Westborough Schools Could Have Phone-Free Classrooms With New State Grant

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough is expected to receive a large grant to help create phone-free classrooms, according to state officials.

Westborough Public Schools will receive $60,000 in state funding to purchase cell phone lock boxes for classrooms, Sen. Michael Moore (D-2nd Worcester) announced Wednesday in a social media post. Moore said the funding comes from a legislative earmark included in the FY27 state budget and supported through revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment.

“Westborough Public Schools is set to receive $60,000 to purchase cell phone lock boxes to help create phone-free classrooms thanks to an earmark I secured in the FY27 budget,” Sen. Moore wrote.

The funding comes from the state’s “Fair Share” surtax, approved by voters in 2022, which adds an additional tax on annual income over $1 million. It's also known as the "millionaires tax."

Local communities and school districts can receive targeted funding through earmarks or eligible state programs funded by the amendment.

The announcement comes more than a month after Sen. Moore said Westborough would receive another $115,000 in state funding for a traffic study along Route 9 and roadway signage upgrades.

Another local project also received state funding through an earmark. The Westborough Public Library was awarded $12,500 in state funding as construction continues on the building renovation project.

The library remains in the middle of a full-scale renovation that includes upgrades to HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression and electrical systems, along with structural repairs and redesigned interior spaces. The project is targeting a fall 2026 reopening.

In the meantime, the library is operating from its temporary location at 1500 Union St. in Bay State Commons.

See Also:

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