by Steven Hernández posted on

In April, the Connecticut Appropriations Committee proposed a budget totaling $55.5B, with $27.1 billion in FY 26 and $28.4 billion in FY 27. Alongside the Governor’s proposed budget, the Appropriations budget will become the basis for budget negotiations through the legislature’s June 4, 2025 session deadline.

The following high-level analysis highlights areas of concern for student equity in the State of Connecticut:

Highlights

    1. Continued Phase-In of the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) Formula
      • The budget commits to the ongoing phase-in of the ECS formula, providing essential, weighted-need funding to all school districts. This ensures predictable, sustainable support, enabling long-term planning for districts. The committee’s plan adds $8.7 million in FY2026 and $17.5 million in FY2027 above the Governor’s proposal, preventing funding cuts to any community.
    2. Increased Special Education Excess Cost Funding
      • An additional $40 million is allocated for Special Education Excess Cost in both FY2026 and FY2027, supporting Connecticut’s highest-need students and continuing the current level of enhanced support.
    3. Universal Preschool Trust
      • The budget earmarks $300 million to seed a new Universal Preschool Trust, aiming to provide care and early education for all young children in Connecticut. This fund is structured outside the spending cap to allow long-term investments in child care services.
    4. Charter School Start-Up Funding
      • $2.5 million per year is provided for two new charter high schools: Taino CoLab in New Haven and Stamford Big Picture, supporting innovative educational models and expanding school choice.
    5. Science of Reading and Right to Read Initiatives
      • Funding is included for the Science of Reading Masterclass and additional Right to Read investments, ensuring evidence-based K-3 literacy practices and curriculum in all districts. This aligns with the Governor’s proposal.
    6. Aspiring Educator Diversity Scholarship Program
      • The budget continues a $6 million annual investment in the Aspiring Educator Diversity Scholarship Program, which is vital for expanding and diversifying the educator pipeline.
    7. Local Food for Schools Incentive Grant Expansion
      • An additional $1.9 million is allocated in FY2027 to expand the Local Food for Schools Incentive Grant, supporting local agriculture and healthy school meals.

Areas of Concern

    1. No Funding for High-Dosage Tutoring
      • The committee’s budget eliminates the $5 million in FY2027 that the Governor had proposed for a matching grant to support High-Dosage Tutoring, a key intervention for learning recovery.
    2. Reduced Learner Engagement and Attendance Program Funding
      • There is a $2.9 million reduction in FY2027 for the Learner Engagement and Attendance Program, a nationally recognized initiative to combat chronic absenteeism and student disconnection.
    3. Reduction in Free Meal Funding for Reduced-Price Students
      • The budget reduces funding by $12.4 million in FY2027 for providing free meals to students who currently qualify for reduced lunch prices, potentially impacting food security for vulnerable children.
    4. Lack of Sustainable Funding for Educator Pipeline Initiatives
      • Several important educator pipeline initiatives—such as TEACH.org, the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, certification platform technology maintenance, and Educators Rising—are not sustainably funded in this proposal.

The Appropriations budget, along with the Governor’s proposed budget are a starting point for negotiations. ConnCAN looks forward to working with elected leadership to ensure that all of Connecticut’s students have access to a high-quality public education.

Steven Hernández is currently the Executive Director of ConnCAN.

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