Harwich Proposes Resetting School Funding Formula, Joint Working Group Formed

What happened

At a joint meeting, Harwich officials proposed resetting the Monomoy Regional School District operating assessment formula to the original 72/28 enrollment-based split and adopting a 50/50 capital cost share, citing exhausted levy capacity. Chatham officials pushed back, noting the current formula already requires them to contribute more than their enrollment share. Both towns and the School Committee agreed to form a joint regional agreement working group to review funding formulas and long-term facility/enrollment planning.

Why it matters to families

A potential change to the inter-town funding formula would materially affect how school costs are allocated between Chatham and Harwich, with significant budget implications for both communities and the district's long-term financial sustainability.

The evidence

As a starting point for discussion, Harwich proposed resetting the operating assessment formula to the district's original 72/28 enrollment-based split and adopting a 50/50 cost share for capital expenses... All boards agreed to form a joint regional agreement working group.

The source