Education stakeholders — including lawmakers, superintendents and municipal leaders — gathered Thursday to call out Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration for a lack of financial investment in K-12 education and to urge state leadership to make it a priority in the upcoming 2024 legislative session.
According to a new survey from the School and State Finance Project, a vast number of Connecticut superintendents are worrying about student mental health needs, the rising costs of special education and more as federal relief money expires and holes appear in education budgets across the state.
The Hartford Public Schools superintendent is raising concerns that Governor Lamont’s proposed budget could mean an $11 million loss for schools across the capital city.
Hartford Public Schools may face an additional $11.1 million in magnet school tuition costs after Gov. Ned Lamont removed the tuition cap in his proposed budget.
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.
Room 2D at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford was standing room only on Thursday afternoon. Hundreds of people had gathered for a press conference, flanked by signs reading “Keep the promise to CT’s students” and “Fairly fund all students.”