For rural school aid to eligible towns and regional school districts, excluding vocational schools, independent agricultural, technical schools and charter schools; provided, that a school district shall be eligible for rural school aid if a school district has a student density of not more than 35 students per square mile and an average annual per capita income of not more than the average annual per capita income for the commonwealth for the same period; provided further, that rural school aid shall be allocated equitably in the following priority order: (i) school districts serving less than 11 students per square mile; (ii) school districts serving not more than 21 students per square mile; and (iii) school districts serving not more than 35 students per square mile; provided further, that not later than December 1, 2024, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing: (a) its recommendations for additional adjustments to the rural school aid calculation for fiscal year 2026 to improve the accuracy and equity of the student density component and the per capita income component; and (b) the calculation and planned distribution of funds to school districts; provided further, that not later than January 31, 2025, any district receiving funds under this item shall submit a plan to the department of elementary and secondary education outlining steps the district will take to increase regional collaboration, consolidation or other efficiencies over the next 3 fiscal years; provided further, that not later than April 1, 2025, that the department of elementary and secondary education shall submit a report to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing steps that participating districts have taken in regionalization and consolidation; and provided further, that funds distributed from this item shall not be considered
chapter 70 aid for the calculation of the minimum required local contribution for fiscal year 2026
