Bill > S2658

This bill aims to provide a sustainable future for rural schools in Massachusetts. It establishes an Office of Shared Services within the Department of Education to assist school districts in forming regional school districts and superintendent unions, and to analyze health insurance plans used by rural school districts to provide recommendations for cost reduction. The bill also provides priority for paraprofessionals seeking to become licensed special education teachers, and establishes a grant program to fund the study, planning, and implementation of school district regionalization efforts. Additionally, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is required to review special education regulations as they pertain to the needs of rural school districts.