Funding will pay for traffic improvements, RMHS equipment acquisition and accessible school transportation for special needs students
BOSTON – House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) and State Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester) have secured a total of $175,000 in state funding assistance to support traffic safety improvements and education-related initiatives in Reading as part of the $61.01 billion Fiscal Year 2026 state budget that was enacted by the House and Senate on June 30. This funding is still preliminary and needs to be approved by Governor Maura Healey before any money can be disbursed to the town.
The state spending plan, which is currently under review by the governor, also calls for an increase in both Chapter 70 education aid and Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) for cities and towns, which will be funded statewide at $7.36 billion and $1.323 billion, respectively. The budget sets minimum per pupil aid at $150 per student, an increase from the Fiscal Year 2025 rate of $104 per student, while also fully funding the fifth year of the Student Opportunity Act.
Reading is scheduled to receive $12,326,033 in Chapter 70 school assistance, an increase of $549,450 over Fiscal Year 2025. The town will also get $4,035,767 in UGGA funding to support other essential municipal services – including public safety, library services and local parks – which represents an increase of $43,910
over current funding levels.
The Fiscal Year 2026 budget provides $180 million so local school districts can continue to offer universal free school meals to students for breakfast and lunch, regardless of family income. It also contains a provision requiring the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to conduct a review of the current funding formula for K-12 education as it relates to local contribution requirements. DESE is due to report back with its findings and recommendations by June 30, 2026.
Working together on behalf of the town, Reading’s State House legislative delegation successfully advocated for the inclusion of a $50,000 earmark in the state budget for traffic intersection improvements. One of the safety upgrades being eyed as part of this initiative is the installation of a smart traffic light system at the intersection of South and West Street.
Another $50,000 has been allocated in the state budget for Reading Memorial High School for equipment purchases to aid student learning. This can include items such as music and lab equipment, with the earmark language worded to offer flexibility for school administrators so the money can be directed where the needs are greatest and would be most helpful to students.
An additional $75,000 earmark will also benefit the Reading school district. Specifically, this funding will be targeted at providing accessible school transportation for local students with special needs.
“Working together with Representative Haggerty and Senator Lewis, we were able to successfully secure the resources Reading needs to address some of its top public safety and educational priorities,” said Representative Jones. “The planned traffic intersection improvements will make Reading’s roadways safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, while the state funding allocated for the local schools will help to ensure that RMHS students have the proper equipment they need to enhance their learning experience and that students with special needs can better access school transportation services.”
“This FY26 budget continues the Commonwealth’s commitment to investing in our communities to fund important local initiatives,” said Representative Haggerty. “The funding for local schools will help Reading Memorial High School acquire equipment that will give our students the tools they need to excel in their education while also providing accessible transportation to all our students, including those with special needs, so they can safely get to school. The investment in traffic safety improvements for intersections and roadways will help our residents travel throughout our community safely. I’m happy to have worked with Representative Jones and Senator Lewis to secure this funding that will benefit both our community’s safety and our students’ success.”
“I’m proud that this budget, passed with bipartisan support, will deliver critical resources for our public schools and communities, and will make our state more affordable for working families with significant investments in childcare, housing, and healthcare,” said Senator Lewis. “I’m especially pleased that Representatives Jones and Haggerty and I were able to secure funding for traffic improvements and other local Reading priorities.”
Governor Healey has until July 10 to approve the budget and to issue any vetoes or proposed amendments.
