An Act creating a special commission to examine regional school education finance reform

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Mark

The act creates a 14-member commission to evaluate and propose standards for regional school funding, including apportionment methods and town participation options.

House concurred

Summary: An Act Creating a Special Commission to Examine Regional School Education Finance Reform (Senate Docket No. 1992)

Purpose and intent

This bill proposes establishing a temporary, independent commission to examine how regional school districts fund themselves and how apportionment between towns should be calculated. The aim is to assess and set standards for the default apportionment formula used in regional district agreements (as described in Section 14B of Chapter 71) and to determine whether apportionment standards should be based on the number of students or on total property values. It also asks the commission to consider whether every town should be required to have its own school district or participate in a regional district, and to propose legislative changes accordingly.

Key provisions

Establishment of a special commission, governed by section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws.

Tasks:

Assess and set standards for the default apportionment formula used in regional district agreements (Section 14B, Chapter 71).
Decide whether apportionment standards should rely on student population, property values, or a combination.
Recommend whether each town should maintain its own district or join a regional district.
Draft proposed legislation to implement the commission’s recommendations.

Deliverables: Findings, recommendations, and drafts of necessary legislation to the relevant clerks and committee chairs no later than December 1, 2026.

Commission composition

The 14-member commission would include:
- 2 co-chairs:
- 1 member appointed by the Senate President (co-chair)
- 1 member appointed by the Speaker of the House (co-chair)
- 2 members representing party leadership in the Senate and House (Senate minority and House minority leaders)
- Key state officials (or their designees):
- Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
- Commissioner of Revenue (DOR)
- Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F)
- Regional representation:
- 5 regional school superintendents appointed by the Governor
- Stakeholder/advocacy representation (one seat each):
- Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools
- Rural Policy Advisory Commission
- Massachusetts Municipal Association

Timeline and procedural status

Introduced: February 27, 2025

Legislative action: House concurred on February 27, 2025

Referred to: Committee on Education (same date)

Deadline for Commission report: December 1, 2026

Legal basis: Commission to be governed by section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition)

Potential impact and who is affected

Affects statewide governance of how regional school districts are funded and how towns participate in districting.

Could influence long-term decisions on whether towns maintain independent districts or join regional districts.

Involves state agencies (DESE, DOR, A&F) and key regional education stakeholders, shaping policy and potential legislative reform if supported by the Commission’s findings.