Schools To Receive State Funding for Homeless Students

The city of will receive state funding for transporting and educating homeless students, according to the commonwealth's fiscal 2013 budget.

Gov. Deval Patrick signed the budget July 8, which includes $11.3 million for communities that participate in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Woburn is one of many cities that house homeless students in local hotels acting as shelters. According to a recent Boston Globe report, the new funding will ease the burden facing school departments for transportation of the extra students.

In the Globe article, Woburn schools business manager Joseph Elia said the city's numbers have "skyrocketed" over the years and he welcomes the extra state funding.

According to the state budget, the money is:

For reimbursements to cities, towns, and regional school districts for the cost of transportation of nonresident pupils as required by the federal McKinney-Vento act; provided, that the board of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate regulations for the determination of said reimbursements; and provided further, that the commonwealth's obligation shall not exceed the amount appropriated in this item.

Woburn is slated to receive $12.4 million in state funding over the fiscal 2013 year; $6.8 million of that is earmarked for education spending.