MR. VERGA of GLOUCESTER, KEENAN of SALEM, LINSKY of NATICK, L’ITALIEN of ANDOVER, GRANT of BEVERLY, CASEY of WINCHESTER, ELDRIDGE of ACTON, LANTIGUA of LAWRENCE, HILL of IPSWICH, EHRLICH of MARBLEHEAD, HALL of WESTFORD, JONES of NORTH READING, CANESSA of NEW BEDFORD, ATKINS of CONCORD, MCCARTHY of EAST BRIDGEWATER, GUYER of DALTON, O’DAY of WEST BOYLSTON, KUJAWSKI of WEBSTER, QUINN of DARTMOUTH, PEAKE of PROVINCETOWN, SMOLA of PALMER, TIMILTY of MILTON, FRESOLO of WORCESTER and DINATALE of FITCHBURG  move that the bill be amended by inserting after Section 69, the following section:

SECTION 69A. There is hereby established a Chapter 70 Education Reform commission to study and review the current manner in which the Commonwealth funds public school education, including, but not limited to, a study and review of the following;

the way foundation budgets are calculated;

whether such calculations may be simplified;

whether such calculations provide an adequate and equitable education to all the children of the Commonwealth;

the manner in which charter schools are funded;

whether there are alternative, dependable sources to fund public education other than the property tax; and

the annual percentage for special education costs included in such formula.

SECTION 69B. The Chapter 70 Education Reform commission shall make both specific and general recommendations to the general court regarding such changes in the formula and education funding laws as may be appropriate, as well as recommendations to ensure that state and local spending, resources, and higher education goals and standards are linked to provide an adequate and equitable education for all children in the Commonwealth. 

SECTION 69C.  The commission shall consist of 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be the president of the senate or her designee, 1 of whom shall be the minority leader of the senate or his designee, and 1 of whom shall be the chairman of the joint committee on education who shall serve as co-chairperson or his designee, 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be the speaker of the house of representatives or his designee, 1 of whom shall be the minority leader of the house or his designee, and 1 of whom shall be the chairwoman of the joint committee on education who shall serve as co-chairperson or her designee, the governor or his designee, the secretary of administration and finance or her designee, the commissioner of education or his designee, and 5 persons to be appointed by the Governor whom shall be members of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. 

All appointments shall be made on or before 30 days of the effective date of this act.  Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. The chairpersons shall meet with the commission on or before 60 days of the effective date of this amendment. 

SECTION 69D. The Chapter 70 Education Reform commission shall conduct no fewer than four public hearings to receive testimony from members of the public.  The hearings shall be held in locations that provide opportunities for residents from all geographic regions of the Commonwealth to testify. 

SECTION 69E. Said commission shall report to the general court the result of its investigation and study, and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerk of the house of representatives who shall forward the same to the joint committee on education no later than twelve months after the initial meeting of the commission.