Implementation of the Foundation Budget Review Commission Recommendations

Please join MASC Divisions IV, V, VI, VIII, IX and the Minority Caucus for a discussion with legislators as we work to get the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission implemented. This is open to all School Committee Members, Superintendents, School Business Managers, Mayors, and other elected and appointed officials.

Speakers:

• Jacob Oliveira, Moderator, Ludlow School Committee
• Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose, Amherst
• Rep. Aaron Vega, Holyoke
• Rep. John Velis, Westfield
• Joel McAuliffe, District Director for Senator Eric Lesser
• Tracy Novick, MASC Field Director

Although many of us have listened to the rationale before, now is the time, to take deliberate action. The FBRC report is definitive on the point that local taxpayers are carrying a disproportionate share of the cost of educating children in Massachusetts. Local officials can testify to the ways that is fracturing their ability to provide the essential services that all residents depend upon. State officials can demonstrate how deliberate tax cuts, along with the growth of their Medicaid responsibilities, leave them with difficult budget decisions. Yet the fact remains, the funding of an excellent public education system needs to remain a vital priority in every city and town across Massachusetts and the local taxpayers need help. As the 190th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prepares to meet, we believe there needs to be a plan to address this priority.

We urge representatives from each city/town to begin this dialogue locally and to communicate your concerns to your State Representative and Senator. Then, attend the February 16th meeting as a team or as their representative, contributing to the discussion and learning from the positions of others. Last spring, as elected and appointed officials, hundreds of us, from Boards of Selectmen, City Councils, School Committees and Finance Committees, urged the legislator and the Governor for Full Funding of the Foundation Budget Review Commission's Recommendations because we know that this is the single largest source of Local Aid and critical to our ability to provide local services. Now, we need you to join us as we plan our next steps. All interested parties are invited to participate.

Date: Thursday, February 16, 2017

Time: 5:00pm: Check-in (hors d’oeuvres and cash bar available); 5:30pm - 7:00pm: Program
Location: The Delaney House, 1 Country Club Road, Holyoke, MA 01040 (directions)