The Governor takes an early Halloween

Word got out late yesterday that the Governor had leaked numbers prepared by DESE for the Joint Committee in their deliberation of what has been released as the Student Opportunity Act.
This was, of course, an attempt to derail the bill.
I took up in this thread from last night why it is that this is a concern; it boils down to two things:

• The DESE doesn't--couldn't, in fact, as it didn't even get submitted to the Department until yesterday!--actual local spending data. Thus all that is reported is local costs going up, without a reflection of what local costs currently are. Grafton, cited by the Globe this morning, is a perfect example of this, where their local required spending is projected to increase to...less than they current spend (check page 33).
• The projections can only be so good. Next year's, DESE themselves warned, should not be used for budget planning. For one, they're using a zero enrollment change model, which works for the state, but it doesn't work for individual districts (rare is the district that isn't either growing or shrinking). We don't yet know what low income looks like (DESE would have built some sort of model, but we don't know what). And this also doesn't include all of the interations of the bill, which includes other BIG items, like out-of-district transportation costs.

I recommend reading the State House News report on this.
Also, do read Senator Chandler and Moore's op-ed today.

Liveblog coming as soon as I get over to the State House!

Worcester: can you make a quick call for kindergarten IAs, please?

The Massachusetts Senate FY16 budget was released today at noon. While I'll have more to come on this, there's one quick piece of advocacy Worcester parents and teachers could do that would help the Worcester Public Schools' FY16 budget.

The Massachusetts Senate budget, released today, funds the Quality Kindergarten grant at $1 million for the entire state. Last year, Worcester received $751,388, which paid for 21 instructional assistants in kindergartens across the city. That was with $18 million funding statewide.

We have in our current budget this same (level-funded) amount.

If you have seen the importance of IAs in kindergarten, please contact Senator Chandler and Senator Moore to ask that they work to amend this account (7030-1002).

Senator Chandler 617-722-1544
harriette.chandler@masenate.gov
Senator Moore 617-722-1485
Michael.moore@masenate.gov

And if this is important to you, and you're in another district, you can find your senator here! 
More to come on the Senate budget when I have a chance.

Open Meeting Law: co-sponsorship

Monfredo chairs this committee, Colorio and Foley the other members; Solicitor Moore is here to respond.
Monfredo: asks Moore if a blind copy of all agenda items be sent out on Wednesday to all members so members may then get back to the clerk if they wish to co-sponsor
Moore: that would comply. The essence of this from the Attorney General, who is the enforcing agent...any communication that involves a quorum of the committee that expresses an opinion...then it becomes a violation of the Open Meeting Law

TLSS liveblog: foreign travel

As the City Solicitor has made the quick trip up from City Hall for this meeting, the item on foreign travel is being take out of order. Publishing as we go...
David Moore notes that new regulations require CORI or CORI type checks on all drivers and others, plus extensive exploration around transportation. Training and planning around political issues, as in Egypt currently. "Formidable issues" is what he says.

Legislative letters for FY12

I'm just finishing up my letters to the Worcester delegation on the proposed FY12 budget. If you have any thoughts on the budget, I'd urge you to do the same.
If you don't know who represents you in Boston, you can look up your representative and senator here.
If you're in Worcester, the delegation is:

• Rep. John Mahoney, Room B2
• Rep. James O'Day, Room 254
• Rep. John Fresolo, Room 156
• Rep. Vincent Pedone, Room 20
• Rep. John Binienda, Room 166
• Senator Michael Moore, Room 518
• Senator Harriette Chandler, Room 312-D

In all cases, the rest of the address is:
The State House
Boston, MA 02133

And yes, of course you can also email and call. +

Legislative budget update

Senators Moore and Chandler are here with with an update on the FY11 state budget.
*note that this is the House budget; the Senate budget comes out in two weeks
concern with using rainy day funds as it will hit the bond rating
(the rainy day fund has about $700 million now)
running out of stimulus funding (so may need rainy day fund then)
Have increased ed funding by $300 million over the last three years
House budget is $1 billion less than the Governor
many of the losses of government employees have been in health and human services
loss in capital gains revenue of 75%

Worcester $191 million coming here
$176 million was last year, so it's an increase ($14.6 million more)

Senator Chandler mentions that it's very nostalgic (she left SC 16 years ago)
circuit breaker cut down to $139 million
Senate President Murray suggested that they might revisit local aid if they're better than expected (tax due date was extended to May)

Legislation:
bullying bill: includes all school facilities and functions, buses, and bus stops
must have intervention plans
professional development and age-appropriate instruction in effect for next school year
(free or low cost to district)
principal or designee must investigate immediately
dropout age extended to 18: still in committee
H.1347: dress code legislation
out of committee favorably, pending in House (and has been for awhile)
Ed Reform: adequency study required
has to be done by Dec. 2011 (get in touch to find out when hearings are)
Commissioner gave Spirit of Knowledge their charter today

Liveblogging School Committee: business subcommittee

Mr. Foley, speaking here of last night's hearing, "bringing great transparency" to the budget process, "given the uncertain nature" of the stimulus package.
compliments to Brian Allen: "more than 70 slides"
city of Worcester experienced some tremendous changes: "we are one city and one community...it impacts all of us...cuts on our side impact quality of life"

reminder of the joint meeting on Monday, jointly with the Education Subcommittee of the City Council

Foley now reviews the motions from last night: medicaid numbers, and how much will the grants costs, ELL teachers, special ed...

Senator Moore now is speaking on state aid: revenue projections were higher than what we're seeing, and local options aren't probably going to pass. Usually the Governor has the lowest budget; this year, the Legislature is cutting, as the new projections are coming in lower.

March was down $100 million from the projection...we could be looking at a $500 million shortfall for this year. We'll need to hit the rainy day fund again, and that will make it even lower. We're also looking at a big hole for next year.
Stimulus money is going to help cities and town, but the number for local aid could be lower by the time the money comes through. We don't want to give you a wrong number, he says.
The Mayor asks when we'll know. He says once the tax info for the year comes in. Mid to late April, he says.
What about the stimulus money, the Mayor asks; will we get it all? He says he doesn't know, as he doesn't know what the House will do.
The Mayor jokes that he shouldn't come back again.."your honesty is necessary as we plan this budget" She comments that we've already started amputating.
Senator Moore warns that we shouldn't add programs, as we will have money for only two years.