MA S407

Establishes a special commission to assess and set standards for the default apportionment formula used by regional school districts under Section 14B of Chapter 71, specifically examining whether cost-sharing should be based on student enrollment or total property values in each town

Commission must recommend whether all Massachusetts towns should be mandated to either operate their own school district or belong to a regional school district

Findings, recommendations, and draft legislation must be filed by December 1, 2026 with the clerks of both chambers, public service committee chairs, and joint commission on education chairs

Commission membership includes 15 members: legislative appointees from both parties (4), commissioners or designees from DESE, Department of Revenue, and Executive Office for Administration and Finance (3), 5 regional school superintendents appointed by the Governor, and representatives from Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools, Rural Policy Advisory Commission, and Massachusetts Municipal Association

Co-chaired by appointees of the Senate President and Speaker of the House