Consolidated Amendment "A" to H4200

Education and Local Aid

Fiscal Note: $19,901,750

Amendments 303 and 673 have been re-categorized to Labor and Economic Development

Amendment 427 has been re-categorized from Revenue

Amendment 562 has been re-categorized from Public Health

Amendments from Education and Local Aid: 11, 21, 30, 37, 38, 65, 142, 164, 190, 192, 199, 202, 203, 211, 214, 219, 222, 232, 242, 275, 277, 281, 290, 295, 316, 317, 333, 343, 351, 353, 360, 370, 376, 378, 383, 387, 394, 410, 414, 418, 427, 431, 435, 436, 440, 441, 444, 451, 460, 476, 490, 492, 497, 500, 505, 523, 532, 538, 539, 542, 545, 546, 557, 562, 563, 565, 566, 567, 569, 575, 576, 589, 592, 594, 596, 599, 604, 607, 608, 632, 647, 652, 665, 666, 670, 671, 678, 680, 696, 697, 702, 711, 715, 722, 731, 735, 739, 748, 761, 764, 772, 788, 791, 802, 803, 812, 828, 830, 838, 845, 850, 867, 870, 877, 878, 883, 912, 921, 938, 944, 945, 946, 950, 960, 967, 972, 974, 977, 978, 979, 985, 990, 993, 996, 1015, 1021, 1024, 1030, 1032, 1035, 1039, 1051, 1058, 1063, 1072, 1075, 1076, 1077, 1078, 1082, 1085, 1096, 1103, 1104, 1109, 1114, 1116, 1127, 1146, 1151, 1153, 1154, 1184, 1187, 1201, 1202, 1205, 1206, 1209, 1212, 1222, 1227, 1232, 1235, 1238, 1249, 1261, 1268, 1279, 1291, 1294, 1295, 1301, 1303, and 1306

Mr. Dempsey of Haverhill and others move to amend H.4200 in section 2, in item 1599-0042, by striking out the figure “$10,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $15,000,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, by inserting after item 1599-7104 the following item

1599-7114 For a reserve for the costs associated with the UMass Center at Springfield; provided that not less than $250,000 shall be provided for the establishment the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Center for the Study of Racial Justice and Urban Affairs, in Springfield...........$500,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 3000-1020, by inserting after the words “in early education and care, including” the following words:- not less than $4,000,000 to be expended for;

And further move to amend said item by inserting after the word “(QRIS)” the following words:- , of which not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for direct grants to early education and school age programs participating in the Massachusetts QRIS that are actively engaged in efforts to achieve Level 3 and Level 4 in order to improve quality in early education and school age system of care;

And further move to amend said item by striking out the figure $31,530,665” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $32,530,665;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 3000-5000, by striking out the figure “$8,600,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $9,100,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, by inserting after item 3000-5000 the following item:-

3000-6025 For grants in fiscal year 2017 to support planning activities in cities, towns, regional school districts or educational collaboratives currently providing pre-kindergarten or preschool opportunities, to expand pre-kindergarten or preschool opportunities on a voluntary basis to children ages 2 years and 9 months to 3 years and 11 months old; provided, that planning grants shall be awarded through a competitive process established by the department of early education and care utilizing the Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant public-private partnership model; provided further, that preference shall be given in awarding these funds to districts serving high percentages of high-needs students; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds distributed from this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of the city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative without further appropriation; provided further that the department of early education and care shall report to the joint committee on education not later than October 15, 2016 the status of the Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant program, including but not limited to: summer assessment data of Preschool Expansion Grant students, classroom observation data, and qualitative data from program leadership, staff and parents; and provided further that said report shall also include information on the status of the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative planning grants, including but not limited to a needs assessment, program design and anticipated costs……$200,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 3000-7050, by inserting after the words “educational collaboratives” the following words:- , the home-based, school readiness and family support program known as the parent-child home program;

And further move to amend said item by striking out the figure “$13,264,626” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $14,114,626;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 3000-7070, by striking out the figure “$700,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $1,000,000;

And further move to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7000-9501, by striking out the figures, “$9,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the figure:- $9,500,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, by inserting after item 7000-9506 the following item:-

