Around New England

Massachusetts Ups Public Schools Ante By $1.5 Billion

November 26, 2019

The Massachusetts state government plans to spend an additional $1.5 billion on public schools over the next seven years.

The bill, which Governor Charlie Baker signed Tuesday, November 26, is designed to reduce disparities among rich and poor communities in the state when it comes to public education spending.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 63 years, it’s that talent is evenly distributed. What’s not evenly distributed is opportunity, and there’s a reason why this is the Student Opportunity Act,” said Baker, a Republican, during a bill-signing ceremony in Jamaica Plain on Tuesday, November 26, according to State House News Service. “This legislation is about making sure every kid in the commonwealth of Mass., regardless of where they live or where they’re from or where they go to school, has the opportunity to get the education they need to be great.”