Press Release  Governor Healey Boosts Schools Funding to Retain Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Mental Health Counselors

Boston — Governor Maura Healey today filed legislation to deliver $100 million to school districts across Massachusetts in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), providing immediate relief for communities facing significant budget pressures and helping schools avoid layoffs and harmful program cuts ahead of the new school year. 

The funding comes from projected, unbudgeted Fair Share surtax collections in FY27 and supplements the record levels of local aid included in the FY27 budget recently signed by Governor Healey. The one-time investment is intended to help retain teachers, paraprofessionals, mental health counselors and other school staff while preserving important educational programming in communities facing fiscal challenges. 

“We know that Massachusetts has the best schools in the nation, but there is always more to be done to ensure our students are getting an excellent education and to support our hardworking educators,” said Governor Healey. “We’re proud to have more than doubled school funding since taking office and significantly increased local aid for cities and towns. Now, we’re delivering an extra boost to local districts to help them navigate challenging budget years and retain the teachers, paraprofessionals, mental health counselors and programs that are so essential to our children’s success.” 

“Everywhere I travel, I am hearing from municipal and school leaders about rising costs and the pressure those are putting on their municipal budgets,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “School districts are being forced to consider layoffs, cutting extracurriculars or paring back student support services. These funds will not only help avoid some of those outcomes before the new school year starts but also give municipal leaders the time they need to prepare for how to fund education in their districts moving forward.” 

The supplemental budget would distribute the $100 million according to a formula based on FY27 enrollment, ensuring that every one of Massachusetts’ 319 operating school districts receives additional funding. That amounts to approximately $112 per student on top of the $160 million in minimum aid included in the FY27 budget as part of the final year of the Student Opportunity Act. 

“This additional funding to support our schools and our children is urgently needed and a responsible use of Fair Share dollars, which continue to be a stable, high-performing source of tax revenue designed to ensure our schools are providing the best education possible,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “We’ve heard consistently from our partners in municipal government about the fiscal constraints they are dealing with, and our administration is committed to finding ways to support cities and towns without resorting to higher taxes or fees for residents.” 

School districts would have the flexibility to use these one-time funds to meet local needs, including supporting evidence-based early literacy reading curriculum, instructional materials and practices and implementing the administration’s robust recommended high school graduation requirements. 

“As a former superintendent, I know there are no easy budget decisions when districts are balancing rising costs with the needs of students. This funding provides important flexibility to help districts manage immediate fiscal pressures while supporting classroom instruction, student services, early literacy implementation, key components of the State's recommended high school graduation requirements and other local priorities,”said Education Secretary Stephen Zrike. 

"This supplemental budget will mean a lot to school district leaders, who have been trying their best to maintain needed services while balancing their budgets," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. "This is a clear signal of the state's commitment to Massachusetts students." 

This investment builds on the record $7.66 billion in Chapter 70 aid to cities and towns from the FY27 budget and the $1.36 billion for unrestricted general government aid to municipalities, including $30 million in new funding distributed by population to better support small and rural communities. 

In addition to these core aid programs, the FY27 budget and Fair Share supplemental budget includes: 

• $806.6 million for Special Education Circuit Breaker reimbursement, a 19.5 percent increase over total funding in FY26. 
• $200.4 million for charter school reimbursement, a 1 percent increase of FY26 
• $180 million for universal free school meals  
• $150.8 million for school transportation reimbursement, a 7 percent increase over FY26  
• $16 million for rural school aid, a 33 percent increase over FY26  
• $6.4 million for mental health supports and wraparound services 
• $4 million for a new enrollment reserve to help communities with English learner populations 

The FY27 budget also reconvenes the Foundation Budget Review Commission to begin the process of evaluating how the state can best support public education through the school funding formula following the full implementation of the landmark Student Opportunity Act. 

Statements of Support  

Jessica Tang, President, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts: 

"Every dollar Massachusetts directs to student-facing supports and positions in our public schools will help protect our students from a federal administration that continues to recklessly eliminate services and cut funding our districts have relied on for over fifty years. Unfortunately, because of funding shortfalls, children will face larger classroom sizes, fewer resources and educators, and limited opportunities for services and enrichments this fall. Without significant intervention, our ability to provide all students with the quality public education they're guaranteed under the Massachusetts Constitution is in jeopardy. We appreciate Governor Healey and her commitment to investing in our communities and her willingness to take action to help alleviate some of the outstanding financial pressures our districts are facing. As champions of the Fair Share Amendment, we know that the investments called for today are critically important to our schools, our students, and our entire Commonwealth and are a great example of the state's commitment to uphold the will of voters and their overwhelming support for our public schools." 

Mary M. Bourque, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) 

 "The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) is deeply grateful to Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and the Administration for their continued partnership and unwavering commitment to supporting Massachusetts public education. This proposal to provide additional municipal funding to our K-12 schools demonstrates a clear understanding of the fiscal challenges facing communities and school districts across the Commonwealth. 

“School districts continue to face significant financial pressures, including rising special education costs, transportation expenses, inflation, and other structural budget challenges. Superintendents are working diligently to preserve the programs, staffing, and services that students and families rely upon despite these difficult realities. This investment will provide meaningful support to our school districts as they work to maintain high-quality educational opportunities for every student." 
 

Tim Nicolette, Executive Director, Massachusetts Charter Public School Association: 

“We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for continuing to invest in public education. Charter public schools and district public schools are facing many of the same rising costs and financial pressures, and this proposed funding would provide meaningful and timely resources as schools work to provide essential academic programs and meet student needs. Schools and students are experiencing real financial challenges today, and this additional investment would help meet immediate needs while the critical work of the next Foundation Budget Review Commission begins.” 

Erik Berg, President, Boston Teachers Union: 

"We appreciate Governor Healey taking necessary action to fund our schools and provide opportunities for all Massachusetts students, regardless of zip code. The Boston Public Schools will be eliminating 568 positions next year, and this funding would help restore some of the teachers and paraprofessionals that have been cut, ensuring more individualized attention for students and more support to create stronger outcomes in our classrooms. This is a great step in the right direction." 

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