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Former New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer: Increased Education Funding Alone Will Not Save Connecticut Schools
Budgets · In the State · Opinion

Former New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer: Increased Education Funding Alone Will Not Save Connecticut Schools

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There’s a lot of people who believe that increasing funding alone can save low-performing schools. Former New London Superintendent Ph.D. Nicholas A. Fisher disagrees.  In response to the Connecticut Mirror’s three-part series comparing education reform efforts in Connecticut and Massachusettes, Fisher reflects on his own experience as a school leader in both states, asking an important question:… Continue reading Former New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer: Increased Education Funding Alone Will Not Save Connecticut Schools

Is Another Lawsuit The Answer? Teachers Union Threatens To File Injunction Against State Over Budget
Budgets · In the State

Is Another Lawsuit The Answer? Teachers Union Threatens To File Injunction Against State Over Budget

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On Monday, the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), the state largest teachers union, announced that they’re planning to file an injunction against the state, attempting to fight back against Gov. Dannel Malloy’s executive order budget, which cuts $557 million from education spending. Now the question is, will filing an injunction prevent cuts? Two towns, Torrington and Brooklyn,… Continue reading Is Another Lawsuit The Answer? Teachers Union Threatens To File Injunction Against State Over Budget

What’s A Better Option? No Educational Aid For Some Towns Or Passing A Budget That Gives A 955 Percent Increase To Greenwich Public Schools At The Expense Of Poorer Students?
Budgets · In the State

What’s A Better Option? No Educational Aid For Some Towns Or Passing A Budget That Gives A 955 Percent Increase To Greenwich Public Schools At The Expense Of Poorer Students?

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I have to agree with Gov. Dannel Malloy, though I think I will expand his statements to include his own party: The GOP budget is a “hot mess,” but so is the alternative. As far as schools are concerned, the biggest difference between the governor’s stop gap budget and the GOP plan is one would… Continue reading What’s A Better Option? No Educational Aid For Some Towns Or Passing A Budget That Gives A 955 Percent Increase To Greenwich Public Schools At The Expense Of Poorer Students?

Katie Roy: State Democrats Education Formula Would Be Even Less Viable Than Current Plan
Budgets · In the State

Katie Roy: State Democrats Education Formula Would Be Even Less Viable Than Current Plan

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In a recent Op-Ed for Connecticut Viewpoints, the Executive Director of the School Finance Project Katie Roy, points out one glaring flaw in the Democrat budget plan: Its fix for the state’s education funding formula is actually less viable than the current formula! So much so that it would take over fifty years for the… Continue reading Katie Roy: State Democrats Education Formula Would Be Even Less Viable Than Current Plan

Gov. Malloy Says Everyone Has a Veto On The Budget? What About Parents & Taxpayers?
Budgets · In the State

Gov. Malloy Says Everyone Has a Veto On The Budget? What About Parents & Taxpayers?

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Last Wednesday, Governor Dannel Malloy sat down with the New Haven Register’s Editorial Board to discuss the state budget.  During the interview he said something enlightening: “I think the legislature has become fond of giving everyone a veto to the budget. The unions have a veto. The local governments have a veto. The hospitals have… Continue reading Gov. Malloy Says Everyone Has a Veto On The Budget? What About Parents & Taxpayers?

This Isn’t A “Robin hood” Budget: Poorest Districts Saved From Some Education Cuts, But Will Still Be Hit
Budgets · In the State

This Isn’t A “Robin hood” Budget: Poorest Districts Saved From Some Education Cuts, But Will Still Be Hit

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Students go back to school in two weeks and state leaders still haven’t figured out how to pass a budget — the uncertainty means that districts have no idea how to plan for the schools year. On Friday things got even more dire. Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a new executive order, amending his previous order,… Continue reading This Isn’t A “Robin hood” Budget: Poorest Districts Saved From Some Education Cuts, But Will Still Be Hit

What Happens If The State Doesn’t Pass A Budget? The Answer Is Deep Cuts For Schools
Budgets · In the State

What Happens If The State Doesn’t Pass A Budget? The Answer Is Deep Cuts For Schools

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Connecticut’s General Assembly was unable to come to a budget agreement by the legislature’s June 30th deadline. The good news is, unlike places like New Jersey and Maine, we didn’t have a government shut down. Our state is still functioning because Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed an Executive Order Resource Allocation Plan. Unfortunately, when it comes… Continue reading What Happens If The State Doesn’t Pass A Budget? The Answer Is Deep Cuts For Schools

Summer Youth Employment Program Could Be Without Funding If Legislature Doesn’t Get It Together On State Budget
Budgets · In the State

Summer Youth Employment Program Could Be Without Funding If Legislature Doesn’t Get It Together On State Budget

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The fiscal year ends on July 1st, but Connecticut’s state legislature still hasn’t passed a budget bill. This means school districts are stuck in limbo. It also means that, unless the legislature can get it together before Friday, thousands of youth services jobs through the state’s summer youth employment program will go unfunded — a job… Continue reading Summer Youth Employment Program Could Be Without Funding If Legislature Doesn’t Get It Together On State Budget

Do School Districts Have Time For A Cost Study? Gov. Malloy’s Not Buying it
Budgets · In the State

Do School Districts Have Time For A Cost Study? Gov. Malloy’s Not Buying it

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Last Monday, Bridgeport’s Parent Center quietly announced that they’ll be discontinuing all adult education programs due to budget cuts. The week before, Norwalk’s Board of Education voted on a budget that put music lessons, intramural sports and kindergarten paraprofessionals on the chopping block. Hartford’s school board voted for a budget earlier this month that cuts… Continue reading Do School Districts Have Time For A Cost Study? Gov. Malloy’s Not Buying it

Gearing Up For Important School Funding Battle; Education Groups Weigh in On School Formula
Budgets · In the State

Gearing Up For Important School Funding Battle; Education Groups Weigh in On School Formula

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Should education funding be based on location? In Connecticut, it largely is. Right now, there’s eleven different school funding formulas — including ECS which the state effectively stopped using in 2013 — all largely based, not on student need, but on zip code and school type. With the state gearing up for what seems like… Continue reading Gearing Up For Important School Funding Battle; Education Groups Weigh in On School Formula