Following State OK For Additional Education Funding, More Municipal Aid, Mayor Applauds Action

NEW HAVEN, CT — Tuesday, Gov. Ned Lamont and state legislative leaders announced plans to earmark an additional $170 million in education funding to Connecticut cities and towns, drawing from the state’s Affordability Fund.

They also noted that municipalities can expect an additional $100 million in aid.

Given he's long been banging the drum for an increase of state education funding, Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement:

"These additional state funds are desperately needed, deeply appreciated, and will make a significant difference in the city’s ability to provide critical services for our residents and New Haven Public School’s ability to provide educational support for our students.

Costs have been rising in New Haven and for municipalities and school districts across Connecticut. New Haven Public Schools is facing nearly a $13 million deficit for this school year and forecasting an even larger deficit for next school year. To meet these rising costs, the city has increased our local contribution to New Haven Public Schools by over 60 percent over the last six years – and our school district has done the hard work of closing and merging schools and reducing staff and programming.

However, we cannot and should not bear these costs alone – which is why public school families, educators and municipal leaders from across the state have been urging the state to address the funding crisis facing public education and municipalities in Connecticut.

Our voices have been heard.

While we await the final amounts for each municipality, this new investment will represent millions of dollars in additional state aid for our city and school district. I want to thank Governor Lamont, Senate President Looney, Speaker Ritter and the entire New Haven State Delegation for this commitment.

We also know that much more work remains to ensure there is an appropriate long-term fix to the state’s outdated Education Cost Sharing formula so that our students and schools are adequately and equitably funded moving forward. We look forward to working with our state leaders towards this shared goal."