February 9, 2012

WINDSOR, WINDSOR LOCKS EDUCATION FUNDING UP UNDER GOV.’S PLAN

State Representative Peggy Sayers, who serves Windsor and Windsor Locks in the General Assembly, announced that both towns would see a substantial increase in state education funding under Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal that was unveiled as the 2012 legislative session convened February 8.

Sayers said Malloy’s comprehensive proposal for reforming education in Connecticut from early childhood through college includes an additional $50 million in Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funding to school districts throughout the state.

Under the proposal, Windsor would receive an additional $306,985 or 2.66% while Windsor Locks would see an increase of $252,306 or 5.42%.

“The Governor said he wanted to invest more in education and he certainly backed it up,” said Sayers, a member of the Appropriations and Higher Education committees. “I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in support of this proposed funding for our communities.”

Malloy’s proposal addresses many areas in need of reform, including: increasing the access to and quality of early childhood education slots; allocating new funding and implementing new approaches that will improve low performing schools; expanding slots for public schools of choice including charter schools; removing red tape and other barriers that stand in the way of local school districts; repositioning our vo-tech schools to promote job readiness and job linkages; and improving teacher preparation so professionals have the skills they need to excel when they enter the classroom.

“It is critical that we get to the schools that are really struggling—and do it quickly,” said Governor Malloy. “We can get good teachers into classrooms, and hire the best superintendents and administrators, but we must address the overarching resources issue and fund the programs that will directly reach the kids who are at a disadvantage because their school is underperforming.”