MEMBER SIGN IN
Not a member? Become one today!
         iBerkshires     Berkshire Chamber     MCLA     City Statistics    
Search
Baker's $38B Budget for 2016 Raises School, City Aid
Staff Reports,
10:03PM / Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Print | Email  

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Gov. Charlie Baker unveiled his first state budget on Wednesday, a $38 billion spending plan that give municipalities and schools more money while addressing a $768 million budget deficit.

Unrestricted local aid is being increased by 3.6 percent to $980 million; Chapter 70 education aid is being increased by $105.3 million, including giving school districts $20 for each child.

"Our budget today sets the stage for a competitive and stable economic environment by making investments essential to future growth," Baker said in a statement. "By right-sizing the budget now and investing in transportation, education and our communities, we are making Massachusetts a better place to live, work and raise our families.

"This budget will allow our economy to grow, strengthen our schools, and build healthy communities across the commonwealth."

Most Berkshire communities will see a bump in their total aid of at least a few thousand. Pittsfield, not surprisingly, will see the most gain at $576,960; the smallest, Sandisfield with $411. North Adams and Adams, the two other largest communities, will see bumps of $84,821 and $31,654, respectively. Clarksburg is up $51,000 and Lenox $159,000.

A number of towns are seeing their total aid drop: Otis is down $17,000, Windsor $4,480.

"The cherry sheets are out and it looks like we have done OK with state aid," Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco told the Selectmen on Wednesday. "The schools look like they have taken a hit but I have only taken a quick look at it and it doesn't look devastating."

Indeed, the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District is down $29,000 from this year. Adams-Cheshire is be paying more in tuition for sending children to outside schools and the charter school, while being up only slightly in school choice and other receipts.

All of the regional districts saw their receipts drop with the exception of Mount Greylock Regional School District, which is up $53,627. Mount Greylock has seen a significant drop in tuition for students out of district.

More on the governor's budget can be found here. Below are the cherry sheets (state aid and charges) for Berkshire municipalities and regional school districts. They also can be viewed here.
 

0Comments
More Featured Stories
NorthAdams.com is owned and operated by: Boxcar Media 102 Main Sreet, North Adams, MA 01247 -- T. 413-663-3384
© 2011 Boxcar Media LLC - All rights reserved