7000-9508 For the Massachusetts Center for the Book, Inc., chartered as the Commonwealth Affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress; provided, that the Massachusetts Center for the Book, Inc. shall continue its work as a public-private partnership…….$200,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7009-9600, by striking out the figure “$1,166,235” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $1,666,235;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7010-0005, by adding the following words:- ; provided, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for costs associated with technological upgrades for the Westford public school district; provided further, that not less than $90,000 shall be expended for safety upgrades for Hingham public schools; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for a school resource officer for Cohasset public schools; provided further, that not less than $88,000 shall be expended for safety upgrades for Hull  public schools; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Fall River public school district; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Brockton public school district for extraordinary student transportation costs; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for the operation of Camp Pohelo in the town of Tewksbury; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for a school resource officer for Kingston public schools; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended on Methuen High School for mental health counseling services; provided further that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the purposes of a pilot project to connect organic gardening, outdoor exercise, healthy food, food preparation and elementary school aged children in the greater Northampton area, operated by Grow Food Northampton; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Berkshire County Education Task Force to create a plan of action which will re-envision the county public education system into sustainable efficient models; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for mitigation costs in the Millis public school district; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended for anti-addiction programs in the Dennis-Yarmouth regional school district; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended for anti-addiction programs in the Nauset regional school district; provided, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for STEM programming at Madison Park High School in Boston; provided, that not less than $50,000 upgrade costs for Agawam Public Schools; and provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for the Aspire Teacher Support Program, which shall expend funds for programs that utilize retired teachers to mentor novice public school elementary and secondary education teachers;

And further move to amend said item by striking out the figure “$12,270,245” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $13,608,245;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7010-0012, by striking out the figure “$20,142,582” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $20,642,582;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7027-0019, by inserting after the word “teachers” the following words:- ; provided further, that not less than $48,750 shall be expended for the continued operation of a pilot program at the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation to provide collaboration between public school districts and area manufacturers; provided further, that no less than $250,000 shall be provided for a culinary arts program at South Hadley High School to provide vocational training to students;

And further move to amend said item by striking out the figure “$1,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $2,998,750;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7035-0002, by inserting after the words “the department of elementary and secondary education” the following words:- ; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston to provide basic workforce and skills training, employment services and job re-entry support to older workers; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Casa Dominicana of Lawrence to assist with citizenship, high school equivalency testing, and English as a second language classes for low-income adults; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Family Services of the Merrimack Valley to provide English as a second language classes, college preparation, high school equivalency testing, and citizenship classes for low-income adults

And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$29,093,517” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $29,318,517;

And further move to amend said section 2, by striking out item 7061-0011 and inserting in place thereof the following item:-

7061-0011 For a reserve to: (i) provide relief to school districts whose section 3 aid has been negatively impacted by a change in the low-income calculation of their foundation budget as defined by said section 3; provided, that eligible districts shall be those whose said section 3 aid would be greater as calculated under the guidelines of section 3 of chapter 46 of the acts of 2015; provided further, that the distribution of funds shall be determined by the department on a basis that addresses this shortfall; provided further, that funds distributed from this item shall be considered prior year aid for fiscal year 2018; and (ii) to provide no less than 250,000 for extraordinary relief as specified under clause (iii) in item 7061-0011 of chapter 46 of the acts of 2015; provided further, that funds distributed from this item for the purposes of clause (i) shall be considered prior year aid for fiscal year 2018; and provided further, that the department shall make not less than 80 percent of the funds available for awards on or before October 15, 2016……….$10,000,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, by inserting after item 7061-0029 the following item:-

7061-0033 For a reserve to assist towns negatively impacted by shortfalls in federal impact aid for the education of children in families employed by the federal government on the military reservation known as Hanscom Air Force Base located within the town’s limits (“Hanscom Towns”); provided, that any grants provided under this item shall be expended by a school committee without further appropriation; provided further, that funds may be expended on membership dues for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children; provided further, that Hanscom Towns may apply for funding in excess of this initial appropriation if funds under this item are increased and a Hanscom Town demonstrates that it would otherwise qualify for an amount greater than the initial funding of this item when compared with all other accepted applications using the same formula applied for in item 7061-0033 in section 2 of chapter 139 of the acts of 2012; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be made available to the town of Lincoln to mitigate the costs of educating the children of retired-military families…….................$500,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7061-9611, by inserting after the words “summer months” the following words:- ; provided further that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to the Yes We Care/Torch Training program; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Youth Court programs of New Bedford and Fall River to support juvenile diversion programs based on the principles of peer-lead restorative justice; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Department of Community Services in the City of New Bedford to establish an after-school STEAM Design Academy for Girls pilot program; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Bird Street Community Center in Boston; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Recreation Worcester program;

