Officials from the Western Massachusetts towns of Charlemont and Hawley sent Gov. Maura Healey a letter pushing for an extra $60 million in funding for rural districts and schools with declining enrollment.
“Now is the time to act. The state has considerable existing resources, as well as expected revenues from the ‘Fair Share Amendment.’ Our small towns do not,” Hawlemont School Committee Chair Kenneth Bertsch wrote, referring to a new state tax on high-earners. “We have economized and provided strong, local support for our schools, but we need more help.”
The request would increase spending for rural schools from $4 million currently to $60 million. Healey is expected to unveil her first annual budget proposal as governor next week.
The Mohawk Trail Regional School District covers 250 square miles, and lost 40% of its enrollment between 2000 and 2018. Mohawk Trail School Committee Chair Martha Thurber said the state's funding formula, which is based on the number of students enrolled in a district, does not reflect the fixed costs to heat, electrify and maintain its school buidings despite having fewer students.
“We have cut, scraped and consolidated. We've closed schools, but we are still in deep financial distress,” Thurber said. "We are saying it's time to actually do something and fund this appropriately.”
A similar problem has plagued the Boston Public Schools, the state's most populous school district. As enrollment has declined in recent years, the city of Boston has had to allocate tens of millions annually to help the district cover the shortfall and keep schools with empty seats in operation.
Bertsch said he wants to see state legislators work to ensure that rural districts get the help they need from state coffers.
“The reason we sent this letter right now is that the governor is finalizing her budget,” he said. “It’s the time for them to voice their opinion.”
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