Amendment #514 to H3800

Increasing Equity for Economically Disadvantaged Students in the Chapter 70 Formula

Ms. Higgins of Leominster moves to amend the bill in Section 2 by striking line item 7061-0016 and inserting in place thereof the following:- 7061-0016. For (i) additional school aid to cities, towns, regional school districts, counties maintaining agricultural schools, independent vocational schools and independent agricultural and technical schools to be distributed under chapter 70 of the General Laws; provided that, not less than $116,000,000 shall be used for  the first year of implementation of the economically disadvantaged student rate increase in accordance with the recommendations of the 2015 Foundation Budget Review Commission; and (ii)  school districts serving high percentages of low-income students; provided that, not less than $10,500,000 shall be used for a reserve to ensure equitable identification of low-income eligibility standards and to provide transitional relief to local education agencies whose chapter 70 aid and tuition revenue has been significantly and negatively impacted by the change in low-income enrollment measurement; provided further, that funds shall be distributed by the department for the items in (ii) not later than September 1, 2019; and provided further, that funds distributed from the items in (ii) shall not be considered prior year chapter 70 aid and shall not be used in the calculation of the minimum required local contribution for fiscal year 2020………..…$126,500,000

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #514 to H3800

Increasing Equity for Economically Disadvantaged Students in the Chapter 70 Formula