Connecticut's K-12 public education system is facing an unprecedented crisis. This issue spans rural, urban, affluent, and impoverished districts alike, threatening the educational foundation for all students. At a time when our schools should be investing in our students to address the learning and achievement gaps still present from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are instead seeing rampant divestment leading to larger class sizes and less student support. Without immediate and substantial intervention, our state's educational future is at serious risk.

In Brookfield, CSEA paraeducators are worried about recent budget decisions which have led to the  Board of Finance voted to reduce the education budget by $700,000, a decision that has raised concerns among educators and parents. This reduction comes after a failed referendum which led to further financial scrutiny and adjustments. The impact of these cuts will be felt across various school programs, potentially affecting the quality of education provided to students. Parents and community members are worried that such cuts will diminish the resources available to students, including essential support services and extracurricular activities.

Danbury Schools were initially projected to have a reduction of at least 100 staff members due to budget constraints. In a district with hundreds of vacancies already directly impacting student success, an additional 100 would have been a nail in the coffin. After much member engagement from CSEA paraeductors and tutors, the district ultimately managed to retain most positions, losing only two staff members. This outcome, while better than anticipated, still reflects the precarious financial situation that the district is navigating. It is a clear indication that without increased state funding, even larger districts with significant needs will continue to struggle to provide high-quality education to all students.

The impending end of ARPA and ESSER funds adds another layer of urgency to these local crises. These federal funds have been pivotal in helping districts like Brookfield and Danbury manage the impacts of the pandemic, providing much-needed resources to support student learning and wellbeing. As these funds dry up, the need for state intervention becomes even more critical. Connecticut must step up to fill the funding gap to prevent further educational decline.

One of the biggest obstacles to that funding are the state's fiscal guardrails, which Governor Lamont champions. These guardrails, intended to maintain fiscal discipline, are preventing the state from appropriating the billions in surplus funds that could be used to support our public education system. Adjusting these guardrails makes economic sense and is essential for the well-being of our students and the future of our state.

We cannot continue to justify historic savings for future generations when our current generation is being so immensely divested. 

Throughout the summer, board of education union members, community and parent groups will be planning a coordinated, statewide approach to addressing this crisis. In order to be successful we must have members from across councils join in on this work. If you are a parent in one of the districts across the state facing budget cuts or layoffs, please reach out to Drew Stoner, Communications Director, at DStoner@csea760.com to share your story and learn about ways to get involved in this fight.