modifies the existing funding formula to ensure a consistent base level of support for special education programs across all districts.
