BUCKLAND — Gov. Charlie Baker has signed special legislation into law that adds preschool into the regional agreements for both Mohawk, a K-through-12 district, and Hawlemont, an elementary school district.
The law goes into effect immediately, and it ratifies the votes taken this spring by Mohawk’s eight member towns.
“I applaud Gov. Baker for signing this bill into law so quickly,” said state Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington. “This law remedies discrepancies with state statutes and recognizes the district’s ability to officially teach Pre-K through Grade 12, as well as approves the district’s ability to resolve budgetary matters, keeping the decision-making at the local level,” he said.
It says Mohawk will continue to vote on and approve its annual budget through a “unit method,” in which the six pre-K through Grade 12 member towns’ annual town meeting approval get votes worth two units, while secondary member towns (Hawley and Charlemont) get one unit for their Mohawk budget votes. The district needs at least two-thirds of the total 14 units for a budget to be adopted.
Kulik, Sen. Adam G. Hinds, D-Pittsfield, and Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, were the bill’s sponsors.