By Senator Sal DiDomenico
Throughout the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities, residents have likely encountered discussions about severe budget shortfalls affecting their schools. The root cause stems from changes in how the state counts low-income students. For more than two years, this problem has persisted, prompting numerous inquiries from worried parents and constituents seeking to understand its origins and potential solutions.
Beginning in 2015, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) altered its methodology for calculating low-income or “economically disadvantaged” students. The count of economically disadvantaged students significantly influences the Chapter 70 formula, which dictates state funding allocations to school districts.
Under the previous system, parents completed forms to establish their child’s eligibility for free or reduced lunch, with DESE using this data to identify economically disadvantaged students. The new approach restricts this classification to students enrolled in social welfare programs such as SNAP and Medicaid. This Baker Administration methodology overlooks numerous low-income students by excluding those not participating in social services—often immigrants, homeless youth, or those simply not registered for such programs.
Consequently, communities most requiring state assistance face substantial funding shortfalls. My districts of Chelsea and Everett rank among the hardest-hit school systems, making this matter a central concern since the counting change was initially proposed over two years ago.
Upon learning of this situation, my office immediately engaged DESE in seeking resolution. Well before the Governor’s budget submission last year, I led legislative efforts toward compromise, ensuring all low-income students would be counted. I personally met with administration officials and organized a State House meeting with superintendents and DESE representatives to emphasize the severity. Despite repeated assurances, the Administration failed to deliver on its commitments, and DESE proceeded with the formula modification.
In response, leveraging my position as Vice Chair of Senate Ways & Means, I brought the Joint Committee on Ways & Means Education Hearing to Everett High School, where I confronted Administration officials about how their methodology was devastating financially vulnerable districts through substantial cuts and harming education for thousands of the Commonwealth’s most at-risk students. During the previous budget cycle, I secured supplemental funding to protect affected municipalities and negotiated a temporary solution permitting school districts to select their preferred low-income counting method.
This interim measure prevented immediate teacher dismissals and program eliminations while providing time for permanent solutions. Throughout the past year, I have remained committed to advocating for Everett, Chelsea, and all affected communities, pursuing long-term remedies benefiting every district. Yet DESE has not achieved a lasting resolution despite this extended period.
This year’s budget negotiations involved collaboration with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) and the Administration on another temporary remedy. A compromise emerged with M.A.S.S. and DESE support, allocating an additional $12.5 million to districts harmed by the formula change. While this mitigates some impact, it remains insufficient as a permanent fix. Both the State Senate and House of Representatives incorporated the $12.5 million in their budgets. I would be deeply troubled facing this situation again next fiscal year and urge DESE to implement a permanent solution addressing the problems their formula created.
The resolution appears straightforward to me: communities should determine their preferred low-income counting method—either the original self-reporting approach or the Administration’s new formula. This solution has driven my efforts from the outset, and I remain committed to pursuing it until schools receive adequate, sustainable funding.
I will not abandon this effort. Our educators excel at serving all students regardless of socioeconomic status or background, and the state must provide requisite funding for their continued success. As a father of two children in Everett Public Schools, I advocate not merely as a State Senator but as a concerned parent. This matter holds profound personal significance, and I want my constituents and city officials to understand that I recognize their concerns and work daily to secure the funding our schools rightfully deserve.