Connecticut’s main education funding formula is built on a per-student amount that hasn’t been meaningfully updated since 2013. While costs for transportation, staffing, utilities, and special education continue to rise, the state’s funding structure has not kept pace with inflation or the real cost of educating students. As a result, more financial pressure is shifting onto local communities and taxpayers.

Towns like Hamden are already facing difficult budget decisions, with significant increases driven by transportation and other operational expenses. When state funding falls behind reality, schools are forced to make tough choices and residents are left carrying a larger share of the burden through local taxes.

We are calling on state leaders to modernize Connecticut’s education funding formula so it reflects current costs, student needs, and long-term sustainability. Updating the foundation amount, improving support for special education, and building inflation adjustments into the system will help ensure fair, predictable funding for students and communities across the state.

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On Feb. 17 at 3 PM, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee will hold a public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 budget adjustments and how Connecticut funds our schools. This matters for towns across the state, but it is especially important for Hamden.

The Funding Formula Is Outdated

Connecticut’s main school funding formula is still built on a $11,525 per-student foundation that hasn’t been updated since 2013. It doesn’t automatically adjust for inflation and no longer reflects the real cost of educating students. If it had simply kept pace with rising costs, that number would be closer to $16,000 per student today.

Costs Continue to Rise

Districts are dealing with rising expenses for transportation, staffing, utilities, materials, and special education. Special education remains inconsistently supported at the state level and is not fully accounted for in the core funding formula, which shifts more pressure onto local taxpayers.

The Impact Is Statewide

This problem reflects a broader statewide issue with an outdated funding structure. When state funding falls behind reality, the burden shifts back to towns and residents.

How the State Funds Education

The Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula is Connecticut’s main state funding system for public K–12 schools. It determines how much education aid each town receives from the state based on student need and local wealth.

1. Foundation Amount: This is the starting dollar value the state says it should cost to educate one student. Right now it’s $11,525 per student, a number that has not been fundamentally updated since 2013. The foundation is multiplied by the number of students, then adjusted using the factors below.

2. Student Need Weights: The formula adds extra funding for students who typically require more resources, such as students from low-income households, English learners, and students needing additional academic support. The idea is that districts with higher needs receive more aid.

3. Town Wealth Adjustment: The state looks at a town’s property values (grand list) and income levels. Wealthier towns receive a smaller state share because they are assumed to have a stronger local tax base. Less wealthy towns get a higher percentage of state funding.

4. Phase-Ins and Caps: Even when the formula says a town should receive more (or less), the state often phases changes in slowly using caps, floors, and political adjustments. This is why actual funding doesn’t always match what the formula says.

What the ECS formula does NOT fully account for:

Inflation: The foundation amount does not automatically adjust for rising costs.
Special education: Most costs are handled through separate reimbursement systems that often lag behind real expenses.
Rising operational costs: Rapid increases in transportation, staffing, and services are not built into year-to-year adjustments.
 
What You Can Do

Please consider doing one or all of the following:

Attend/Watch the Meeting

Attend the Appropriations Committee Hearing on the Governor’s FY27 Budget Adjustments on Feb. 17th at 3 PM:

In person: 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106. Go to the Legislative Office Building (often called the “LOB”), check in with security, and follow signs for Room 2C.

Online: The hearing will also be available on Zoom and streamed on the Connecticut General Assembly YouTube channel. Links will be available via the Calendar closer to the date.

Sign & Share the Petition

Sign the petition supporting updates to Connecticut’s school funding system.

Submit Public Testimony

Submit testimony in writing or sign up to do so live (in person or on Zoom) explaining how education funding impacts you and your family.

Important Notes About Public Testimony:

Anything you include, including your address or personal details, will be publicly available, so only share what you’re comfortable making public.
Requests to speak or submit written testimony must be submitted by 3 PM the day before the hearing (Feb. 16). If you sign up to speak in person or on Zoom, you’ll receive instructions that evening with your expected time and next steps.

Email & Call State Officials

Hamden Councilman Doug Foley created a helpful email and calling script (including contact info for elected officials) that residents can use when reaching out to state leaders. Consider using it as a guide when contacting Governor Ned Lamont, your local State Senator, State Representative, members of the Appropriations Committee, and members of the Education Committee.

Spread the Word

Share this information with friends and family in Hamden and other towns across Connecticut.

Your Voice Can Be the Difference

Across Connecticut, Boards of Education and town leaders are preparing to speak up, and members of the Hamden Legislative Council and Board of Education are currently discussing ways to show support.

But what truly moves the needle is residents showing up in large numbers. When families, taxpayers, and community members speak directly about how these decisions affect them, it changes the conversation. We saw firsthand during budget season how public engagement can shape outcomes. If you’re able, consider adding your voice and encouraging others to do the same.

Feel free to share this with friends and family in surrounding towns. The more voices, the stronger the message. Let’s do this for the future of our children.

“Each child belongs to all of us and they will bring us a tomorrow in direct relation to the responsibility we have shown to them.” — Maya Angelou

Thank you!

Councilwoman Grace Teodosio