Submitted by State Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford) and State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington)
State Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford) and State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington) pushed successfully to have the Massachusetts Legislature once again provide full funding for Bedford and Bourne to offset costs of educating the children of military families living on Hanscom Air Force Base.
The efforts of Rep. Gordon and Sen. Barrett resulted in an appropriation of $517,000 for Bedford’s costs. The funding was included in the conference committee report, which has been approved by both branches.
Bedford has accepted Hanscom students at its high school for more than 50 years through an agreement with the Department of Defense. The federal government reimburses only a small portion of the educational costs involved. Currently, the town educates more than 100 students living on Hanscom.
“The funding of this item remains a top priority for Bedford,” said Rep. Gordon. “Last term we achieved permanent funding of this item, but the strains on the budget put the matter into question again. Sen. Barrett and I got to work making sure this line item was protected.”
“Bedford schools are pleased to open their doors to kids living at Hanscom,” Barrett said. “I’m glad Rep. Gordon and I were able to come through.”
The Legislature’s budget will now head for the governor’s office for his signature.