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Waterbury Promise touts college persistence and scholarships; commissioners press for diversified funding
Summary
Waterbury Promise told the board it now supports roughly 880 scholars at 23 Connecticut colleges and has disbursed more than $30,000 in emergency aid; commissioners expressed concern the district remains the program's largest funder and urged more corporate sponsorships.
Kean Deal, executive director of Waterbury Promise, told the Waterbury Board of Education that the community‑based scholarship and college‑success program now supports about 880 scholars attending 23 Connecticut colleges and universities.
"We have 880 students in our program attending 23 different colleges across Connecticut," Deal said, and described program services that go beyond scholarships: ongoing coaching, emergency funding for laptops and books, FAS A assistance and partnerships that include college‑matching grants. Deal said the organization has dispersed more than $30,000 in emergency funding to help scholars stay enrolled.
Commissioners welcomed the results but pushed on long‑term financing. Commissioner Van Stone noted the board and city have been the largest financial contributors and said the district provided about $750,000 last year; he urged the nonprofit to secure sustainable corporate partners so the board does not continue to shoulder the bulk of the program’s costs. Others asked about expanding non‑college pathways and how long a student can pause their scholarship; staff said students may take up to two semesters off and exceptions are considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
Deal and his development director described partnerships and matching scholarship arrangements with several Connecticut colleges that offer up to $5,000 in matching support. Deal said Waterbury Promise’s persistence and retention metrics are strong: ‘‘Our retention rate is 93%. So students are staying in the program and our persistence rate is 95%.’’ Commissioners asked whether the Promise programs across Connecticut are coordinating with the state; Deal said program leaders have formed a task force with other local Promise programs to advocate for state policy and funding supports.
The presentation was informational; commissioners asked for additional detail about long‑term fundraising plans and recognition of other local high schools’ students not currently represented in Promise outreach.
