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Bill

H 513

An Act requiring equitable funding for non-regional school districts with high transportation costs

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger and 5 co-sponsors

H.513 adjusts Massachusetts school funding formulas to compensate non-regional districts with elevated transportation costs, improving equity between districts with different geographic challenges.

Hearing scheduled for 06/03/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2
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Bill Summary · H 513

Legislative bill overview

H.513 seeks to adjust school funding formulas in Massachusetts to account for transportation costs borne by non-regional school districts. The bill aims to ensure that districts with geographically dispersed populations or limited economies of scale in busing receive equitable state education funding. Currently, these districts may face disproportionate transportation expenses that reduce resources available for classroom instruction.

Why is this important

Transportation costs can consume 8-15% of a district's budget, and non-regional districts often cannot achieve the cost efficiencies of larger regional systems. This funding gap can force difficult choices between bus routes and educational programs, directly affecting student access to services and educational quality. The bill addresses a structural inequity in how Massachusetts distributes education aid.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Adjusting the funding formula may require increased state education appropriations or reallocation from other districts, creating winners and losers in the system
  • Definition and measurement: Determining which districts qualify as "non-regional" and how to quantify "high transportation costs" requires precise criteria that may be contested
  • Implementation complexity: Changing funding formulas requires coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and may have unintended consequences for municipal budgets relying on current allocations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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