Fair Share Funding
Governor Healey Proposes $100M One-Time School Funding from Millionaires Tax
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Key Points
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The $100 million supplemental budget is to be funded from projected and unbudgeted revenue generated by the 4% surtax on households with incomes around $1 million or more, with the surtax expected to bring in about $2.7 billion this fiscal year.
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The plan would trigger the reconvening of the Foundation Budget Review Commission to reassess how the state supports public education within the school funding formula.
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Worcester is among districts slated for a dedicated earmark (about $2.75 million), illustrating that some districts receive targeted funds rather than a uniform per-district allotment and that local boards would determine how to spend the money.
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Education unions and leaders pressed for swift action to restore positions before the upcoming school year, with Boston Teachers Union president Erik Berg urging passage this month so districts can hire and fill roles in time for students.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey proposed a $100 million boost for public schools this week, just days after signing the state's $63 billion annual budget. The money would work out to about $112 per student across all 319 school districts, according to WGBH.
Healey says the plan will not cost taxpayers anything new. It draws from revenue already collected through the Fair Share Amendment — a 4% surtax on household incomes above roughly $1 million. That surtax is expected to bring in about $2.7 billion this fiscal year, according to WBUR.
Where the $100 Million Would Go
The funds would be split among all 319 districts at a flat rate of about $112 per student. Local school boards would decide how to spend the money. NBC Boston reported that the plan is designed to protect teachers, paraprofessionals, mental health counselors, and classroom materials from cuts.
Some districts would get targeted earmarks on top of the per-student share. Worcester, for example, is set to receive about $2.75 million in dedicated funds, according to Berkshire Eagle. That extra layer shows not every dollar flows through a single formula.
A One-Time Fix After a Brutal Budget Season
Schools across Massachusetts have faced a difficult budget year. Many districts cut staff and programs heading into the new school year. Healey filed the supplemental budget less than a week after signing the main state budget, signaling urgency, WBUR reported.
The key word here is one-time. This is not a permanent increase to the school funding formula. Critics warn the plan does not close longer-term funding gaps. Without follow-up action, districts could face the same shortfalls next year.
Unions Push for Passage Before School Year Starts
Education leaders want the legislature to move fast. Boston Teachers Union president Erik Berg urged lawmakers to pass the bill this month. He said districts need time to hire teachers and fill open roles before students return in the fall, according to Turn to 10.
The money still needs legislative approval. Every week of delay makes it harder for schools to bring back staff in time. Union leaders and local officials say the window for hiring is closing quickly.
Funding Formula Review Triggered by the Proposal
The plan does more than write a check. It also triggers the reconvening of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. That group evaluates how the state calculates what schools need — the formula that shapes education funding for years to come, WGBH reported.
The commission could recommend bigger structural changes to how Massachusetts funds schools. That makes this announcement about more than $100 million. It could set the stage for a broader overhaul of how education dollars are distributed across the state.
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