Hopkinton To Receive More Than $9.6 Million In State Budget

HOPKINTON, MA - Hopkinton will receive more than $8.7 million in Chapter 70 funding for its public schools and about $910,000 in unrestricted general government aid as part of the state budget passed on Monday by the state legislature.

The state budget includes a 5.4 percent increase in aid for local governments, as well a 9 percent increase in Chapter 70 funding for public school districts over the budget for the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

Hopkinton's share includes $8,738,584 in Chapter 70 aid for the public schools and $909,976 in unrestricted general government aid.

School funding rose nearly 8.55% over the $8,050,421 allocation in the previous fiscal year, which ended June 30. Local aid grew 5.4% over the total of $863,355 last fiscal year.

The $52.7 billion package does not contain any broad-based tax hikes. Tax revenues are actually above previous estimates - leaving a surplus of around $3 billion from fiscal year 2022. The budget also includes $110 million to continue free, universal school meals for all school children in Massachusetts.

Money was earmarked for the following Hopkinton initiatives:

• $25,000 for the Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention program
• $25,000 for mental health, behavioral health and substance use prevention initiatives
• $30,000 to the Town of Hopkinton for costs related to the town’s efforts to be recognized as an age-friendly and dementia-friendly community
• $50,000 shall be expended to Project Just Because, Inc., which provides clothing, food and school supplies to those in need
• $40,000 for costs associated with educating students on the topics of implicit bias, equity and respect

Hopkinton also was included in $500,000 set aside for MetroWest region communities including Natick, Framingham, Ashland, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton and Medway to address mental health needs in schools.

Gov. Charlie Baker has 10 days to sign the budget into law.