Norwalk School Board head condemns governors ECS revisions
Norwalk School Board President Jack Chiaramonte says the governor’s proposed changes to the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula is nothing more than a “pathetic joke” that doesn't provide the community of Norwalk with nearly enough state education dollars for its students. Chiaramonte accused the governor of treating the Norwalk school district like a stepchild by offering what he claims are mere crumbs.
Governor Dannel Malloy's revisions call for more than $50 million in additional funding for Connecticut school districts Although the governor’s plan gives poverty-stricken schools in Norwalk a substantial funding hike, it still falls short of what other districts with fewer needs would receive, according to Fairfield County lawmakers, school board leaders, and educators.
Republican State Rep. Gail Lavielle of Wilton, whose district covers a section of Norwalk, agreed that the proposed revisions in ECS formula, don't go far enough to meet the needs students in Norwalk and Stamford. Lavielle, who sits on the legislature’s Education Committee, says she is disappointed by the governor’s plan and hopes to change to formula.
Stamford Interim Superintendent of Schools Winifred Hamilton is on board with the governor’s revisions. Hamilton commended Malloy for recognizing the need to allocate additional ECS funding in urban centers.
Print companies may be recruited to run off proposed school funding breakdowns for local school district residents to review. Under Malloy’s plan, 130 towns and cities would see their education cost-sharing grants increase during the 2012-13 school year, while state grants would remain unchanged for 39 towns. No community would be allocated fewer dollars than it currently receives.
Governor Dannel Malloy's revisions call for more than $50 million in additional funding for Connecticut school districts Although the governor’s plan gives poverty-stricken schools in Norwalk a substantial funding hike, it still falls short of what other districts with fewer needs would receive, according to Fairfield County lawmakers, school board leaders, and educators.
Republican State Rep. Gail Lavielle of Wilton, whose district covers a section of Norwalk, agreed that the proposed revisions in ECS formula, don't go far enough to meet the needs students in Norwalk and Stamford. Lavielle, who sits on the legislature’s Education Committee, says she is disappointed by the governor’s plan and hopes to change to formula.
Stamford Interim Superintendent of Schools Winifred Hamilton is on board with the governor’s revisions. Hamilton commended Malloy for recognizing the need to allocate additional ECS funding in urban centers.
Print companies may be recruited to run off proposed school funding breakdowns for local school district residents to review. Under Malloy’s plan, 130 towns and cities would see their education cost-sharing grants increase during the 2012-13 school year, while state grants would remain unchanged for 39 towns. No community would be allocated fewer dollars than it currently receives.