Board of Education member Joe Sokolovic, with an assist from Galaxy AI’s You Tube summarizer, shares this commentary about Connecticut’s school funding inequality.
Connecticut’s urban and rural school districts, especially Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven, face severe financial challenges due to an outdated and inequitable state funding formula. Despite a $2 billion state surplus, these districts struggle with deficits, cuts to essential services, and rising costs. Advocates call for increasing the foundation funding amount, adjusting for special needs and poverty, and implementing a wealth tax to ensure equitable, sustainable education funding.
Connecticut is often perceived as having a top-notch education system. However, this perception masks a stark reality faced by many urban and rural school districts, particularly those serving predominantly Black and Brown communities. The three largest cities—Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven—exemplify the hardships caused by an inequitable and outdated state funding formula.
The Two Connecticut Education Systems
Connecticut essentially operates two separate education systems: one for wealthy towns like Greenwich, the hometown of Governor Ned Lamont, and another for poorer urban and rural districts. This division results in unequal funding and resources, raising serious civil rights concerns.
The Funding Formula and Its Shortcomings
The Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant is intended to allocate state funds to school districts. However, the current formula fails to adequately consider critical factors such as:
Concentrated poverty
High enrollment of students with special needs
Costs associated with transportation, especially due to charter schools and school choice
Consequently, districts like Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven receive insufficient funding to cover rising expenses, including mandated services for students with disabilities, salary increases, and inflation-driven operational costs.
Additionally, reliance on property tax contributions disadvantages cities with large amounts of non-taxable property, further exacerbating funding disparities.
Impact on Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport
Hartford Public Schools
Hartford faces a projected $30 million deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This deficit stems from salary obligations, special education costs, transportation, and other operational expenses. Without additional state funding, Hartford will be forced to make further cuts, with little left to reduce without harming students.
New Haven Public Schools
New Haven, known for strong advocacy by its mayor and superintendent, has already made significant cuts and faces a projected deficit of approximately $23 million. Despite their efforts, the district cannot afford further reductions without impacting educational quality.
Bridgeport Public Schools
Bridgeport has endured extensive cuts over recent years, including the elimination of over 243 jobs before the COVID-19 pandemic. Temporary federal relief funds allowed some restoration of services, such as providing each student with a computer. However, with the end of pandemic relief, cuts have resumed, including:
Elimination of all librarians across schools
Loss of over 18 assistant principal positions
Reduction in central office and facilities staff
Cuts to arts programs and IT staff
Elimination of deputy superintendent and some director positions
Bridgeport currently faces a projected deficit exceeding $9 million after using internal funds to temporarily cover some costs. The 2026-27 school year threatens even greater financial pain, with an estimated $37 million funding gap.
Governor Lamont has expressed skepticism about increasing funding, falsely claiming that districts have too many administrators. Ironically, Bridgeport has the same number of administrators as Greenwich, highlighting the governor’s reluctance to address funding inequities.
Why Has This Crisis Occurred?
The crisis stems from:
An outdated ECS formula that has not been fully funded or adjusted for inflation since 2013
Overoptimistic budget projections and lack of clear guidance on grant funding
Loss of pandemic relief funds
Political unwillingness to increase education funding despite a $2 billion state surplus
Proposed Solutions to Fix the Funding Crisis
Increase the Foundation Amount
Raising the foundation amount by at least $2,000 per pupil would provide districts like Bridgeport the resources to maintain current services and potentially restore some cuts.
Adjust Weights for Special Needs and English Language Learners
Adding significant weights for students with special education needs and English language learners would better reflect the true costs of educating these populations.
Tie Funding to Inflation
Legislating a mandated increase to the foundation amount tied to the Consumer Price Index would ensure funding keeps pace with rising costs, preventing future shortfalls.
Implement a Wealth Tax
Connecticut is one of the few states without a wealth tax. Introducing such a tax could generate sustainable revenue to support public education equitably.
Addressing Concerns About Affordability
Despite concerns about affordability, Connecticut’s current financial situation supports these proposals:
A $2 billion budget surplus
$4.1 billion in budget reserves
Potential additional revenue of $1.8 billion or more from a wealth tax
Historically, the foundation amount was nearly doubled in 2007 under Governor Jodi Rell, who did not have the current surplus or reserves. The last increase in 2013 was modest and insufficient to meet rising costs.
The Call to Action
Education advocates must unite with a clear message: fix the funding formula. Governor Lamont has shown little willingness to increase funding, making grassroots advocacy essential.
How to Advocate
Join local NAACP chapters and other advocacy groups
Share information and educate communities about funding inequities
Participate in marches and testify at budget hearings
Contact state representatives and local officials
Support candidates committed to equitable education funding in upcoming elections
Conclusion
Connecticut’s children deserve an education system that provides equal opportunities regardless of their zip code. The current funding formula perpetuates inequality and threatens the futures of students in urban and rural districts.
It is time for decisive action to fix the formula, increase funding, and invest in our children’s education. The future of Connecticut depends on it.
Thanks for posting this. Worked hard on creating the YouTube video. Took this old dog a few days to research and pull it together. Not the best job and one error I made during the narrative. I mistakenly credited Rowland for Malloys administration for the $1658 per pupil increase.
Everything else I said and wrote is factually correct.