Area legislators, educators praise proposed education funding bill

Date: 9/25/2019

GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Will the Commonwealth finally see substantial reform in the way the state funds education? Education professionals and members of the Western Massachusetts legislative delegation expressed support for the proposed reforms in the latest legislation to address funding.

The Student Opportunity Act is now heading to the Senate for review and discussion. The proposed bill would, according to a joint statement released by the offices of the Senate President and House Speaker:

• Makes an unprecedented $1.5 billion investment in Massachusetts public education. Assuming inflation, over time the bill could provide an estimated $2.2 billion.

• Significantly helps school districts that serve high percentages of low-income students.

• Increases state investment in other vital education aid programs such as transportation, school buildings and special education to assist districts across the state.

• New investments are coupled with policy updates designed to monitor and measure progress, support effective approaches to closing opportunity gaps, and deliver results for all students.

Chicopee School Superintendent Richard Rege told Reminder Publishing, “On the whole I’m encouraged [by the bill.]” Rege added he was cautious as “the devil is in the details.” He said some of the funding details he has seen would greatly benefit Chicopee’s schools.

Chicopee has been challenged with funding issues and budgets gaps. Although Rege praised both the City Council and Mayor Richard Kos for their combined support of the schools, he said he would be happy when the bill is signed by Gov. Charlie Baker that would provide that community with additional support over the next seven years.   

According to a statement from state Rep. Joseph Wagner, “Among the upgrades to existing education policy, the legislation designates new areas of funding to improve student success rates, with a focus on leveling the academic playing field. It creates the 21st Century Education Trust Fund, which devotes flexible funds to schools pursuing new and innovative ways to educate their students. The legislation also requires that all districts develop publicly available plans for closing the opportunity gap in their schools. In turn, the Secretary of Education must collect and publish data on student preparedness in each district, denoting the post-graduate and workforce success rates for all high schools.”

Springfield School Superintendent Daniel Warwick said he was “ecstatic” about the legislation as Gateway Cities such as Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee and Westfield have been “chronically under-funded.”

Warwick was among the education officials who testified before the legislature four years ago in support of reform. He explained that Springfield has been, according to state estimates, under-funded by $90 million.

Warwick added it has taken “a while” to build statewide support for the legislation.

He said the Gateway Cities have conditions that affect school’s budgets: children in poverty and high rates of English Language Learners (ELL) and special education students. Warwick added that in Springfield 40 percent of the students are either ELL or special education students.

He said the proposed education bill has funding “targeted to being the Gateway Cities back up.”

State Sen. James Welch said in answer to the question from Reminder Publishing if $1.5 billion over next seven years is adequate, “Yes, the bill makes significant investments in school districts with high percentages of lower income students. It also increases money spent on school transportation, special education, and buildings across the state. I believe students in Chicopee, Springfield, and West Springfield will see great benefit.”

In answer to a question if this version of the education funding reform will make it to the governor’s desk and if it does it fall within the governor’s suggestions about reform, Welch said, “I believe so. This process was a very measured effort by both chambers that involved input from every district – city and town and implemented the recommendations of the foundation budget review commission fully. The bill contains provisions similar to what the governor included on foundation budget changes, including similar funding of employee and retiree health care costs, special education, and ESL changes, but the legislature went quite a bit further than the governor's bill, particularly with funding districts with lower income students.”

State Rep. Aaron Vega said, “We have a bill today that has been influenced by all the members of the House and addresses so many educational needs across the Commonwealth. I am thankful to Chairwoman Peisch and Chairman Jason Lewis for their hard work on this bill. I am also thankful to all the cosponsors of the Promise Act and to the Fund Our Future Advocates. This is a win for every student in all districts, but the work is not done. We have to shepherd this bill through the House and Senate and onto the governor’s desk for his signature. This bill released by the Joint Committee on Education addresses both statewide social equity and also district needs. It creates a positive path forward for public education in our Commonwealth. By addressing economically disadvantaged students, special education, transparency, health care costs, and more, this bill updates the Chapter 70 formal, embeds many of the aspects of the FBRC recommendations into law, and ensures a solid funding plan for all of our schools.”

State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez said, “I support this bill. We are letting our children know that we value their future, this type of investment in education provides more resources to low income students and will go a long way to address the education gap in communities like Springfield. We will continue to fight for the success of each child in Massachusetts regardless of what zip code they come from.”