Thanks for reporting the good news that the Gill-Montague schools will be receiving significant additional funding from the state. This is happening because of the recently passed Student Opportunity Act, which will bring $2 billion a year in additional funding to our public schools. The primary beneficiaries will be low-income students, students of color and English learners who have historically been left behind.
More information about the law is at massteacher.org/current-initiatives/fund-our-future/student-opportunity-act
This did not happen just because legislators thought it would be a good idea. It came about because of a bold initiative on the part of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and backing from the broad Fund Our Future Coalition. Several years of organizing by thousands of educators and community allies led to this victory for our children.
The next big initiative is the Cherish Act, filed by local state Sen. Jo Comerford and State Rep. Paul Mark, which would provide a similarly needed infusion of $500 million to our community colleges and state universities. This is very badly needed so as to be able to reverse the 31% decline of state support since 2001 and the draconian increases in tuition and fees. More information at https://massteacher.org/current-initiatives/fund-our-future/higher-education.
Ferd Wulkan
Montague