More than any of them can afford. Local school districts rely on Educational Cost Sharing funds from the State of Connecticut. This allocation, along with minimum requirements on how municipalities spend these dollars, provide an important foundation for the funding of public education in Connecticut. Radical changes to this process can have devastating results and it’ll be our kids who will suffer the most.
Our school districts have continued to take drastic measures to maintain level funding and keep increases to a mere 1% annually. Adequate State funding is crucial to local school districts at least maintaining what they have. Not to mention how important it is to minimize impact on our local taxpayers.
A dialog is underway to discuss the best process for the State to support local school districts and the education that they provide. Decisions made in the coming months will have the potential to impact educational funding for years to come.
Here’s what they’ll be losing:
• Being prepared for a future full of unlimited opportunities in a global market.
• A competitive edge when state-of-the-art technology falls by the wayside.
• Teachers to inspire them and support their success.
• A healthy start when physical education and health programs are scaled back.
• A clean, safe school that’s not in disrepair when there’s no money to maintain it.
• Individual attention as their class sizes increase.
• The opportunity to explore their creativity in art classes – when there aren’t any.
• A chance to find their voice or their inner musician when there are no more music programs.
• Becoming a team player when there are no athletic teams.
• A world language when their programs are cut.
• Something to keep them out of trouble after school when there is nothing for them to do after school.
