A recent poll commissioned by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) reveals that nearly 75% of Connecticut voters are satisfied with the quality of public education in the state. However, only about 40% believe that the state government adequately funds K-12 education. The survey, which included 400 registered voters, also found that two-thirds of respondents support equal funding across all school districts—a longstanding challenge for Connecticut.

The poll indicates that 51% of voters are willing to accept state tax increases to enhance school funding. Additionally, 60% of respondents support reallocating existing state resources to prioritize education. These findings come amid ongoing debates about education funding in Connecticut, where disparities between wealthier and high-need districts have persisted for decades.

Earlier this month, mayors and superintendents from Connecticut's largest cities, including New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Stamford, called for an additional $545 million in state funding for the upcoming year. They argue that this increase is necessary to address the rising costs of educating high-need students, such as those eligible for free and reduced lunch, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness. Urban districts in particular have felt the brunt of rising costs, which have left many schools struggling to provide basic resources, let alone the additional support required for their most vulnerable students.

Connecticut's education funding disparities are closely tied to its heavy reliance on local property taxes to fund schools, a system that disproportionately benefits wealthier communities while underfunding those with a smaller tax base. Advocates argue that systemic reform is essential to closing this funding gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of their ZIP code, has access to a high-quality education.

The state legislature approved a budget last year that included a $150 million increase in K-12 education funding for the 2024-25 school year. This investment was intended to address student learning loss, support mental health services, combat teacher shortages, and expand after-school and summer programs. While this increase was a historic step forward, many education leaders and advocates caution that it falls far short of addressing the deeper inequities embedded in the current funding system.

Despite these efforts, the CCM poll suggests that many voters feel more needs to be done to ensure equitable and adequate funding for all Connecticut school districts. CSEA and our allies for education reform have pointed out that without addressing the state’s restrictive fiscal guardrails, significant progress is unlikely. These guardrails, which limit how much the state can spend and save, have often been criticized for preventing Connecticut from making bold investments in its public education system.

At the same time, there is growing support for progressive tax reform, which would ask the wealthiest individuals and corporations in the state to contribute their fair share to funding public schools. Proponents argue that such reforms are necessary to break the cycle of underfunding and provide the resources needed to address disparities. As Connecticut grapples with these challenges, the conversation around education funding is likely to remain a central issue in the 2025 legislative session.

If Connecticut is to secure a brighter future for its students, it will require not only greater financial investment but also a collective commitment to addressing the systemic barriers that have held back progress for too long. From overhauling the education cost-sharing formula to rethinking how the state allocates its resources, the time for action is now. The call for additional funding is not merely a request for money; it is a demand for justice and opportunity for all Connecticut children.