Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday that his two-year budget plan will boost state education spending by $152 million and not reduce education funding to any towns or cities.
During a news State Capitol news conference, Malloy said his budget—to be unveiled Wednesday — will significantly increase the state’s share of education aid to 117 municipalities, while maintaining level funding to the remaining cities and towns.
The additional aid also will target, he said, resources and support to the state’s 30 underperforming school districts.
Malloys proposal allows municipal leaders to breathe a bit easier, as they feared the possibility of major funding cuts to education as state lawmakers grapple with billion dollar deficits for the next two fiscal years.
Education spending typically makes up a majority of city and town budgets. Still, municipalities could face other funding cuts from the state when Malloy unveils his budget plan Wednesday,
Under Malloy’s education proposal, there will be a $50.7 million increase in ECS aid for fiscal 2014 and a $101.5 million increase in fiscal 2015.
As part of planning, the 30 underperforming school districts, known as Alliance Districts, will develop comprehensive reform strategies that emphasize three key areas: teacher evaluation and support; implementation of the Common Core State Standards; and the turnaround of lower performing schools.
Malloy also announced a new collaboration between the State Department of Education and the two teachers unions, CEA and AFT-CT, to create a partnership between local districts and unions to attract and retain top teaching candidates to Connecticut schools.
Funding for recruiting and retaining top teachers will be allocated to two or three districts through a competitive grant process. Malloy said he expects to make $2 million to $3 million available for these efforts.
