Legislative Bulletin - S.2412 Education Reform Conference Committee Report

The legislature has sent to the governor’s desk the bill addressing changes to Chapter 70, the Foundation Budget revisions, and accountability measures incorporated in what the House and Senate approved. The bill, as forwarded, is subject to possible veto or request by the governor for additional changes. MASC General Counsel Stephen Finnegan has released a new Legislative Bulletin containing an overview and analysis of the revisions as well as the original bill, and the impact on Massachusetts school districts. A more formal update will be sent as developments occur.

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Legislative Bulletin: House Ways and Means FY2020 Budget

The House Committee on Ways and Means earlier this week released their FY20 proposed budget. The proposed House budget raises the Chapter 70 allocation by nearly $18M, changes the charter tuition reimbursement formula and distribution, as well as raising Unrestricted General Government Aid by almost $30M.

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Legislative Bulletin - Governor's FY2020 Budget Proposals

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker recently released his FY 2020 budget recommendations (House 1). House 1 proposes $42.7 billion in gross spending, an increase of 1.5% over FY 2019 projected spending. The Governor has also filed separate legislation that proposes a multi-year school finance reform initiative, which includes an overhaul of the school funding formula.

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Legal Alert - Legality of Certain School Committee Expenditures/Role of SRO's

MASC General Counsel Stephen Finnegan has released a new legal alert regarding:

• The legality of school committee expenditures to defray the expenses of a lawsuit to compel adequate funding for K-12 education
• The recently released Attorney General's Office, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and DESE model memorandum of understanding governing the role of School Resource Officers

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