By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
North Attleborough schools could see an unexpected increase in its state funding, according to information from State Rep. Adam Scanlon.
The House budget, which was passed on April 29 at 2:30 a.m., includes an increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid by $39.5 million and Chapter 70 education funding by $219.6 million, fully funding the first year of a six-year implementation plan of the Student Opportunity Act.
The House’s FY22 budget also creates a $40 million enrollment reserve fund to help school districts whose fall enrollment is negatively impacted as a result of the pandemic. The budget also includes $15 million in summer education services to help students with the consequences of prolonged remote learning and address educational and social-emotional needs.
Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) also pushed for additional funds to North Attleborough schools and was able to secure an additional $40,000 through an amendment. These funds are to be directed to the North Attleborough School District for the purposes of replacing failed and outdated ventilators with new unit ventilators.
“This funding will be key to improving the air quality and ventilation in local school buildings,” Scanlon wrote in a press release. “Reports have shown that around half of all the ventilators have either failed or are too old to be repaired with replacement parts.”
Scanlon also worked with the Mansfield delegation in support of Rep. Ted Phillips’ amendment adding $15,000 for facility and storage improvements to the Our Daily Bread food pantry in Mansfield.
