Dudley receives support from Charlton on Chapter 70 cap

DUDLEY – The Board of Selectmen received a letter from the Charlton Board of Selectmen last week supporting the concept of limiting the local minimum contribution to Chapter 70 funding  to 2 ½ percent annually. In the letter, signed by Charlton Town Administrator Robin L. Craver, she said that the Charlton board had unanimously supported the concept.

Dudley board chairman Jonathan Ruda said in a statement, “The Dudley Board of Selectmen is happy to have the support, in concept,of the Charlton Board of Selectmen in pursuing legislation to cap the local minimum contribution of Chapter 70 funding at 2.5%.Chapter 70 mandatesimpact the local budget plan of every city and town in the Commonwealth. Pursuing a legislative remedy and a more thoughtful approach to education funding is a good first step in opening a statewide dialogue about the unsustainability of the current Chapter 70 formula. We look forward to the continued bipartisan support of Senator Moore and Representative Durant in facilitating that dialogue and we are encouraged by their willingness to consider cosponsoring the bill. When the language of the bill has been determined, presumably by the first week in April, the Board's next step will be to meet with members of the school committee and school administration to answer their questions and seek their input and support.”