What People Are Saying: Preventing Cuts to CT Education

NORWICH, CT – Last week, Rep. Joe Courtney sent a memo to Connecticut educators, families, and school leaders detailing how the final, bipartisan Fiscal Year 2024 education budget prevented dire cuts to education – a complete reversal from the original House GOP-passed bill in November.

This is what local parents, educators, and school leaders are saying in response:   

Parent and Director of KITE: “As the Director of KITE (Enfield’s Early Childhood Collaborative) and a mom of school aged children, I am encouraged to see the bi-partisan collaboration in order to support educators, families, and their children. As experts in the field, KITE knows that early education is foundational and most critical in those first 5 years to our children who will become CT’s future constituents and workforce leaders. We say we value families and that children matter. This effort demonstrates an investment into families like mine and sends a message that children and those who work with children-matter. This is the power of collaboration,” said Brianna Beckstrand.

Superintendent of Vernon Public Schools: “This is Terrific News!  Increased funding for our neediest children – Title I Schools and Special Education – is a powerful commitment from the Federal Government to support local school districts.  Special Thanks to our CT Delegation for their advocacy and leadership – it is truly appreciated.  Thank you for your continued support and collaboration with districts,” said Dr. Joseph Macary.

Superintendent of Thompson Public Schools: “Thompson Public Schools avoided a federal grant reduction in the amount of $53,176 thanks to the efforts of Congressman Joe Courtney and his bipartisan colleagues that prevented drastic cuts to the Labor, Health & Human Services and Education funding. At a time where one in five children have been diagnosed with dyslexia, a language based learning disability, this shortfall of federal funds would force the district to eliminate a Title 1 reading specialist which would be devastating for our district. 

“Thompson Public Schools have been classified as an Alliance district (one of 36 low performing school district’s in CT) and it is essential that we maintain the reading supports currently in place to provide support to students - especially in this post-covid era.

“In addition, our district has benefited from funding through Workforce Innovation funding through Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board which allowed fourteen students to become Certified Nursing Assistants while still enrolled in high school. This program provided our students with the necessary training to enter the workforce in a job shortage area and a pathway towards a medical career. Cutting any funding in Workforce Innovation is a detriment to our students and the Nation’s economy,” said Dr. Melinda A. Smith, M. Ed. 

Connecticut Association of Boards of Education: “The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education appreciates the positive gains in education funding and knows our elected officials, Congressman Courtney and Congresswomen DeLauro fought the battle for Connecticut’s students so they can have all the skills to succeed,” said Patrice McCarthy, Executive Director of CABE  

The Connecticut Education Association said: “Teachers and parents across Connecticut and the country are breathing a collective sigh of relief knowing that proposed draconian cuts to the U.S. Department of Education were rejected and that important programs will continue, ensuring our schools—especially those in low-income communities—receive the resources needed to help our students succeed. We are grateful to Representatives Courtney and DeLauro for spearheading these efforts and to the entire Connecticut congressional delegation for continuing to fight for the students in our state and all across this great country,” said CEA President Kate Dias.

The American Federation of Teachers said: “We are pleased to see that negotiations yielded a bill that still finds a way to increase investments in K-12 education’s foundational Title I formula grant for low-income students and communities, makes a significant increase in child care funding, funds programs like experiential learning and community schools that provide real solutions, and rejects the worst of the MAGA Republicans’ demands,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. 

Read the memo here.

Read the memo Rep. Courtney sent in November here. 

Read the press release Rep. Courtney sent after House passage of the final FY24 budget here. 

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