My name is [FIRST NAME] and I'm a resident of [YOUR TOWN]. The COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years has highlighted the vast inequities that have existed in Connecticut’s public schools for far too long. While some students have access to the resources they need, others are struggling. Recently, I learned there is a staggering funding gap between Connecticut districts that serve largely white student populations and districts that serve more students of color. Districts with student populations that are less than 25% students of color receive $713 million more in education funding than districts whose student populations are more than 25% students of color. But student race isn’t the only example of a gap in Connecticut education funding. Higher-wealth districts spend between $3,500 and $4,000 more per student than lower-wealth districts, despite lower-wealth districts frequently serving students with greater learning needs. These gaps must be closed. Connecticut is better than these alarming disparities and I urge you to help eliminate these funding gaps by passing a student-centered funding system that fully funds all students based on their learning needs. All students deserve to have the resources to learn and succeed – no matter their race or economic status. Help make equitable education funding a reality and support a student-centered funding system. Thank you for your time.

My name is [FIRST NAME] and I'm a resident of [YOUR TOWN]. The racial and economic gaps in Connecticut education funding are staggering. Students in high-need, lower-wealth districts are not receiving the same education as students in lower-need, more affluent districts across the state. For far too long, we have seen generations of students, many of whom are Black and brown, have limited opportunities in and outside of the classroom due to a lack of resources. While recent legislative changes to how Connecticut funds education are helping, bold action is needed to close these gaps and truly provide our state’s students with the education they need and deserve. The time to act is now! The Connecticut General Assembly must step up and finally provide equitable education funding for all of Connecticut’s students. I urge you to help eliminate Connecticut’s racial and economic funding gaps and support a student-centered funding system that fully funds all students based on their individual learning needs. Thank you for your time and support.

My name is [FIRST NAME] and I'm a resident of [YOUR TOWN]. The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for many of us, especially our K-12 students. From disrupted classrooms and staff shortages to distance learning and changing schedules, students are dealing with a variety of academic and social-emotional obstacles. Now more than ever, our school districts need the financial resources to help students face these challenges. Unfortunately, federal COVID relief funds are set to expire in September 2024 – creating a fiscal cliff for districts that could negatively impact students and communities. Unless action is taken, the ending of this funding could mean discontinuing programs, eliminating teacher and staff positions, and a lack of academic and mental health services for students. The Connecticut General Assembly must step up and help prevent districts from falling off this fiscal cliff by fully funding the ECS grant when the federal COVID dollars expire. Providing these necessary funds would allow districts to be able to invest in support services and staff that will make a real tangible difference in the lives and education of our students. Thank you for your time and support.

My name is [FIRST NAME] and I'm a resident of [YOUR TOWN]. As I have learned more about Connecticut's school funding system, I have learned that it is, by design, complicated. We don't fund all of our students in the same way and instead have more than 10 different funding formulas. Of these formulas, only the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula and the state charter school formula take student learning needs into account. All of our students deserve to be funded based on their needs, regardless of the type of public school they attend. I know this is a topic of conversation this legislative session, and I'm urging you to take every single student into account when you're making decisions about how to fund education. It's time to put actions behind our words and provide equitable funding for ALL of Connecticut’s students. I'm counting on you to make this happen, and urge you to support a student-centered funding system that will provide our students with the equitable resources they need and deserve. Thank you for your time and support.