On November 12, 2025, the Connecticut General Assembly convened for a special legislative session to consider four pieces of legislation related to healthcare, housing affordability and growth, immigration enforcement, and the state's financial response to cuts in federal funding.
While education funding was not one of the primary focuses of the special session, two of the bills (H.B. 8002 and H.B. 8003) passed by the legislature contained policy changes impacting students, schools, and communities. This document dives into greater detail on these policy changes, which are summarized below.
Designating $500 Million to Maintain Essential Programs and Services — Including School Meals
Funding from the state's Budget Reserve Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, was set aside to mitigate federal funding cuts to the SNAP, WIC, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), healthcare, school meals, childcare assistance, or housing assistance.
Increasing School Construction Reimbursement Rates for Towns Meeting Certain Housing and Planning Requirements
Local and regional school districts, as well as endowed academies, in eligible municipalities will receive a 5-percentage point increase in their school construction reimbursement rate starting in 2026.
Re-establishing the Open Choice Voucher Pilot Program
Some interested and eligible families with students participating in the Open Choice program may receive Rental Assistance Program (RAP) certificates to secure housing in the town where their child is attending school.
Citation
School and State Finance Project. (2025). K-12 Education Funding Policy Changes Passed During the November 2025 Special Session. Southington, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://files.schoolstatefinance.org/hubfs/Reports/K-12%20Education%20Funding%20Changes%20-%20November%202025%20Special%20Session.pdf.