Help rural schools get what they need
At this time there are two pressing legislative priorities that require the support of lawmakers from across the state.
April 22nd-May 2nd email campaign
Help increase Rural Aid for the coming school year! Governor Healey recommended allocating the same amount of money for rural schools as last year then the House recommended cutting it in half. Our best hope for increased funding lies with the Senate.
Use our handy email template and list of email addresses to contact the leadership of the Senate Ways & Means Committee and urge them to fully fund Rural Aid at $60 million in Fiscal Year 2026. Personalizing your message increases its impact. Remain polite while communicating what your rural district most needs funding for.
SAMPLE EMAIL
Dear Chair Rodrigues and Vice Chair Comerford,
Thank you for your demonstrated past commitment to regional equity in education funding. I am writing today to urge you to appropriate $60 million for Rural Aid for schools in the FY26 budget, as was recommended by the legislature’s own Commission on the Fiscal Health of Rural School Districts in 2022.
Rural schools face the same legal and moral mandates as all other districts for providing a free and appropriate public education, but the lack of efficiencies of scale in small districts make it far more costly per student to meet learners’ basic needs. Many rural towns have already regionalized schools, closed buildings, cut costs, combined services, and raised property taxes through overrides simply to remain operational. Some rural communities’ tax rates are pushing up against the levy ceiling, meaning that they will soon have nowhere else to turn without critical assistance from the state.
[insert your own concerns and anecdotes before sending]
Rural Aid is not a bonus source of funding for rural districts; it is an emergency life vest keeping us afloat until Chapter 70 formulas can accurately reflect the unique and well-documented funding challenges of rural schools. Please show your continued commitment to regional equity by increasing the funding of Rural Aid to $60 million in FY6. Thank you for your consideration and service.
[Name]
[Relevant role if applicable: parent, teacher, local official, etc.]
[Town of residence]
