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Public commenters urge Connecticut to raise per-pupil aid as New Haven faces cuts
Summary
Two public speakers, including a Bridgeport board member and Faith Act for Education representative, urged a $2,000 per-pupil increase to the state's ECS formula and called for coordinated district advocacy to pressure state leaders for more education funding.
Two public commenters at the Nov. 24 Board of Education meeting urged stronger state funding for public schools, saying flat state aid is forcing painful local cuts.
Joseph Sikalovic, who introduced himself as a Bridgeport board member speaking on his own behalf, told board members the state’s education cost-sharing formula has not adjusted for inflation and urged a $2,000 increase to the base aid. "The ECS has remained flat...the base aid has remained the same at 11,575 thousand dollars since 2013," Sikalovic said, saying local districts are being forced to cut programs to balance budgets.
William (Willie) Medina, identified as a member of Faith Act for Education and a first-term Bridgeport board member, told the board districts should "stand together" in advocacy and called on officials to pursue additional revenue. "They're holding $6,000,000,000 hostage, and we need to go after that," he said, urging collaboration among superintendents, board chairs and community groups.
Both speakers asked for coordinated pressure on state leaders and encouraged community groups such as the NAACP to mobilize on funding legislation. The board did not take action on the request during the meeting; speakers’ remarks were referred to administration for review under the public-comment rules.
