Dearest Legislators: on the charter reimbursement override

Dearest Legislators,

It has come to my attention that you plan to override Governor Healey's July veto of nearly $20M in charter school tuition reimbursement. As this represents millions of dollars to some of the most needy districts in the state¹, this is very helpful. Thank you!

Many of you are no doubt under the impression that this money goes, as is intended by state law, to the school districts themselves. This is, however, is the case only for regional school districts. For municipal school districts, because charter school tuition reimbursement isn't designated as going to schools "without additional appropriation," the money goes to the city or town general fund.

Cities and towns have long since passed their budgets. Unless someone takes additional action, these funds you intend for schools will not go to schools.

Were it possible for you to pass these funds with language so designating them, that would be most useful. 

If not, perhaps you could ensure that the Department of Revenue generates updated cherry sheets, and you could ensure the cities and towns in your districts are aware of where the money should go?

With very sincere thanks,

Someone who wants to ensure the Worcester Public Schools gets their $2M

¹As a reminder, here are all the amounts over $1M: