Mass. Association of School Committees hosts budget meeting

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and public schools superintendent Dr. Portia Bonner hosted a school funding presentation on Wednesday evening.

The presentation was led by Tracy Novick, School Finance Field Director at the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.

During Wednesday’s presentation, Novick addressed challenges posed by the budget deficit.

She also discussed various factors influencing Chapter 70 state funding.

“We’re seeing transportation costs go up by double digits, we’re seeing special education costs going up by double digits, trying to make sure contracts are done in a way that’s fair and the inflation rate that the foundation budget is based on is 1.35 percent, which is not near anything school committee is seeing for their school budgets,” Novick said.

Novick said the goal of Wednesday’s presentation was to inform residents on how the state’s budget actually works.