Whether it’s the loss of a favorite teacher, cuts to services like tutoring or mental health support, or even the complete shutdown of their school, almost every public school student in Connecticut will feel some type of impact from the expiration of federal pandemic relief funding.
Gov. Ned Lamont delivered a budget address Wednesday that includes the biggest income tax cut in Connecticut history, as well as added spending on schools and housing. The proposal drew praise from both sides of the aisle, but critics called it too cautious.
Superintendents from Ellington, East Hartford, Stafford, and Vernon, along with Enfield officials who sent a letter, joined almost 200 people last week to speak in favor of legislation that would revise how the state funds public education.
Lamont also could receive pushback regarding municipal aid — both from his fellow Democrats in the General Assembly as well as from cities and towns.
As hundreds of individuals from every corner of Connecticut shared last week during a public hearing to fully and equitably fund public education, our students, families, educators, and schools are facing real challenges each and every day that require resources now.
The state legislature’s Appropriations and Education Committees heard hours of testimony on Friday regarding Proposed House Bill 5003, a bill that would accelerate a phased overhaul of school funding so that high-poverty and English language learning districts receive more state funding per student.