A Comment Worth Re-reading

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A Comment Worth Re-reading

AHBMay 21, 2014 at 12:57 PM

The following article is from Denise Andrews' FB page:



HOUSE REVIVES EDUCATION BUDGET REVIEW COMMISSION


Through a budget amendment passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the Chapter 70 Foundation Budget Review Commission will be revived for the first time since 2001. The commission, designed to perform a systematic review of the state’s funding formula for education, will be tasked with thoroughly analyzing state education spending and determining whether current funding is adequate and used efficiently.



If also approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Patrick, the measure would bring together key legislators with representatives of associations of school committees, superintendents, teachers, parent-teacher organizations, and regional and vocational schools, to examine and make recommendations for legislation to improve the way in which school foundation budgets are calculated.



"When the state passed the Education Reform Act of 1993, the bill called for a complete review of how the foundation budget was calculated at least once every four years,” said Representative Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), who filed the amendment with the bipartisan support of 99 co-sponsors. “Unfortunately, this review has only been completed twice since then, most recently in 2001. The needs of our schools have changed dramatically in the 21 years since education reform was passed, with the adoption of new curriculum frameworks, increased need for special education and ELL programs, and changes in technology in the classroom. There is also a renewed focus on the importance of early education. This study will examine our current educational funding formula to ensure we are spending our dollars wisely.”



“Taking this action is critical to allow the Commonwealth to reevaluate the adequacy of education funding and aid provided to the different cities and towns across the state,” commented State Representative Denise Andrews (D-Orange). “The current model was put in place twenty years ago with the best intention to ensure equity across communities. Though, like any system, we need to circle back with renewed focus to be sure it continues to meet its intent. I have heard the concerns from many who work in our schools and those who balance budgets on the local level regarding the need to rebalance our education dollars so that students in less prosperous school districts have the same opportunities as those in more affluent ones. I was proud to co-sponsor this amendment and have long supported the underlying legislation to revive the foundation budget review commission. This commission will take a 360-degree view of the needs of students and school districts, incorporating the voices of regional schools, vocational schools, school committees, parent-teacher organizations, teachers, and administrators. Going forward, I will continue to engage to ensure we have well-qualified leadership and representation to give voice to the concerns of western Massachusetts and rural communities.”

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AHBMay 21, 2014 at 12:57 PM

continued...



“I am grateful that the House adopted this important amendment, which will ensure a systematic and comprehensive reevaluation of the foundation budget,” said Representative Alice Peisch, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “Such review will provide a critical opportunity to gain insight on whether the current formula meets the needs of all students throughout the Commonwealth, and will help us to identify ways to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources.”

The commission will include voting and advisory members, consisting of elected officials, education officials, and designees of several groups, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, and administrators of the Commonwealth’s technical and vocational schools. Before presenting its report, the Commission will be required to hold at least four public hearings around the state. 

The Commission will be required to present their findings in a report on or before June 30, 2015. In carrying out its mandate to review the best available data and reports, as well as taking testimony from the public, the commission would also examine at a number of factors seen as critical to improving education. Among the factors to be considered are class size; special education programs; preschool programs for 3 and 4 year olds; full-day kindergarten; additional resources necessary to assure education opportunity for low-income students; salaries necessary to attract and retain high quality professionals; extracurricular programs; remedial programs for students at-risk of failing to satisfy graduation requirements; and books, curriculum materials, lab and technology equipment.

“The Commission will consist of people with different perspectives, but the same goal – ensuring that every child in Massachusetts has access to a world-class education,” said Rep. Ehrlich. “Our state’s historic education reforms have cemented Massachusetts’ status as the nation’s leader in public education. This re-evaluation of our funding priorities will be designed to ensure that our schools remain global leaders as well.”

I hope Templeton officials from both town and school will give testimony to this review. This is a problem in many towns across the state, not unique to Templeton and not all "Julie's fault" as some prefer to frame it. The review of the formula has not been done since the implementation of state and federal mandates including STEM, SPED and Common Core which is where many of the unfunded mandates call for additional administrative costs. I just wish town and school would work in tandem to solve this issue instead of promoting the infighting to continue. To people like Huff and Puff: just because people question the school budget doesn't mean they're against the school or children. It’s fiscally responsible to evaluate all financial matters in great detail...something that hasn't been done in town in a long while. So, please stop the name calling. I applaud your passion for education. Just make sure your anger is directed in the right places. Or better yet, turn that anger into something more positive. Throwing money at the school system doesn't necessarily give your children a better quality education. It makes education companies that lobby the government for these mandates richer. I think all teachers would agree they'd rather spend their time teaching and engaging with students rather than testing students and filling out form after form.



Ashley