Fearing deep cuts in state programs, several hundred parents, students, school board members, and school district leaders from urban districts urged state legislators to increase education funding in Governor M. Jodi Rell’s proposed two-year budget.

Representing some of the state’s poorest school districts, the large group --- members a new advocacy group called the Urban Education Coalition -- made a dramatic impact at the State Capitol by packing to hearing rooms to overflow capacity. They travelled to Hartford on February 11 for an evening hearing before the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee.

The coalition was formed recently in response to concerns about the governor’s budget proposal to maintain Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grants to local public schools at the current level for the next two years.

The governor also proposed massive cuts in vital programs at the State Department of Education, such as grants to priority school districts, early childhood and after-school programs, a high school technology initiative, and several reading improvement programs.

Districts represented by the coalition include Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Waterbury, and Windham. Ken Folan, chair of the Windham Board of Education, calls the governor’s level-funding proposal of ECS “a definite back-door cut” for towns and cities. New Britain parent Sharon Beloin-Saavedra, who organized the coalition and who is also president of the New Britain Board of Education, told the committee that Connecticut “is at the crossroads of a moral decision to be made on behalf of the neediest children.” She told the committee that the governor’s level-funded budget essentially would mean a decrease in the amount of state education aid the city receives -- and severe consequences for schools and students, including massive teacher layoffs.

Ann Speyer, another New Britain parent and a New Britain teacher for 20 years, delivered a message to the committee that applies to many urban school districts in dire need of financial help.

“Our requested education budget is 6.6 percent higher this year than last year. If state aid to education is held at last year’s level, we will begin $7.8 million behind,” said Speyer. “Add to that the $12 million cut that the 2008-09 budget took the year before. Now we are nearly $20 million behind in funding a decent education program.”

She told the committee that the governor’s proposed cut to municipalities for the payment-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) fund for state property  “will further grind down New Britain’s already weak ability” to raise revenue for schools and city services. The city provides a large amount of land for Central Connecticut State University, which makes it untaxable.

Speyer urged the committee to take another look at the governor’s proposed budget to find the financial support “that cities and their schools so desperately need” and to help those “who are hurting the worst.”

For too many budget years she said the city has cut back the number of paraprofessionals, guidance counselors, and social workers while increasing the number of students per teacher.

“This can’t go on. We need help,” Speyer said. “There are still great areas of wealth in Connecticut. It is time that they are tapped to contribute to the future of our state.”

She implored the committee to find the funds to support the appropriate education for all of Connecticut’s children, adding that without these funds the costs of running underfunded educational systems will come back to hurt all the residents of Connecticut.