Committee debates two‑year cap on education spending increases; staff outlines appeals review

A Finance committee meeting on Feb. 20 examined S.220, a bill that would limit year‑to‑year increases in allowable education spending for fiscal years 2028–29 and provide a temporary bridge toward a future foundation formula. Committee members and staff debated whether the cap should be calculated per pupil (with a 3% floor rising to 9% for lower‑spending districts) or whether districts should be allowed the greater of prior‑year education spending increased by an inflation index (NIPA) or the per‑pupil allowable growth.

The distinction matters for districts with falling enrollment and ‘‘weighted’’ pupils (students counted with additional weights for poverty, special education or English‑language learners). Staff described a ‘‘hold‑harmless’’ alternative that would let districts use…