Agudath Israel of America’s New England Office Applauds the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor Charlie Baker for Including Nonpublic Student Health Services in the State Budget and Increasing Security Grant Funding

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Agudath Israel of America’s New England Office applauds the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor Charlie Baker for including nonpublic student health services in the state budget and increasing security grant funding.

Recognizing the importance of ensuring the health and safety of all students in the Commonwealth regardless of where they choose to attend school, the Massachusetts Legislature included health services funding for both public and nonpublic schools in the state budget. Lawmakers also included specific language to ensure that the funds will be shared equitably across public and nonpublic schools based on their respective enrollment numbers.

In addition, the Legislature increased the funding for nonprofit security grants from $1 million in FY21 to $1.5 million this session.

“We are deeply grateful to Governor Baker, Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Senator Michael Rodrigues, and the Legislature for this support,” said Mrs. Ariella Hellman, Director of Government Affairs at Agudath Israel of New England. “The school health funding is needed now more than ever to safely reopen schools this fall and to be prepared for the next stages in fighting this pandemic.”

“We also express our sincere appreciation for the increased funding for the nonprofit security grant program, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the Legislature to continue to meet the need in this area.”