Amendment #987 to H4000

Commission to Study School funding

Representatives Durant of Spencer, Kuros of Uxbridge, Fattman of Sutton and Heroux of Attleboro move to amend the bill by adding the following section:-

"SECTION XX,

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a special commission to study local contributions to public school districts. The commission shall review the feasibility of limiting a municipality’s contribution to a school district’s budget to 2½ per cent above the previous year’s contribution on a per pupil basis unless the municipality votes to override the measure at a ballot election. The commission shall evaluate the potential impact the measure may have on municipalities and public school districts within the commonwealth. The commission shall make any recommendations or suggestions as it sees fit.

The commission shall consist of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on revenue, who shall serve as co-chairs of the commission; 1 member to be appointed by the senate president; 1 member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member to be appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 member to be appointed by the house minority leader; the commissioner of the department of revenue or the commissioner’s designee; the commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education or the commissioner’s designee, 2 persons to be appointed by the governor and 1 representative from each of the following associations: the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association. All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this resolve.  The chairpersons shall meet with the commission not later than 60 days after the effective date of this resolve.

SECTION 2. The commission shall report to the general court the result of its study and its recommendations, if any, together with any drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerk of the House of Representatives not later than 180 days after the first meeting of the commission."