The Governor's budget proposal includes historic investments in both K-12 schools and early childhood education providers
(Hartford, Conn.) – Governor Ned Lamont today expressed support for directing state funding for educational services directly to classrooms, ensuring that the funds are used to hire teachers and purchase necessary classroom equipment. He said students would benefit most if used to support them.
The fiscal year 2025 budget proposal the governor submitted to the Legislature earlier this month recommends:
- Increases Educational Expenditure Contribution (ECS) funds for K-12 school districts as follows: $128.8 million Over the current financial year.and
- Increase state funding for early childhood education by: $43.4 million Over the current financial year.
The increase in ECS funding will allow Connecticut to achieve full funding for the formula by fiscal year 2026, a full two years earlier than the original 10-year goal. In addition, increased funding for early childhood education means that Care 4 Kids can reach more families, provide direct access to child care providers, and support the expansion of classroom services through additional teacher recruitment and purchases. We will be able to assist you. Equipped with the necessary equipment for the classroom.
Together, they represent some of the largest investments ever made for Connecticut's K-12 schools and early childhood education providers.
“Money spent on education is most effective when it goes into the classroom.” Governor Lamont said:. “I am proposing to leverage critical state resources to ensure that our state's children receive the classroom supports they need to succeed. We can achieve this by increasing ECS funding to schools and working with schools to fully disburse the remaining $400 million in ARP ESSER funding to support the expansion of early childhood education services. The success of our system depends in large part on the success of our early childhood education system, and we desperately need to expand these services, including hiring more teachers. Our state has the resources to There are thousands of families who are unable to enroll their children in early childhood education due to shortages. This year, we have an opportunity to increase access to education for our youngest residents, and we should do so.”
“The governor’s proposed budget increases funding for classrooms and provides resources that can make a real difference in improving student outcomes.” said Jeffrey Beckham, Director of the Office of Policy and Management and Chief Budget Advisor to Governor Lamont.. “The current budget disguises city aid as education funding, essentially converting the aid budgeted for Magnet and Voag students into classrooms rather than adding resources for classroom learning.” Our proposal would increase ECS funding, fully fund charter schools and VO-AG schools at the statutory rate, and increase funding for both magnet schools and open choice schools. Increases per-student funding for the nationally recognized LEAP program, which supports the continuation of free school breakfast across the state, subsidizes students' reduced-price meal shares, and addresses chronic absenteeism. If the General Assembly is serious about ensuring that every student in Connecticut succeeds, it will support the governor’s proposal.”
The following graph shows the increase in ECS funding that Governor Lamont is proposing to send to K-12 school districts in fiscal year 2025 and the balance of federal ARP ESSER funds available to K-12 schools in that year. is showing.
