CT Mayors and Superintendents Demand Increased Education Funding and Reforms to State ‘Fiscal Guardrails’

On Monday morning, the mayors and school superintendents from Connecticut’s five largest cities met at the state Capitol in Hartford. Their main message? They need more money for their schools.

These leaders—coming from Bridgeport, Stamford, Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury—backed a recommendation from the 119K Commission. They’re asking for $545 million to boost education cost-sharing funding across the state.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker pointed out that the current funding formula offers only $11,525 per student. This amount hasn’t changed since 2013, and it doesn’t account for inflation. As a result, cities have had to raise taxes just to cover basic education needs. Many students in urban areas are classified as “high needs,” meaning they are English learners, have disabilities, or qualify for free or reduced lunch.

“In the last five years, we increased our funding by 50%,” Elicker explained. “We made this commitment to support our students, and now we need the state to do the same.”

He emphasized that adjustments to the state’s fiscal policies are necessary for this investment. Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails limit how much the state can spend, which has drawn criticism. Some advocates are suggesting that the state should look beyond these constraints to support education and essential services.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim also voiced his concerns. “The guardrails serve a purpose, but the demand is high right now. We really need the state to step in,” he said. Acting Superintendent Royce Avery highlighted that a staggering 83% of their student population falls into the high-needs category.

Hartford’s Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez mentioned that they aren’t looking for extravagant resources. “We need the basics,” she stated, noting there are 188 teacher vacancies in Hartford, many in special education.

The staffing shortages are alarming. Elicker mentioned, “In New Haven, we have one school counselor for every 412 students, one social worker for 358, and one psychologist for 595.” Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski shared that they have 42 special education teacher vacancies, which is over 20% of their workforce requirement.

All the leaders agree that without state support, things will only get worse. Elicker cautioned that not investing in education now could lead to serious financial issues later, including the potential costs of youth incarceration.

At another press conference, House Speaker Matt Ritter acknowledged the funding challenges in education. He mentioned that some issues could be addressed without changing the fiscal guardrails, while others might require adjustments. “We’re always looking for ways to improve,” he said.

Governor Ned Lamont noted that municipal aid has increased above inflation in recent years. He planned to meet with the mayors to discuss their concerns and explore potential solutions. Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam made it clear that the primary issue is funding, stating, “What we lack are the resources.”

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