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Senator hears Maynard officials on Chapter 70 gaps and charter expansion concerns
Summary
State Sen. Eldridge met with the Maynard School Committee Nov. 7 to hear local concerns about Chapter 70 funding shortfalls and a proposed AMSA charter enrollment expansion that committee members say could shift higher-cost students back to Maynard and worsen funding inequities.
Senator Eldridge visited the Maynard School Committee on Nov. 7 to hear municipal concerns about school funding and the possible expansion of enrollment at the Assabet regional charter (AMSA).
The senator told the committee he came to listen but signaled willingness to pursue changes in state aid formulas. "We really need to take a look at the Chapter 70 formula," he said, adding that new revenue from the state’s "fair share" tax creates opportunities to increase education aid to towns that have not benefited from the Student Opportunity Act.
Committee members described a concrete local worry: AMSA has a smaller share of students with disabilities and English learners than Maynard, yet a potential increase of 36 seats systemwide could reduce Maynard’s per‑pupil resources. Member Natasha Rivera summarized the local analysis, saying the three affected towns (Hudson, Clinton and Maynard) estimate 36 new seats total—about a dozen students each—and stressed that Maynard serves a higher proportion of higher‑cost special education and EL students.
Members cited district slide materials showing AMSA averaged roughly 5–7% students with disabilities compared with about 18–20% in Maynard. They flagged reimbursement changes—initially higher but now structured as 100% the first year and 25% for the next four years—as a constraint that could leave sending districts bearing long‑term costs.
Committee members asked whether DESE (the state charter authorizer) could add enrollment guardrails or accountability conditions when a charter seeks an amendment. Senator Eldridge said charter approvals and amendments typically move through DESE and noted an open public comment period through December on AMSA’s request; he encouraged the committee to submit data and asked who he should follow up with locally.
The committee also pressed the senator on broader state funding tools such as circuit breaker aid for special education and potential adjustments to minimum‑aid per‑pupil allocations. Senator Eldridge said lawmakers are preparing budget priorities for the next legislative session beginning Jan. 1 and invited local guidance on what to advocate for on behalf of Maynard.
The meeting concluded with committee members agreeing to share the district presentation and letters for review and to invite state follow‑up; no formal vote occurred on AMSA or on direct advocacy actions during the meeting.
Next steps: the committee plans to submit formal comments to DESE during the comment period and provide the senator with the district's analysis and sample language for legislative outreach.
