News release from State Senators Anthony Musto and Andres Ayala
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HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Musto (D-Trumbull) today welcomed the announcement that the State will release funding to allow for improvements to James J. Curiale School and Bullard-Havens Technical High School. Both schools will be provided with grants to fund improvements on school grounds and the purchase of new educational equipment.
The Curiale School has been named to the Commissioner’s Network, a program aimed at improving struggling schools. As part of this network, Curiale has been awarded funds to be used for repairs and improvements to the school grounds, as well as the purchase of new technologies and equipment designed to promote health and learning among students. Curiale has also hired a new principal, adopted a new curriculum, and will have extended school days and an extended school year.
“Curiale’s membership in the Commissioner’s Network will transform this school into a modern educational environment where students flourish. The additional funds it is receiving will be used to modernize facilities, shrink class sizes, and engage students with a state of the art education,” said Senator Ayala. “I am thrilled to see students and professionals there have been given the assistance they need.”
“None of Connecticut’s schools should be allowed to fall behind, and as a member of the Commissioner’s Network, I believe that Curiale will turn around and become a place where students thrive,” remarked Senator Musto. “The students at Curiale are finally being provided with the additional resources and focus they need as a result of the sweeping education reform passed by the legislature last year.”
As a member of the Connecticut Technical High School System, Bullard-Havens offers students a college preparatory curriculum and awards graduates with a high school diploma as well as a certificate in a trade technology. The Bullard-Havens Technical High School aims to train its students in specific trades so as to help them meet the needs of employers across Connecticut. The state grant will allow Bullard-Havens to improve the school’s grounds and allow for updates to the tools and technology needed to provide students with a high quality education.
“The resources made available to students as a result of this funding will help ensure that Bullard-Havens Technical High School graduates are competitive candidates for jobs upon graduation,” said Senator Ayala. “It is absolutely critical that our technical high school system remain on the cutting edge of the fields in which it trains its students.”
“By making investments in our technical high schools, Connecticut ensures that students are well-equipped for a career in their field of study,” said Senator Musto. “As a technical high school, Bullard-Havens must provide an educational experience that prepares its students for the workforce.”
The grants for these two schools were approved today by the State Bond Commission. The Curiale School will receive $489,600 and the Bullard-Havens Technical High School will receive $267,000.
The Senators have found something to cheer as they bring home the bacon (in terms of funds to remediate schools in need) to their District.
I hope they keep score of how these dollars once spent bring about the changes and improvements they picture in their comments today.
I also hope they have worthy explanations for the priority of these specific projects against other competitors for State funding. The CT Post covers the State Bond Commission activity and the potential for nearly $1.8 Billion increase in State debt, today. We appear to be in a debt weakened position already. How do you balance current needs against the obligations to settle past funding? Senator Ayala? Senator Musto? Let us hear from you on that subject. Time will tell.
*** GOOD NEWS! ***