Acts Relative to Public Education

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Acts of 2007 Relative to Public Education

To:	Superintendents, Charter School Leaders and Interested Parties
From:	David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Date:	August 17, 2007

The 185th General Court enacted the following legislation affecting public education. These laws, which are listed in the order in which they were enacted, became law during the 2007 legislative year.

Supplemental Budget

Chapter 16 of the Acts of 2007, which was signed into law on February 22, 2007, adds a provision to line item 7061-9010 of section 2 of Chapter 139 of the Acts of 2006 allowing one-time payments to ensure that no charter school receives less funding in fiscal year 2007 than it would have received using the method of calculation in effect prior to July 1, 2006 provided that all reimbursements required are fully met.

The full text of the law is available at Chapter 16 of the Acts of 2007

FY 2008 Budget

Chapter 61 of the Acts of 2007, which was signed into law on July 12, 2007, makes appropriations for the fiscal year 2008. The total budget for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is $ 4.3 billion, an increase of $260.4 million or 6.4% above the FY2007 budget of $4.044 billion. The following are the major highlights.

Non-Discretionary State Aid:

Regional Transportation is increased by $2.8 million;
Chapter 70, Foundation Aid is increased by $220.1 million;
Foundation Reserve is increased by $1.0 million;
Circuit Breaker program are increased by $12.3 million.

Assessment and Accountability:

Office of EQA has been decreased by $456 thousand. Also, it appears that this function will be transferred along with any remaining funds sometime during FY2008 to a successor entity yet to be named;
Student Assessment (MCAS) is increased by $2.9 million;
Targeted Assistance is increased by $4.1 million;
Extended Learning Time Grants are increased by $6.5 million.

Educator Quality Enhancements:

Teacher Retention & Recruitment is increased by $181 thousand;
Teacher Content Training in Math and Science has been decreased by $1.1 million.

Categorical Grant Programs:

Metco is increased by $1.0 million;
Work Based Learning are increased by $475 thousand;
Kindergarten Development Grants are increased by $6.8 million;
The Early Intervention Tutorial Literacy Program is decreased by $133 thousand;
Adult Learning Centers is increased by $579 thousand;
The two School Breakfast Programs have merged into one;
The Pilot Concurrent Enrollment Program has been decreased by $425 thousand;
Matching Grants to Citizen Schools is increased by $175 thousand;
The After-School Grant Program is increased by $ 1.0 million;
W.P.I School of Excellence is increased by $500 thousand;
The YouthBuild Program is increased by $220 thousand.

DESE Administration:

The Department's main administration account is increased by $2.56 million (as a result of staff transfers from other state accounts); and
The two Technology line items funding District Data Reporting and DESE Technology Administration have merged into one line item.

The full text of the law is available at Chapter 61 of the Acts of 2007

Municipal Health Care

Chapter 67 of the Acts of 2007, which was signed into law and became effective on July 25, 2007, allows cities, towns, regional school districts, charter schools and education collaboratives to access affordable health insurance coverage through the Group Insurance Commission (G.I.C.). For more information visit the following websites:

The full text of the law is available at Chapter 16 of the Acts of 2007

Acts of 2007 Relative to Specific School Districts

Medford School District

Chapter 84 of the Acts of 2007, "An Act relative to the use of certain school building assistance program reimbursements to the city of Medford," was approved on August 6, 2007. The law authorizes the use of school building assistance reimbursements for repairs to the Medford High School roof to be available without restriction to the City of Medford in fiscal years 2007 and 2008. The city is required to restore any amounts appropriated under this act by fiscal year 2011, beginning in fiscal year 2009.

The full text of the law is available at Chapter 71 of the Acts of 2007

Provincetown Playground

Chapter 87 of the Acts of 2007, "An Act relative to certain playground land in the Town of Provincetown," was approved on August 8, 2007. The law authorizes the Town of Provincetown to transfer a certain parcel of land used for playground purposes from the board of selectmen to the school committee for playground purposes. If the land ceases to be used as a playground, the land reverts to the Provincetown board of selectmen for playground purposes.

The full text of the law is available at Chapter 87 of the Acts of 2007

Last Updated: August 27, 2007