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Subcommittee refers five education funding bills and plans outreach to state delegation
Summary
The subcommittee agreed to refer five bills, including Chapter 70 inflation relief and district transportation funding, to the full school committee and discussed holding yearly meetings with the city’s legislative delegation to coordinate support.
The Parent and Community Outreach Subcommittee voted May 5 to refer five proposed education-related bills to the full school committee for endorsement and further action, including outreach to the city’s state legislative delegation.
Subcommittee members identified three bills intended to increase district funding: an adjustment to Chapter 70 inflation that would raise the district’s state education aid; additional funding for transportation to offset rapidly rising school-bus costs; and legislation to allow the district to apply for Mass School Building Authority (MSBA) funding for prekindergarten space related to the PACE Center. Two additional proposals — including formation of a mold-standards commission and another MSBA-related proposal — were discussed but previously voted down by the subcommittee.
Mister Mishan urged support for Chapter 70 inflation relief and said there would be a hearing at the State House on Monday, May 11, at 1 p.m.; he encouraged written testimony and Zoom participation. “There’s a hearing on Monday… people can submit written testimony or Zoom in,” he said. Several members flagged the urgency of transportation costs and discussed whether the committee should ask the delegation for help addressing rising bus expenses and circuit-breaker formulas.
The subcommittee’s motion to refer the five bills to the full committee was made and seconded and passed by roll call; members recorded votes in favor. The group also discussed a separate earlier vote to hold yearly meetings with the state delegation and explored logistics for scheduling such roundtable discussions in the fall to coordinate priorities and clarify funding expectations.
No formal endorsements of legislative language were adopted at the subcommittee; the referral will allow the full school committee to review the bills, consult with the superintendent and legislature liaisons, and decide whether to deliver a committee endorsement or testimony.
