Wong disappointed with Chapter 70 fund distribution

SAUGUS – State Rep. Donald Wong said he?s not happy that Saugus Schools will once again be shortchanged on state aid next year, after Gov. Deval Patrick?s released his budget for 2013.?I?m a little disappointed at the governor?s budget,” said Wong. “I know that there was more money that went into Chapter 70, but I wish it would have gone more to other towns and cities. I would prefer that everyone would get the 17.5 percent before we give more to other towns and cities.”Chapter 70 funding is the commonwealth?s total funding for kindergarten through grade 12 schools around Massachusetts. Schools are supposed to receive 17.5 percent of their foundation budget it Chapter 70 funds. A school?s foundation budget is the minimum cost to educate kids in a community.Patrick proposed $4.13 billion in Chapter 70 funds for 2013, up from $3.9 billion in 2012.Despite the increase, the budget still has Saugus receiving $3.8 million, which makes up around 15 percent of its $25.15 million foundation budget and is virtually the same as last year.?I?m very disheartened with how it came out,” said Wong. “But I?m also talking to experts on Chapter 70 and why it?s going this way and how we can fix it. Under Chapter 70, everyone is supposed to get 17.5 percent and it?s not happening. Some of the other towns and cities that are getting more than 17.5 are even getting more money added on.”Sam Rippin, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, said the shortfall amounts to about 10 extra teachers that could be hired.?There?s no additional Chapter 70 funding for FY?13,” said Rippin. “We?re about $500,000 shy of (17.5 percent. $500,000 would make a big impact, no question, especially considering what our budget request was. Just moving the existing staff forward is twice that. It puts considerable additional, and one could argue, unnecessary pressure on the town of Saugus to find the money within their own means.”Chapter 70 funds are calculated using a formula that takes into account variables like a district?s foundation budget, demographics, enrollment and average income.However, Rippin said the formula may be outdated, and skyrocketing health care and technology costs have made it harder to keep up.?There are towns that approach 90 percent of their foundation,” said Rippin. “Communities like Saugus get the short shrift and continue to get the short shrift unfortunately. There?s a whole business about the formula being way out of whack. It was set 20 years ago and hasn?t been adjusted since.According to Rippin, there are around 60 other communities that don?t receive their full 17.5 percent including Nahant, Wakefield, Stoneham, Burlington and North Andover.?There?s quite a disconnect statewide,” said Rippin. “It just hasn?t kept pace.”Wong said he?s been working with other state reps to look at ways to boost Chapter 70 funding for some towns, and because budget released last month is just a proposal, he noted there?s still reason to be hopeful.?That?s the governor?s budget, but it still has to be approved by the house and senate,” said Wong. “We have to sit down and look at how we can bring it to an agreement with both groups. We?re still negotiating and we?re still having meetings. Being on the Ways and Means Committee, we?re going to be traveling around Massachusetts to hear what other communities have to say. We?d like to have the residents give their opinions.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].