The Massachusetts Senate has adopted a budget amendment from State Senator Adam Hinds that would impact rural school districts.
Hinds is a Democract from Pittsfield who represents 52 communities in Western Massachusetts. He says the amendment would establish a Rural School aid fund of $1.5 million.
“For rural schools, so those with 10 students or less per square mile, and with a per capita income that is below the average of the state, they will be eligible for addition funding,” Hinds told WAMC.
Hinds says declining attendance and increasing costs in rural school districts were the impetus for the new source of funding. The amendment, which is not in the House’s draft of the budget, will now go to a conference committee.
