Mass. budget keeps METCO funding

BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick said last week that he has allocated $18.5 million in funding for the METCO program in his fiscal 2011 budget, maintaining support for the education program.
METCO, a voluntary program aimed at expanding educational opportunities and increasing diversity by permitting students in certain cities to attend public schools in other communities, was created in 1966. It currently serves about 3,300 students in 33 school districts in the greater Boston area and in four school districts outside Springfield.
Patrick’s budget allocates a record $4.048 billion in education aid, the governor said in a statement. The budget ensures that every school district will receive Chapter 70 funding that meets or exceeds the level of funding they received last year, Patrick said.
“METCO lifts kids up,” Patrick said. “I wish we could do more, but in these challenging economic times, our commitment to supporting programs that provide opportunity to students and their families is firm.” •