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Recovery high‑school principal urges review of funding formula to sustain programs (S406)
Summary
North Shore Recovery High School principal told the committee S406 should be advanced so DESE can review and update the per‑pupil funding formula for recovery high schools; she said publicly funded adolescent treatment capacity has declined and current rates do not cover program costs.
Michelle Mafilippinski, principal of North Shore Recovery High School, testified in support of S406, a bill that would direct DESE to review cost structures and enrollment requirements for recovery high schools. She described the specialized model used by recovery high schools — combining rigorous academics with therapeutic services — and said the current funding formula dates to 2006 and has not kept pace with the staffing and service needs of students in recovery.
Mafilippinski said publicly funded adolescent treatment capacity has diminished and that recovery high schools often rely on private funding to make up the gap; she warned that without an updated per‑pupil rate and clearer enrollment guidance, districts and providers will lack incentives to operate or expand recovery high schools. She asked the committee to support S406 and said she would submit written testimony with additional detail.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about funding and access; no committee action was recorded at the hearing.
