State aid

Aid per pupil

Chapter 70 averaged $5,757.59 a pupil in FY2026, yet one pupil more or fewer moved it by $150.00.

1 · The facts

  • $5,757.59

    Chapter 70 a foundation pupil, FY2026 (our division)

  • $150.00

    what one pupil moves it by, FY2026 (ours)

    our estimate

  • 2

    provisions in DESE’s definitions that cut aid

  • -$485,942

    across-the-board reduction, FY2009

  • -$92,416

    across-the-board reduction, FY2010

  • -$279,101

    across-the-board reduction, FY2011

  • 968

    pupils at which the formula’s need turns negative (ours)

    our estimate

  • 60.4%

    required contribution against the foundation budget, FY2026

2 · What it shows

  1. 1

    Aid is last year’s aid plus an increase, so a pupil moves only the increase: $150.00.

  2. 2

    DESE’s definitions name 2 things that cut aid; fewer pupils at a district running schools is neither.

  3. 3

    Aid was cut across the board in FY2009 (-$485,942), FY2010 (-$92,416), FY2011 (-$279,101), and never since.

  4. 4

    Below about 968 foundation pupils the formula’s need would turn negative; not in 20 published years.

Sources

What changed

Version 15 — updated September 20, 2026