BOSTON — A sizeable amount of state money could be heading into Fitchburg Public Schools with the approval of a wide-ranging education finance bill in the Statehouse — and all that’s left is the Governor’s signature.
On Wednesday, state lawmakers unanimously passed a highly anticipated bill overhauling the state’s funding formula for public education and infusing at least $1.5 billion into school districts over the next seven years.
The bill is a compromise between differing House and Senate versions of the legislation.
The bill has been praised by advocates for addressing educational inequity by diverting funds to school systems with a higher percentage of low-income students.
According to a report published by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2018, approximately 62% of students enrolled in the Fitchburg district are considered “economically disadvantaged.”
If Gov. Charlie Baker signs off, the “Student Opportunity Act” would increase Chapter 70 funding to schools and change how the money is distributed.
Sen. Dean Tran said he has always been a supporter of public education, and that this bill provides a necessary boost.
“I believe every child should be afforded a quality education regardless of their social-economic status,” Tran said in a social media post. “I hope the passage of this bill will benefit those schools that have been neglected with inadequate state funding since the Education Act of 1993.”
In his inaugural speech on the House floor on Oct. 23, Rep. Stephan Hay said he supports the bill because it “truly advocates for education.”
“The ZIP code of where you live should not determine your educational opportunities,” said Hay. “Today, we have the opportunity to say that those who are economically disadvantaged will have a path out of poverty. Today, we have the opportunity to truly level the playing field.”
A significant piece of the funding will provide additional funding to support English language learners. It would also increase special education funding, and the foundation rates for guidance and psychological services.
In the state report, 71% of students in Fitchburg were a part of the high needs subgroup because they were in one or more of the following groups: economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English language learners or former English language learners.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority would also get a boost of $200 million in its budget for school building construction and renovation projects.
It would also establish the Data Advisory Commission to help improve the use of data at the state, direct, and school levels to inform strategies that strengthen teaching, learning and resource allocation.
If passed, the state would update how it considers health care costs for employees and retirees to ensure allocations are more accurate.
It is currently unclear how much money each school district will get under this new plan, if approved.
Superintendent Robert Jokela said the passage of the bill would allow the schools to “hit the reset button” here in Fitchburg.
“We could have a substantial opportunity to improve the district next year,” said Jokela during a recent School Committee meeting.
Many of the changes proposed in the bill are based on a 2015 report that found the school spending formula — created under the state’s 1993 education reform law — is outdated.
According to the report, low-income, minority and immigrant students are the most affected, which creates a gap with students in wealthier districts.
In recent years, the Baker administration has increased Chapter 70 funding but not how the money is distributed.
The governor has 10 days to sign, veto or send the bill back to lawmakers with recommended changes.
