Bill > H536

This bill establishes a new Municipal Education Fund to be administered by the commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with several key provisions aimed at supporting public school funding. The fund will be used to support school districts, particularly minimum aid communities, gateway cities, rural districts, and those serving high-needs student populations. The fund will be financed through constitutional revenue, gifts, grants, donations, and earned interest, and will not be subject to certain standard budget restrictions. The bill also modifies how local education contributions are calculated, introducing a sliding scale of capped percentages based on a municipality's combined effort yield, which determines how much a local government must contribute to school funding. Additionally, the bill creates a special legislative commission to comprehensively examine education funding distribution, with a diverse membership including legislative leaders, education officials, and representatives from various educational organizations. This commission is tasked with reviewing funding calculation methods and developing recommendations for more equitable school funding, with a required report to be submitted by December 31, 2025, including potential legislative proposals to improve educational funding and resource allocation.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H536