On May 10th, the Senate unveiled a plan to reform Chapter 70, the mechanism by which the state provides funding for public schools. Based on the legislation, Merrimack Valley public schools will see a significant increase in funding compared to previous years. More importantly, the Senate’s comprehensive package will phase in major additional funding over the next five years by simplifying the formula, increasing its transparency, rectifying inequities between comparable municipalities, and reducing an overemphasis on property values that is detrimental to suburban communities. While other proposals for education funding in 2007 have increased aid to cities and towns, only the Senate’s boosts spending as a first step in a series of reform measures that will guarantee expanded aid in coming years.
