February 9, 2006
Important information regarding EDUCATION funding in Natick
The Natick Public Schools receives funding from the State through what is called Chapter 70 money. These funds are allocated by the Legislature through a funding formula, which was enacted in the early 1990’s and has not been revised or changed since that time. The formula is very complex and includes many variables, which has resulted in great inequities across districts with similar demographics. There has been a great deal of discussion over the last few years about changing and updating the formula, however that has not occurred.
As a result of these inequities, a group of citizens including members of the School Committee, Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen in Acton have proposed and are working on a plan which would require the State to provide a minimum level of funding for every child. This plan is known as the Acton Plan and calls for a minimum spending of $2,000 per child. Currently Natick receives ONLY $903 per student. The plan would hold harmless any community that receives Chapter 70 funding above that level.
Please send the attached letter to your legislators as well as to key leadership membership urging their support for this plan. E-mail addresses are included in the letter. Natick children will benefit greatly from a minimum level of spending by the State for education.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your continued support.
Diane Packer
Chair, Natick School Committee
SAMPLE LETTER
Date: February 2006
To: Your State Legislators and Key Leadership (See attached list)
Subject: Chapter 70 Minimum Funding Proposal
I am writing to urge you to adopt a minimum funding contribution to all school districts in Massachusetts in order to address the significant disparities in Chapter 70 funding. Minimum funding of $2,000 per student will help one-third of the cities and towns in the Commonwealth begin to address the structural deficit in school funding. The current formula is obsolete and has resulted in an inequitable distribution of funding to similar communities. It is our contention that without some meaningful and fairly assessed minimum level of funding, many communities in Massachusetts will find it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to continue to address this unsustainable burden of funding our schools through property tax increases.
Please acknowledge the financial burdens of many communities across the Commonwealth and help us to meet the high expectations we all have for every student. Please approve a minimum level of $2,000 Chapter 70 funding per student. It’s the right thing to do.
The situation in Natick:
The State provides $903 per student in Natick, well below the State average of $3,441.
Natick per pupil spending is $8,637 vs. the State average of $8,591. However, the amount the State funds is significantly below that.
Natick is ranked #303 of 329 communities in Massachusetts in Chapter 70 aid per student, well below many demographically similar communities.
Thank you.
Your Name
Address
Please contact these legislative leaders and your own Senator and Representative by phone, fax, email, or US mail.
Name |
Email |
Office |
Phone |
Fax |
Senate President Robert Travaglini |
|
Room 330 |
617-722-1500 |
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|
|
Room 356 |
617-722-2500 |
617-722-2313 |
Senator Robert Antonioni |
Senate Chair on Committee for Education |
Room 109-E |
617-722-1230 |
617-722-1130 |
Rep. Patricia Haddad |
House Chair on Committee for Education |
Room 473- G |
617-722-2070 |
617-722-2817 |
Sen. Therese Murray |
Chair of Senate Ways & Means |
Room 212 |
617-722-1330 |
617-722-1072 |
Rep. Robert DeLeo |
Chair of House Ways & Means |
Room 243 |
617-722-2990 |
617-626-0299 |
Rep. Marie St. Fleur |
Vice-Chair House Ways & Means |
Room 238 |
617-722-2380 |
n/a |
Your Senator and Representative |
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