Overview
- The proposal would send $100 million to local school districts and allocate funds by projected enrollment, equal to about $112 per student.
- Healey says the money would come from revenue from the voter-approved Millionaires Tax, which the state constitution bars from being spent on anything other than education and transportation.
- The supplemental appropriation must be approved by the state Legislature before funds can be distributed and the governor urged lawmakers to move quickly so districts can use the money before the school year starts.
- The announcement follows a state budget that already boosted Chapter 70 school aid by roughly $300 million, but many districts still faced layoffs, closures, and local budget stress during a tight budget season.
- Analysts estimate the $100 million could add several million dollars to large districts’ budgets—Boston Public Schools might gain about $5 million, which could save roughly 50 jobs—and districts will decide how to use the one-time funds to retain staff or meet new mandates.