For the second time in just over a week, the Connecticut General Assembly has approved greater funding for special education. Today, the legislature passed H.B. 7163, which will provide an additional $40 million in funding in the current fiscal year (FY 2025) for the special education Excess Cost grant.
The school district is under a “budget freeze” after the reimbursement percentage of the Excess Cost grant decreased due to the increase in special education services districts provide to students.
Gov. Lamont's plan to redirect funds earmarked for K-12 education to instead support early childhood programs could have a "devastating" effect on Meriden schools, a district already facing deep staffing cuts.