Providing a safe and healthy learning environment is pivotal to ensuring students can achieve in the classroom and beyond. Research has repeatedly shown a safe learning environment can help improve student learning outcomes. Students’ overall health and ability to perform academically can be negatively impacted by environmental exposure to mold, poorly ventilated air, uncomfortable temperatures, and inadequate lighting or noise in school buildings.
Investing in capital improvements for school districts results in more than just improved facilities for students. Research has shown school facility investments result in both improved student outcomes and increased home values. Additionally, the impact of investments is most significant in communities with higher levels of student need and student diversity.
In Connecticut, eligible public school operators undertaking major infrastructure and new construction projects are reimbursed through the state’s school construction grant program. However, this program does not equitably support all public school operators or aid schools in minor capital repairs.
This document seeks to answer high-level questions about how the State of Connecticut currently aids in school construction, how school construction grant reimbursement can be improved, and how the State can better support schools in maintaining facilities through minor capital improvement grants.
Citation
School and State Finance Project. (2025). Improving Funding System for School District Facilities. Southington, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://files.schoolstatefinance.org/hubfs/Reports/Improving%20Funding%20
System%20for%20School%20District%20Facilities.pdf.