Public Hearing - Massachusetts Foundation Budget Review

Massachusetts Foundation Budget Review Commission

Public Hearing Notice

The Foundation Budget Review Commission will hold a public hearing on Saturday, February 28^thfrom 11:00–1:00 in the Auditorium of the Florence Sawyer School in Bolton.

Pursuant to Section 124 of Chapter 165 of the Acts of 2014, the commission’s purpose is to review the way foundation budgets are calculated and to make recommendations for potential changes in those calculations as the commission deems appropriate. The foundation budget, established in section 3 of chapter 70 of the General Laws, defines the minimum level of school spending necessary to provide an adequate education to students. Foundation budgets are established annually for each school district and reflect the specific grades, programs, and demographic characteristics of its students.

The commission has scheduled this public hearing for the purpose of soliciting testimony from members of the public on the following specific areas that the commission is charged with reviewing:

• The educational programs and services necessary to achieve the Commonwealth’s educational goals and to prepare students to achieve passing scores on the state assessment system;
• The components and assumptions used in the calculation of foundation budgets;
• Measures to ensure that resources are effectively utilized; and
• Models of efficient and effective resource allocation.

Due to the limited time frame of the hearing and the number of people providing oral testimony, the length of such testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person.

If you require special accommodations or have any questions regarding the hearing, please contact Jennie Williamson, Research Director of the Education Committee, at 617-722-2070. Written comments and testimony will also be accepted after the hearing, and may be submitted to Jennie Williamson by e-mail atJennie.Williamson@mahouse.gov.