The
Student Opportunity Act was released by the Education Committee on Sept. 19.
This legislation looks to implement the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission, and would add $1.5 billion in new funding to the
public school system over a seven-year time frame.
The
Senate engrossed its version of the bill on Oct. 3 and the House engrossed its
on Oct. 23.
“I
am honored to be appointed to the conference committee on this historic piece
of legislation and thank the House Minority Leader for this opportunity. To me,
this bill represents a road map and a true commitment to our future. Not a week
went by that this critical legislation didn’t work its way into conversations
with my constituents, various representatives from our schools, and various
stakeholders. I continue to be proud that here in the commonwealth we have a
strong, bipartisan commitment to education, and the bottom line is that we
won’t stop pushing for high academic standards, achievement, and success for
all of our children, and the funding to support just that” said Ferguson.
“As
a member of the Foundation Budget Review Commission whose 2015 report provided
the impetus to revisit the state’s education funding formula, Representative
Ferguson understands the key issues that need to be addressed to help eliminate
disparities between school districts,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H.
Jones Jr., R-North Reading. “I have no doubt that she will take an active role
on the conference committee by advocating for meaningful reforms and
accountability measures to ensure that all Massachusetts students have access
to a quality education.”
Ferguson
joins her House colleagues Rep. Alice Peisch, chairwoman of the Education Committee,
and Rep. Paul Tucker of Salem.
Senators
Jason Lewis, Michael Rodrigues, and Patrick O’Connor are the Senate conferees.
The six-member conference committee could begin meeting as early as this week.
