A legislative update
On February 26th, 2024, the Joint Committee on Education reported out favorably on a deeply altered version of “the rural schools bill” which removed the most essential elements including Rural Aid, the Declining Enrollment Fund, Regional Transportation, and the Special Education Finance Commission.
This bill in no way reflects the deep inequities and challenges faced by rural schools. Our advocates in the legislature are working to secure some short-term fixes like increases to FY25 Rural Aid and Regional Transportation. A long term plan is yet to form.
The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing on the H.3567/S.2388 An Act to provide a sustainable future for rural schools on Monday, October 30th, 2023. Click the button below to learn more.
ARCHIVES: About H.3567/S.2388: An Act to provide a sustainable future for rural schools
Rural schools cost more per pupil to operate than larger districts, face low and declining enrollment, are supported by small tax bases, and were largely left behind by the Student Opportunity Act. The rural schools bill would provide targeted support to these districts and offer other provisions to benefit all districts across the commonwealth. This website is dedicated to providing education about this bill and promoting its passage into Massachusetts law.
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“Over time, course offerings, student support services, and extracurricular activities have been substantially reduced in rural schools due to underfunding. In some cases, these reductions have driven students to seek alternatives... This compounded enrollment loss further reduces funding and a downward cycle of reduced enrollment, reduced funding, and diminished educational experience continues...”
— The Commission on the Fiscal Health of Rural School Districts
On July 20th, 2023, State Representative Natalie Blais and State Senator Jo Comerford co-hosted a legislative briefing. Click here to review the materials presented at the briefing.
“POVERTY does not choose an address. Poverty doesn’t choose urban or rural locations. Poverty exists in both. Special education needs exist in both urban and rural districts, and the extraordinary needs of our students must be addressed in every community in our Commonwealth. Because of the Student Opportunity Act, Taunton Public Schools has the resources needed meet its commitment of identifying student subgroups requiring focused support to ensure all students achieve at high levels in school and are successfully prepared for life… We know absolutely that these are the kinds of programs which break the cycle of poverty and economic disadvantage. Shouldn’t these be available to EVERY student regardless of zip code?”
-John Cabral, Superintendent, Taunton Public Schools
“Some say that fully funding Rural School Aid at $60 million is somehow giving rural schools an advantage. Schools like Gateway are currently facing tough decisions like choosing between critical staff positions or having a working intercom system. Rural schools aren’t asking for advantage, but instead for survival. What [this bill] will do, as it says right in its title, is help ensure a sustainable future for rural schools. As you have heard today, there are also benefits for every school within this legislation from transportation costs, regionalization, and financing of special education. When rural schools have a sustainable future, the entire Commonwealth does because students today are what will continue to make Massachusetts thrive tomorrow.”
-Joey Pisani, 12th grader, Gateway Regional High School