FY22 House Ways and Means Budget Update

FY22 House Ways and Means Budget released today, funds the Safe and Supportive Schools line item at $510,684!
FY22 House Ways and Means Budget released today, funds the Safe and Supportive Schools line item at $510,684!
The Conference Committee maintained critical funding for Safe and Supportive Schools in their FY 21 budget, allocating $510,684.00 to the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612). We are grateful to the lead sponsors Representative Ruth Balser and Senator Sal DiDomenico.
TLPI convened a legislative briefing where students from Massachusetts High Schools shared with legislators what they need from their schools in order to learn and do well. The students’ comments make a powerful argument for why we need to include their voice in education reform efforts.
MA DESE announces that the 2019-2020 (FY20) Safe and Supportive Schools Competitive Grant (FC335) is now posted. Please visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2020/335/ for more information.
The House Ways and Means budget was released this week and the line item for Safe and Supportive Schools includes $400,000. Representative Ruth Balser has filed a budget amendment for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) to increase funding to $500,000. This will restore funding to last year’s level. We are writing with an URGENT request to please email your MA Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor Representative Balser’s amendment!
MA DESE announces that the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Safe and Supportive Schools Grant Program (Fund Code 335), funded through the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612), is now accepting proposals for the 2018-19 school year. For more information, please see the FY19 fund code 335 RFP Page http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2019/335/
Senator Sal DiDomenico’s budget amendment (# 171) for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) was adopted by the MA Senate. The amendment increased the amount of funding for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item to $600,000, the same amount included in the House budget this year. This will allow more schools and districts to receive grants to create and implement Safe and Supportive Schools Action Plans. The amendment also incorporated important language changes that were included by the House and that would implement recommendations made by the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission, such as providing leadership summits to help support superintendents and principals to create safe and supportive schools.
Massachusetts’ Safe and Supportive Schools Commission releases its first annual report with recommendations to the Legislature and Governor.