THE EVERETT ADVOCATE–Friday, October 11, 2019 Page 7 DiDomenico and Senate colleagues pass Student Opportunity Act Legislation will invest $1.5 billion in public education O n October 3, State Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate passed (39-0) the Student Opportunity Act, an unprecedented $1.5 billion new investment in Massachusetts K-12 public education. This legislation ensures public schools have adequate resources to provide high-quality education to students across the state, regardless of zip code or income level. Assuming inflation, over time the bill could provide an estimated $2.2 billion. The Student Opportunity Act significantly helps school districts that serve high concentrations of low-income students. At the same time, school districts across the Commonwealth will benefit from updates to the existing funding formula, along with increased state investment in other vital education aid programs, such as transportation, school construction and renovation and special education. “I can truly say that this was the proudest vote I have taken during my nine years serving in the Massachusetts Senate,” said DiDomenico. “Children and families across the State Senator Sal DiDomenico recently passed the Student Opportunity Act, a $1.5 billion investment in the state’s public schools. (Courtesy Photo) state have been waiting for this bill for a long time, and with the tireless work of legislators and advocates alike, we now have a piece of legislation that will change the lives of our students for generations to come. This is an issue that has been deeply personal for me, as my district has been hit hard by our current inequitable education funding formula and the detrimental change to the way our state counts economically disadvantaged students. This piece of legislation is a game-changer for our communities and our schools.” Taking into account these new investments, policy updates and the needs of all types of districts, the Student Opportunity Act creates new ways to monitor and measure progress, support effective approaches to closing opportunity gaps, and deliver results for all students. The Student Opportunity Act fully implements the recommendations of the 2015 Foundation Budget Review STUDENT | SEE PAGE 11 Start Your Weekend at the Marina Dance Party! Back By Popular Demand! TIME & AGAIN GIRLS Saturday, October 12 at 9 PM Dance to the Hits of Yesterday and Today! DJ LOGIK Friday, October 11 at 9 PM MONDAY'S SHUCK! $1.00 Oysters SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET Only $19.95 / 11am-2pm Featuring Al Whitney Jazz Band BOOK YOUR NEXT FUNCTION WITH US * GIFT CARDS AMPLE FREE www.marinaatthewharf.com 543 North Shore Rd. Revere 781-629-3798 PARKING AMAZING WATER VIEWS
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