Schools

Brookline Education Leaders Implore State For Special Ed Funding

Representatives from multiple communities attended a recent BESE meeting.

Justin Brown emphasized the importance of special education funding.
Justin Brown emphasized the importance of special education funding. (Jenna Fisher/Patch)

BROOKLINE, MA — The town’s Educators Union President Justin Brown recently addressed the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education during the board’s monthly meeting to campaign for additional funding for the district, specifically for special education purposes.

Brown shared remarks that he prepared with the help of Somerville Educators Union President Dayshawn Simmons, in which he said the underfunding of special education has made the mental health crisis of students worse.

“The reality is that these issues — funding, staffing, student mental health — are interlinked and require immediate, systemic intervention,” he said. “We need significant investments in both the mental health support systems for students and the resources needed to ensure that educators are adequately prepared and protected. Prioritizing these issues now will help ensure safer classrooms, better educational outcomes and a more sustainable workforce in the long run.”

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