Board of Ed for November: budget priorities

 There is a printed memo here which is NOT ONLINE which is annoying. 

Commissioner describe the budget process
"highly structured timeline"
he should have a nice little flowchart like some of us do when we explain this

Mohamed: should have received a memo last week outlining the priorities (then WHY WAS IT NOT POSTED??)
lion share is formula through Ch. 70

• literacy launch
• comprehensive support for high needs schools
• expanding college and career pathways
• building educator pipeline

also discussed 

1. high dosage tutoring
2. rural aid "reimbursement" (reimbursement?)
3. funding to offset federal grant losses (which haven't happened?)

I am confused

Bell: we have all our key funding from the federal government; the last would be contingent on federal action
okay, that makes more sense
"my point on the federal side is its very much a 'watch and be ready to react'"

where we are in SOA: state FY27 will be final year of implementation of increased rates that were called for in the law
priorities above continuation of current priorities

charged with studying "a topic within the chapter 70 formula"
In the process of doing the analysis
key component was going to public hearings
three of five so far
Virtual one today at four PM
Tomorrow: Apponequet Regional High School, Lakeville; 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
December 3: Newton North High; 4:30- 6:30 PM

Member Fisher: teacher tomorrow, and comprehensive support for high needs schools
asks about linking those two in some way
federal funds for repayment of loans; but only for students who graduated from state institutions, expand the talent base
Martinez: all work we do has an equity lens
"it's all interconnected...have to submit budget in individual lines...but will see it interconnected"

Stewart: running schools is hard work for them to be successful
how the U.S. administration is really challenging that in various ways
MA specific data on student mental health
formula-based or entitlement funding for student mental health support
haven't seen a dive on this issue in awhile
Tutwiler: want to be sure districts have the systems and structures in place for grants to have the impact they're intended to
not only source of funding, either
"not dismissing at all the concerns...but there are other funding streams that are having significant" impacts on mental health
Martinez: very disparate funding in local districts
some well above minimum "have started studying this with our funding team" (oh really?)
have raised local funding "and kudos to them" (...for being wealthy?)
really going deeper in understanding where the districts are
"some parts of the state there are a wealth of community resources and in others, there are not"
Stewart: it feels the need is universal
model forces districts to compete for limited funds
Smidy: some specific schools that are already at a disadvantage
rural schools study of $60M

Hills: have one other comment to make, and "it's a comment not a question"
needs outstrip funding
many billions spend on education by the state
items at the margin that are "incredibly high value-added"

roll call vote on priorities: unanimously passes