Bill > H517

This bill aims to provide comprehensive support for rural and declining enrollment school districts in Massachusetts through several key provisions. It establishes two new funds: the Rural Schools Aid Fund and the Declining Enrollment Fund, each providing $60 million annually to support school districts with low student density and significant enrollment declines. The bill defines a "rural school district" as having 35 or fewer students per square mile and a per capita income below the state average. It creates an Office of Shared Services to assist districts in forming regional school districts and superintendent unions, and offers financial incentives for regionalization, including grants for planning and implementation, transitional cost support, and aid to cover temporary administrative positions. Additionally, the bill introduces a special education financing legislative commission to review and recommend improvements to the state's special education funding system, and includes provisions to support special education teacher development, transportation reimbursement for rural and non-resident students, and increased state aid for regional school district facility projects. The legislation also mandates that at least three members of the state board of education reside in western Massachusetts counties, ensuring rural representation in educational policy-making.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H517