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Comptroller and para advocates push permanent extension and charter inclusion for PERA subsidy

Connecticut General Assembly Education Committee · February 24, 2026

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Summary

Comptroller Scanlon and paraeducator groups told the committee the PERA subsidy has reduced turnover and urged permanently funding the $10M program and clarifying eligibility so charter paraeducators are included.

Comptroller Sean Scanlon and a coalition of paraeducator groups and charter representatives urged the committee to make permanent the program that subsidizes paraprofessionals’ health insurance and to clarify statutory language so that paraeducators employed in all public schools — including charter schools — can access the subsidy.

Scanlon summarized the PERA program’s early results: an initial $5M appropriation in 2023, an increase to $10M in 2024 and assistance last year to roughly 7,300 paras across more than 160 districts with average savings between $800–$1,200 per person. Speakers said the subsidy improved retention and workforce stability and that charter paraeducators, who perform the same duties in many classrooms, are currently excluded by some statutory language and should be included to maintain equity across public schools.

Advocates urged that the proposed statutory language be amended from ‘‘paraprofessionals employed by local or regional boards of education’’ to ‘‘paraprofessionals employed in public schools’’ so that charter school employees are explicitly eligible. Comptroller and advocates said the program should be an ongoing annual appropriation rather than a one‑off grant. Members asked for how many charter paras are affected; charter leaders said they would provide counts to the committee.

Next steps: Department and comptroller’s teams will follow up with data on charter para counts and program operational details for committee consideration.