A Resolution Requesting that the State Legislature Revisit and Revise the Chapter 70 Funding Formula to Improve Its Funding Equity Across All Public School Districts

The Amesbury City Council adopts this resolution to urge the Massachusetts Legislature to reassess and revise the Chapter 70 funding formula, including the Student Opportunity Act, to address funding inequities that favor larger or growing districts and inadequately fund smaller or static-enrollment communities like Amesbury. It argues that hold-harmless protections and inflation indexing erode funding, and rising school costs—especially for utilities, health insurance, and high-need supports—have outpaced the current formula. The council calls for a statewide, equitable funding framework and asks residents to contact legislators to support revised Chapter 70 funding.