On February 8, 2023, Governor Ned Lamont released his recommended biennial state budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The proposed budget contains policy changes and proposed appropriations to fund public education.
This nonpartisan analysis details the changes to state education funding contained in the governor’s recommended budget, and provides a brief overview of the general fiscal outlook of the state budget and economy.
Education funding policies largely remain unchanged from current law under the governor's proposed budget. However, key policies of the proposed budget include:
- Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grants continue to follow the current formula phase-in schedule according to statute.
- The ECS formula’s phase-out schedule is resumed, resulting in gradual decreases for towns considered “overfunded” according to the formula.
- American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds are used to respond to chronic absenteeism by funding education staffing.
- The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), which is now its own state agency, receives funding for additional staff positions and program offerings for students.
- Funding is provided for additional Hartford-area choice seats, transportation costs, and other educational services to support the settlement in the Sheff v. O’Neill case.
- Additional ARP funding is provided for the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to increase dual enrollment opportunities.
- Charter school funding is held flat to FY 2023 levels.
- The Excess Cost grant remains capped at FY 2023 levels.
Citation
School and State Finance Project. (2023). Budget Snapshot: Education Funding in Governor Lamont's Proposed Budget, FYs 2024 and 2025. Hamden, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://schoolstatefinance.org/resource-assets/Governors-Budget-FYs-2024-and-2025-Education-Funding.pdf.