Public School Funding Hearing - State Chapter 70 Formula Under Review

The Foundation Budget Review Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 17th from 4:30-6:30 in the multi-purpose room at the Holten Richmond Middle School in Danvers.

According to the Coalition for Chapter 70 Reform, state Chapter 70 funding has decreased by $600 million since 2002. Local taxpayers have been forced to make-up the difference to fund their local school districts. For many small towns have seen tax rates soar over this same time period.

The commission has scheduled this public hearing for the purpose of soliciting testimony from members of the public on the following specific areas that the commission is charged with reviewing:

• The educational programs and services necessary to achieve the commonwealth’s educational goals and to prepare students to achieve passing scores on the state assessment system;
• The components and assumptions used in the calculation of foundation budgets;
• Measures to ensure that resources are effectively utilized; and
• Models of efficient and effective resource allocation.

Due to the limited time frame of the hearing, the number of persons providing oral testimony and the length of such testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person. If you require special accommodations or have any questions regarding the hearing, please contact Jennie Williamson, Research Director of the Education Committee, at 617-722-2070. Written comments and testimony will be also accepted after the hearing, and may be submitted to Jennie Williamson by e-mail at Jennie.Williamson@mahouse.gov.

For more information visit http://www.mma.org/images/stories/Advocacy/public_hearing_notice_nov17.pdf.