The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
House Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Recommendations
The House Committee on Ways and Means (HWM) released its Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) Budget recommendations today. The FY14 budgetary spending recommendations across all of state government total $33.826 billion; a 3.88% increase from FY 2013 spending. The total state budget is substantially reduced from the package proposed by the Governor.
The HWM's FY14 total budget recommendation for the Department of $4.806 billion represents an increase of $104.3 million above the $4.702 billion FY13 budget - primarily reflecting an increase in Chapter 70 state aid. Several key Board priorities are not supported in the HWM budget recommendations. Among the highlights of the budget proposal are:
Continued Financial Support for Local Districts
HWM has recommended $4.281 billion for Chapter 70 state aid (7061-0008), representing an increase of $110 million over FY13. The HWM recommended increase is $116 million less that the Governor's recommendation. The HWM keeps districts at foundation and guarantees a $25 per pupil increase for every district.
HWM has recommended $235.5 million for Special Education Circuit Breaker (7061-0012) which is an increase of $5 million over the FY13 budget of $230.4 million.
FY14 funding for Regional School Transportation Costs (7035-0006) is receiving a $1 million increase over the FY13 budget of $44.5 million, restoring the 9C cut in FY13.
FY14 funding for Transportation Reimbursement for Homeless Children (7035-0005) is level funded at $6.05 million.
FY14 funding for Non-Resident Vocational Student Transportation (7035-0007) has been reduced by $100,000.
Assistance for District and School Turnaround
HWM does not support the Board's priority in this area and has basically level funded the Targeted Assistance to Schools and Districts (7061-9408) at the FY13 appropriation of $7.6 million.
The Office of School and District Accountability (7061-0029) is also level funded at $974,000.
Professional Development for English Language Learners Instruction
The HWM budget does not fully fund the Department's Year 2 need for the RETELL initiative (7072-1004). This funding level of $1.8 million will not allow the Department to fully continue our planned training and professional development work with educators of ELL students. In addition, the restriction to fund personnel has been added back to the line item.
In addition to the Board areas of priority, the HWM Committee included decreases/elimination in a number of additional Department accounts.
HWM has recommended the elimination of the Bay State Reading Institute (7010-0020), a reduction of $1.62 million in the Consolidated Literacy Program (7010-0033) and a $300,000 reduction in the Early Intervention Tutorial Literacy (7030-1005). Total funding cut to the 3 literacy line items is $2.3 million.
HWM decreases Adult Basic Education (7035-0002) by $1 million over the FY13 funding of $30.2 million.
The School to Work Connecting Activities (7027-0019) is funded at $1 million which is a decrease of $1.87 million over the FY13 budget of $3.12 million.
AP Math and Science Programs (7035-0035) has also been cut by $1 million over the FY13 budget of $2 million.
The Charter School Tuition Reimbursement account (7061-9010) is funded at $70,454,914, level funded at the FY13 appropriation and $9.8 million below the Governor's recommendation.
In addition, HWM has recommended the elimination of Alternative Education (7061-9614), P.D. for Mathematics (7061-9804), and Regional Bonus Aid (7061-9810).
Youthbuild is decreased by $1 million over the FY13 budget of $2 million.
HWM does not support the House 1 increase of $438,000 in the Teacher Certification Retained Revenue (7061-9601) to address the spike year in re-licensing.
HWM recommends a decrease of $250,000 in the Expanded Learning Time Grants (7061-9412) over the FY13 amount of $14.2 million.
HWM moves the funding for Concurrent Enrollment (7061-9600) to a new line item under the Executive Office of Education (7009-9600) and increased the funding from $475,000 in FY13 to $600,000 in FY14.
The balance of the Department's accounts is either level funded at current appropriation levels, have small increases included to cover traditional program maintenance costs, or have small decreases due to the impact of FY13 9C budget reductions.
The attached chart compares the HWM FY14 budget recommendations to projected FY13 spending and identifies any variances.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Attachment
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