The state House of Representatives’ fiscal year 2025 budget would bring $37,072,720 to the district’s schools, representing a 4.85% increase from FY24, and $8,715,810 in unrestricted aid to the city, if approved by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey.
The aid would include $50,000 for flood mitigation through the dredging of the upper Goldthwaite Brook, $25,000 for mental health programming through the Peabody Education Foundation, and $23,000 to provide an additional behavioral health service clinician for students between kindergarten and eighth grade. Tom Walsh and Sally Kerans are co-sponsoring those three amendments.
“As we know, schools play a crucial role in looking after young people’s emotional health, building their resilience, and giving them the life skills needed in today’s modern age,” Walsh said in a statement. “This important funding will assist in meeting the needs of our students.”
Superintendent Josh Vadala told The Item that Walsh has always been a tremendous supporter of and advocate for the district’s schools. He added that the Peabody Education Foundation has been integral in providing additional mental health and wellness programs to supplement the investments made by Mayor Ted Bettencourt and the School Committee after students returned to post-pandemic learning.
“Rep. Walsh’s bill would provide additional funds to support this initiative and exemplifies his unwavering commitment to the Peabody schools,” Vadala said. “We are extremely grateful for his leadership and support.”
Peabody will also be eligible to receive a reimbursement of $200 million in road and bridge funding, and access to a share of $75 million in grants for specific road-construction programs in a bill passed by both chambers of the legislature this week.
