Legislators Celebrate Increase in Funding for Melrose Public Schools

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian are pleased to announce that the final Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Massachusetts state budget passed by the state legislature on July 31, 2023, increased Chapter 70 school funding for Melrose to $12.3 million, an increase of $2.6 million or 27% over the FY23 budget.

This very substantial increase in funding for Melrose schools is a result of the continued implementation of the Student Opportunity Act (SOA), landmark legislation passed by the state legislature in 2019 to ensure that every child in Massachusetts has access to a high-quality public education. FY24 will be the third year of implementing the SOA (which is on a six-year implementation schedule).

“Having led the passage of the Student Opportunity Act as the Senate Chair of the Education Committee, I’m thrilled to see the continuing implementation of this law deliver substantial new resources for our local schools,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m grateful that we are able to support the students, teachers, and staff at Melrose public schools with the largest increase in Chapter 70 school funding for Melrose in decades.”

"As a former teacher and education attorney, I am elated to see the continued and increased Chapter 70 funding included in the FY24 Budget for Melrose, signed by Governor Healey on August 9,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “When I was Chief Legal Counsel at the Executive Office of Education, I was pleased to work with the legislature and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the development and passage of the Student Opportunity Act. Now, this historic funding ensures the continued availability of critical resources for our schools, students, and educators."