And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$1,500,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $2,295,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7061-9612, by inserting after the words “self-assessment tool” the following words:- ; provided further, that funds may be expended by the department on a full-time staff member devoted to carrying out the responsibilities outlined in subsection (f ) of section 1P of chapter 69, statewide and regional conferences, expert technological assistance in upgrading the online self-assessment tool’s interface, navigation, accessibility, and other related factors of usability, and grant program evaluation; provided further, that any unexpended funds in this item shall not revert but shall be made available for the purpose of this item until June 30, 2018;

And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$200,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $400,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7061-9626, by striking out the figure “$2,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $2,200,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7061-9634, by striking out the figure “$400,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $500,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, by inserting after item 7061-9634 the following item:-

7061-9810 For regional bonus aid under subsection (g) of section 16D of chapter 71 of the General Laws.........................................................................................................$110,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7066-0019, by striking out the figure “$750,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $1,000,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, by inserting after item 7066-0019 the following item:-

7066-0020 For the nursing and allied health workforce development initiative, to develop and support strategies that increase the number of public higher education faculty members and students who participate in programs that support careers in fields related to nursing and allied health; provided, that the amount appropriated in this item shall be transferred to the Massachusetts Nursing and Allied Health Workforce Development Trust Fund established in section 33 of chapter 305 of the acts of 2008; and provided further, that funds shall be transferred to the fund according to an allotment schedule adopted by the executive office for administration and finance...........$200,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7066-0025, by striking out the figure “$2,750,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $3,250,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, by inserting after item 7066-0036 the following two items:-

7066-0040  For adult college transition services focused on low-income and entry-level workers; provided, that funds shall be awarded competitively by the board of higher education to adult basic education providers, including local education agencies, community-based organizations, community colleges and correctional facilities with recognized success in bridging academic gaps of underserved populations and resulting in college entrance, retention and completion; provided further, that program awardees shall report on attendees' successful transition to college and that the program shall deliver to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than February 15, 2016, an evaluation of the program and its impact on student achievement, particularly as it relates to closing achievement gaps; and provided further, that appropriated funds may be expended for programs or activities during summer months...........$250,000;

7066-1221  For the administration of the community college workforce grant advisory committee; provided, that funding shall be expended on the community college workforce training incentive grant program established in section 15F of chapter 15A of the General Laws…….................$750,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7070-0065, by inserting after the words “administration of the scholarship program” the following words:- ; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Washington Center-Massachusetts Initiative Academic Internship program;

And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$96,607,756” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $96,707,756;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7100-0200, by inserting after the words “management and maintenance” the following words:- provided further, that the University of Massachusetts shall expend funds for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Cranberry Station;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7100-0700, by striking out the figure “$550,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $750,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, by inserting after item 7100-0700 the following two items:-

7100-0900   For the University of Massachusetts Medical School to enhance economic development by supporting innovative programs of excellence in medical research, facilitating commercialization of research and attracting and retaining world-class research scientists, provided, that funding from this line item shall supplement and shall not supplant funding to the medical school from line item 7100-0200........................................................$2,000,000;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7115-0100, by adding the following words:- ; provided, that  not less than $35,000 shall be made available to develop a Military Center for Excellence on the campus of Westfield State University that will serve as a one-stop service center for military and veteran students and their families;

And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$26,825,492” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $26,860,492;

And further move to amend said section 2, in item 7503-0100, by adding the following words:- ; provided, that not less than $100,000 shall be made available for the operation of the Veteran Educational Services Center located at Bristol Community College;

And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$20,478,333” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $ 20,578,333;

And further move to amend said section 2, by striking out item 7515-0121 and inserting in place thereof the following item:-

7515-0121 For the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College; provided, that the college may expend an amount not to exceed $529,843 received from fees, rentals and facility expenses associated with the running and operation of national track meets, high school track meets, high school dual meets and other non-college related special athletic events; and provided further, that only expenses for event staff, contracted services, utilities, and other normal facility operating expenses associated with these events shall be funded from this item…………….$529,843;

And further move to amend the bill by inserting after section 6 the following section:-

SECTION 6D. Clause (c) of paragraph (39) of section 94 of chapter 71, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the fifth sentence.

