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Lawsuit Withdrawn Over Massachusetts Public Education Funding

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A lawsuit alleging inadequate education funding in Massachusetts has been dropped after the legislature passed new money for public schools. 

Last spring, a coalition of parents and education advocates suedthe state (PDF), contending Massachusetts was shortchanging its schools.

The suit has been withdrawn after Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation in November calling for $1.5 billion in new education funding over seven years.

Juan Cofield leads a group of NAACP branches in New England. The NAACP was a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

"We were pleased that the legislature passed the student opportunity act, which we think goes a long way in providing the support from the state necessary to adequately fund public education," he said.

Cofield said only the money for the first year has been appropriated. And he said his association will go back to court if the funds don't continue to flow.

Parents from Springfield, Chicopee and Orange were among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. 

Before joining New England Public Media, Alden was a producer for the CBS NEWS program 60 Minutes. In that role, he covered topics ranging from art, music and medicine to business, education and politics.
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