Massachusetts.

This report provides an overview of Massachusetts' key school finance policies and initiatives for Fiscal Year 2023, focusing primarily on P-12 education funding. The state continued implementing the Student Opportunity Act, an equalization policy aimed at addressing funding disparities and student needs, with a 9.9% increase in public school aid for FY2024, including Chapter 70 state-aid rising to over $6.5 billion. Local communities fund 59% of school costs under Proposition 2½, while charter school funding is capped with limits on expansion and virtual charter schools. Emerging issues include regional inter-district consolidation efforts and potential budget pressures following the expiration of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds in 2024. Average teacher salaries have steadily increased from 2017 to 2022, reflecting sustained state and federal support, though fiscal challenges remain for districts relying on temporary pandemic-era funding.