On Sunday afternoon, Superintendent John Robidoux alerted the School Committee via email that Rep. Jenny Armini has assured him “that METCO funding is intact now and will be moving forward.”
At its July 31 meeting, Robidoux told the School Committee he had learned that Marblehead would lose its annual $514,720 in state METCO funding beginning in the 2026-27 school year, due to the town’s noncompliance with the multifamily housing law, 3A. That prompted concern from many people in the town.
“METCO has its own line item in the state budget for a reason,” Armini told the Current Sunday. “It is a highly valued program for families seeking educational opportunity for their kids. Marblehead has provided that since METCO’s earliest days. The town’s commitment is unmatched and it will be for years to come.”
Armini explained that Marblehead’s 3A noncompliance makes the town ineligible for discretionary grants. The town’s METCO funding does not fall under that category.
“METCO is a formula grant, not a competitive grant. There is a small competitive METCO pilot program that requires compliance,” but that is not where Marblehead gets its funding, she said.
On Sunday Robidoux wrote, “This is great news for all. She (Armini)said that the total METCO funding was not tied to 3A, despite DESE (Department of Early and Secondary Education) indicating that it was. So, long story short, there is no crisis or funding issue that we need to worry about.”
