Educators for Excellence-Connecticut Reacts to Appropriations Budget Regarding Education Funding

April 18 (Hartford) —  Educators for Excellence-Connecticut (E4E-CT), a teacher-led organization, reacted to the appropriations budget released today regarding school funding in Connecticut. This budget does not go far enough to allocate sufficient funding to expedite the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula, slowing progress on Connecticut reducing the $700 million racial funding gap.

In order for the budget to have a lasting impact on Connecticut schools, the state needs to fully fund H.B. 5003 to expedite the ECS formula. Without this funding, schools will not be able to implement necessary programming to ensure our students are receiving the education that they need and deserve.

“While we appreciate the House, Senate, and Appropriation leadership for prioritizing education this legislative session, we are disappointed to see that this number is woefully under what we need to provide adequate education for all students,” said Daniel Pearson, Executive Director of Educators for Excellence-Connecticut. “We have been fighting for years to close the educational opportunity gaps in our state that exist for so many of our students. We have an opportunity to significantly address the inequities in our education system with H.B. 5003, and unfortunately, this budget does not accomplish our goals.”

The money allocated to schools in the appropriations budget will be what carries them through after the federal ESSER funds expire in 2024. Districts are facing a fiscal cliff, and are currently planning how to continue the necessary programming when these funds run out, and the state continues to underserve many of our districts. 

“Without fully funding H.B. 5003 with $357 million, we are preventing our districts from fully utilizing the ESSER funds they have remaining,” Pearson noted. “This means districts will be hesitant to hire necessary staff who are vital to the success of our students, in fear of the looming fiscal cliff.”

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Founded by public school teachers, Educators for Excellence is a growing movement of more than 33,000 educators, united around a common set of values and principles for improving student learning and elevating the teaching profession. We work together to identify issues that impact our schools, create solutions to these challenges, and advocate for policies and programs that give all students access to a quality education. 

For more information, please visit e4e.org.