Board of Ed for April: the BUDGET

update here; plus a spreadsheet

Bell; actively engaged in state budget process for FY26
House currently debating House budget
no significant amendments so far in debate
changes from Governor's budget; second step of three or four step process
about $425M over this year's spending; obviously big driver is state education
sixth year of Student Opportunity Act change
minimum per pupil aid is proposed at $150/student; costs about $76M in $7+B proposal
circuit breaker would be fully funded by House, instructional and transportation
significant investment in transportation: about 95% regional transportation
fund non-resident regional transportation as well
support universal free meals; paying close attention to free meals
potential changes in federal changes to child nutrition changes; federal reimbursement rates would impact across the change
"but that's a statement you could make across the state" on changes of the state budget
slightly different appropriation level on Literacy Launch
adult learners: House not quite as strong

Federal budget: working with federal FY25: approved for spending through September through continuing resolution
waiting, based on that, on grant awards for upcoming year
"not expecting any significant reduction" just awaiting award letters
if any reductions would be in finalizing FY26, which would begin in October, which would impact FY27 at state and local level
had shut off access to ESSER: still had about $160M in about 20 school districts plus two non-public schools
state has joined multi-state litigation on that
state has made commitment to those districts, state has been making those claims; state just cannot then draw down reimbursement from federal government 

Moriarty: was supposed $150M for Literacy Launch
"word has just got to get to Legislature that we're in a literacy crisis and we cannot solve it on the cheap"
Tutwiler notes full support for high dosage tutoring

holding May 19 evening for a special meeting
May 20 meeting in Methuen (1 Ranger Road in Methuen)