Biz & Civic Leaders Sign Letter Asking That Any Deal on School Funding Include Measures that Lead to Better Outcomes
March 20, 2019Governor Urges Business and Civic Leaders to Advocate for Reforms to Accompany Increases in Education Funding
May 14, 2019
The 2020 House Budget puts down another marker in the debate about school funding reform. It does not differ considerably from the Governor’s budget on the key education funding issues, but it makes an initial investment towards anticipated changes to the foundation budget formula that determines each school district’s Chapter 70 aid. It increases Chapter 70 spending by $218 million, taking total Chapter 70 aid to $5.1 billion. The House proposal is $18 million more than was proposed in the Baker budget.
Of particular interest to MBAE, the House Budget contains a separate $16.5million line item designed to provide more money for low-income students. A portion of this fund will be allocated on a competitive basis to districts, creating a mechanism similar to the Innovation Fund that MBAE has championed since serving as a member of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. MBAE strongly supports the establishment of an Innovation Fund that empowers educators to implement their great ideas about how to close achievement gaps.
MBAE also supports several budget amendments that would heighten focus on preparing students for college and careers. Far too many students graduate unprepared to seize the excellent opportunities our knowledge-economy creates, threatening the state’s economic growth and exacerbating wealth and opportunity gaps.
It is essential that our education system become better aligned with the demands of our economy and create more deliberate pathways to economic success for our students, particularly those most at risk.
As such, we support the following amendments that accomplish these goals: Amendments #619 and 626, filed by Representative Kimberly Ferguson, would include early college and career pathways in the Foundation Budget for FY 20. Amendment #819, filed by Representative Alice Peisch, would increase the line item for School to Career Connecting Activities by $ $497,953.
MBAE will continue to advance these and other elements through the budget process and beyond.