MA Annual Budget Includes "state funding for universal free school meals, and nearly $6.6 billion for public schools"

Some highlights from the article:

"The proposed budget increases public school funding by more than $600 million compared to the previous fiscal year, and doubles the minimum state aid per student from $30 to $60."

"The 2024 budget also takes into account approximately $1 billion in projected revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment voters approved in 2022, also known as the so-called millionaires tax, 52% of which is allocated to fund education programs."

"Though federal dollars funded a universal K-12 free meals program during the pandemic, the legislature’s new budget proposal allocates $171.5 million in state funds to continue the program, and includes language that makes it permanent."

"The funding also expands access to in-state tuition to migrant students, regardless of their immigration status, provided that they have attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three years or earned their GED in the state. Massachusetts joins at least 23 other states in enacting similar laws, according to the National Immigration Law Center."

"The proposed budget includes $504.5 million for reimbursements to districts for the special education circuit breaker program, in which public school districts pay for some high needs special education students to go to specialized private schools if the school cannot meet the students’ needs. However, the budget amount would only reimburse districts up to 75 percent of those tuition costs, and some education advocates say they want to see schools reimbursed up to 90 percent."

Additional line items:

• $100 million for the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which doles out money for new schools and major renovations.
• $97.1 million to reimburse school districts for regional transportation costs.
• $17.5 million for Head Start grants.
• $5 million for early childhood mental health grants.