Connecticut legislation did not pass HB5283 to fully fund education throughout the state

May 4 (Hartford) — The State House and Senate did not pass school funding bill HB5283 this legislative session. 

Educators for Excellence – Connecticut (E4E-CT) has been actively supporting HB5283 since its inception, providing public testimony on behalf of teachers throughout the state and speaking to legislators on the importance of education equity for students in Connecticut. Teachers and E4E-CT staff alike have voiced their concerns over lack of funding in our highest needs district and highlighted what a continued lack of funding would mean for students.

“We are saddened to hear that the state legislature has decided to not pass HB5283,” said Juan Saenz, a teacher in Bridgeport.“All of our students deserve a fair and equitable education, with a chance to close the ever-widening opportunity gap. Without fully funding our schools, we have only made our mission as educators, and the dreams of our future generations, harder to accomplish. The decision to not pass this bill will only create more harm and disservice to communities most in need.” 

Passing HB5283 would have meant expediting the ECS phase in and fully funding education before the federal dollars run out, giving our schools the opportunity to provide necessary resources for our students, while also easing the burden that often falls onto the shoulders of our educators. Now, schools will be left with their normal budgets once the ARP dollars run out.  

“It is incredibly disheartening to see our state leaders not pass HB5283,” said Daniel Pearson, state director of E4E-CT.  “We are continuing to devalue our underfunded and highest needs districts. We had immense support, not only from educators and teachers, but also from community members, superintendents and municipal leaders, and we still can’t get this done at a time when our state has unprecedented surpluses of funding. If we can’t do this now, then when will we? Our work will not end here, and we will not stop fighting until the over $700 million racial funding gap is closed.” 

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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.