Resolved, SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a special commission to study and report on ways to improve the calculation of foundation budgets to more adequately reflect the differences between educating a student in an urban community and a suburban or rural community, including the possibility of establishing alternate funding formulas to represent regional differences. The commission shall consist of the commissioner of education; 3 members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall to be appointed by the speaker of the house, and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house; 3 members of the senate, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president, and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate minority leader; the Secretary of Administration and Finance or their designee; the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or their designee; a representative of the Massachusetts Municipal Association; and a member appointed by the governor. The scope of the commission shall include, but shall not be limited to: researching the adequacy of the current chapter 70 education formula; investigating the financial impact of altering the calculation of the foundation budget on cities and towns and the state budgeting process; analyzing the various factors that contribute to calculating the foundation budgets based upon the unique aspects of the different regions and demographics of the Commonwealth; and the possibility of implementing different foundation budget calculations for different regions of the Commonwealth. The commission shall submit its report to the board of education, the joint committee on education, and the senate and house clerks no later than one months after the passage of this act.
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