In his state of the state address Governor Patrick said that funding to schools would not be cut further. The Globe ran a follow up story:

Patrick to oppose cuts in municipal aid

Cross your fingers.

On January 22nd Governor Patrick sent an email regarding key local aid numbers (e.g. Chapter 70 and unrestricted general government aid). In his email the Governor states:

“Despite the fiscal challenges the Commonwealth continues to face, I will propose taking another step forward in our commitment to education by funding Chapter 70 at the highest level in the history of the Commonwealth at $4.048 billion. Every district will be fully funded at foundation, all districts will be held harmless to ensure funding is not less than fiscal year 2010 levels, and all Chapter 70 amounts will be funded by the State, not with deferral stimulus funds.”

The good news in this is that there may not be additional cuts in state aid going forward. However, level funding does not ensure level service.  As the school committee in particular has stated in recent meetings, the FY11 budget will be a challenge. The School Committee is meeting this Tuesday (1/26) and may discuss the issue then.