Budget crisis

Chapter 70 needed

For state aid alone to hold the gap, Chapter 70 would grow 11.33% a year (ours); we assume 2.71% a year.

Chapter 70 at two growth ratesour estimate
At the rate needed (ours)At our assumed rate (ours)
At the rate needed (ours)At our assumed rate (ours)
FY2028$10,408,959$9,602,799
FY2029$11,588,678$9,863,135
FY2030$12,902,102$10,130,528
FY2031$14,364,385$10,405,171
FY2032$15,992,399$10,687,259
FY2033$17,804,927$10,976,995
FY2034$19,822,882$11,274,585
FY2035$22,069,544$11,580,244
FY2036$24,570,837$11,894,189
FY2037$27,355,618$12,216,645

Both are our projection from FY2027’s Chapter 70.

1 · The facts

  • $9,349,335

    Chapter 70, FY2027

  • $11,876,038

    all state aid, FY2027

  • 23.8%

    of the town’s revenue is state aid (our division)

    our estimate

  • 2.71% a year

    state aid growth, assumed (ours)

    our estimate

  • 9.50% a year

    state aid growth needed to close the gap (ours)

    our estimate

  • 11.33% a year

    Chapter 70 growth needed, if it alone closes it (ours)

    our estimate

  • $27,355,618

    Chapter 70 in FY2037 at that rate (ours)

    our estimate

  • $12,216,645

    at our assumed rate (ours)

    our estimate

  • $68,248,782

    more Chapter 70 over ten years than we count (ours)

    our estimate

  • $3,482,708

    FY2027 budget above foundation (our subtraction)

    our estimate

2 · What it shows

  1. 1

    To hold the gap, all state aid would grow 9.50% a year; Chapter 70 alone, 11.33% a year.

  2. 2

    By FY2037 that is $27,355,618 of Chapter 70, against $12,216,645 at our assumed rate.

  3. 3

    Over ten years, $68,248,782 more Chapter 70 than the projection already counts.

  4. 4

    The FY2027 school budget is $3,482,708 above the state’s foundation budget.

Sources

What changed

Version 15 — updated September 20, 2026