And move to further amend the bill by inserting after section 22 the following section:-

SECTION 22A: Section 1 of chapter 254 of the acts of 2012 is hereby amended by striking out subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

(b) Council members shall be appointed for a term of 6 years.  The council shall meet 4 times annually.  After the first 6 years, the council shall evaluate the progress of its efforts and shall disband unless a majority of the members recognize a continuing need for the council to exist.

And move to further amend the bill by inserting after section 46 the following 4 sections:-

SECTION 46A: The Department of Higher Education is hereby authorized to establish suggested guidelines and protocols in accordance with 34 CFR 668.164(c)(2) to encourage and assist colleges and universities with the implementation of programs which reduce the cost of textbooks and other educational materials.

SECTION 46B: There shall be a special commission to investigate and make recommendations to improve efficiencies relative to transportation for homeless students in the commonwealth. The special commission shall consist of the following 11 members or their designees: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education, the house and senate chairs of the committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on housing, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, the commissioner of transitional assistance, and 3 members who shall be appointed as follows: 1 member appointed by the senate president who shall be a representative from an organization that services homeless families; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives who shall be a representative from a transportation company that services homeless students and; 1 member appointed by the governor who shall be a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association with knowledge of municipal finance.

SECTION 46C. There shall be a special commission to investigate and study services for low incidence students with disabilities and to identify opportunities for administrative efficiencies and cost savings by school districts. The commission shall have the following duties: (i) review available data concerning low incidence students with disabilities; (ii) consider current special education program and service delivery structures and placements for low incidence students and their costs; (iii) examine programs and services provided by non-educational agencies that support students with disabilities; (iv) identify needs and challenges in transitions from early intervention through post-secondary and adult service systems as well as student relocations from one district to another; (v) identify best practices for providing high quality and cost-effective services to low incidence students with disabilities and; (vi) determine the challenges and opportunities for ensuring coherent, appropriate and cost effective services for students across multiple agencies as they progress from early intervention services to pre-K-12 education and to postsecondary education and adult services, including, but not limited to examining the opportunity for funding to follow a child through the system.

The commission shall consist of the following 13 members or their designees: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education, who shall serve as co-chairs, the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, the commissioner of public health; the commissioner of developmental disabilities; the commissioner of mental health; a representative of the commission for the blind; a representative of the commission for the deaf and hard of hearing; and one person selected by each of the following organizations: the Massachusetts Administrators for Special Education, the Urban Superintendents Group, the Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives, the Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools, the Massachusetts Advocates for Children, the Federation for Children with Special Needs, Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Massachusetts Head Injury Foundation.

The commission shall file a report on the results of its investigation and study, and any recommendations relative thereto, with the office or the governor and with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate no later than 24 months after passage of this act.

SECTION 46D. There shall be established a commission for the purpose of investigating and studying college affordability.  The commission shall examine and make recommendations on the contributing factors to rising college costs at private colleges and universities, University of Massachusetts, state colleges, and community colleges. The commission shall review and investigate the following areas:  (i) employee expenditures; (ii) employee issued credit cards and expense accounts; (iii) vacation and sick time policies for management; (iv) salaries, bonuses, and stipends for management and professors; (v) professor class load; (vi) the number of management positions at each university and college and their descriptions; (vii) the cost and benefit of construction projects on campuses; (viii) endowments and annual profits; (ix) mandatory fees charged to students beyond the price of tuition charges, including technology and laboratory fees; (x) the affordability of college textbooks, including consideration of the costs and benefits of open source textbooks; and (xi) other areas the commission deems appropriate to review and study.

The commission shall consist of the following 21 members or their designees:  5 persons appointed by the governor, one of whom shall serve as the chair, one of whom shall have expertise in finance and investment, and three of whom shall be parents or guardians of current college students; 1 member of the senate to be appointed by the senate president; 1 member of the senate to be appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 member of the house to be appointed by the speaker; 1 member of the house to be appointed by the minority leader; a representative of the University of Massachusetts office of the president; a representative of the University of Massachusetts director of libraries;  two members of the Student Advisory Council; a representative from the Massachusetts Office of Financial Assistance; a representative from the office of the commissioner of higher education; a member of the board of higher education; a representative of the Massachusetts State College Association; a representative of the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office; a representative of Pioneer Institute; a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants; and a member of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts.

The commission shall convene within four weeks after the date of enactment and may hold public hearings in a manner to be determined by the chair. The commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations with the clerks of the house and senate by March 1, 2017.