Sen. Lewis Applauds Preliminary Report on Education Funding Reform

State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) applauded a recently released preliminary report from the Foundation Budget Review Commission on education funding reform.

The preliminary report focused on findings regarding health insurance and special education costs, according to a release from the Senator’s Office. The final report from the comission, which will dig into numerous other issues pertaining to education, is expected to be released in November.

“The Commission’s report validates what many of us have been saying for years: that health insurance and special education costs far exceed what is assumed in the Chapter 70 formula,” Sen. Lewis said in a release from his office. “As a result, the state has not been providing adequate Chapter 70 funds to meet the needs of our students and schools.”

The Foundation Budget Review Commission was established to review the Chapter 70 school finance law. According to the state senator’s office, updating the Chapter 70 school funding formula has been a priority for Lewis since beginning his tenure in the state legislature.

“The findings and recommendations of this blue ribbon Commission are a significant step forward in updating and reforming the Chapter 70 formula,” Sen. Lewis said in the release. “The goal should be to ensure adequate and equitable funding for all our schools, and I’m hopeful that this report will move us closer to reaching this goal.”

For more information or to read the entire preliminary report, the Chapter 70 Foundation Budget Review Commission preliminary report can be viewed online.