We are grateful that Governor Lamont understands the importance of public education, and his commitment to increasing ECS funding is a step in the right direction. We look forward to working with him and our state legislators to ensure funding includes addressing the dire needs of special education students and competitive compensation for our educators who continue to face unprecedented challenges that demand action.
For too long, our districts have experienced increasing caseloads of special education students and a persistent shortage of special education teachers. CEA has long advocated for increased state support to help districts, especially in urban areas, manage the growing workload and costs associated with providing quality services for students with special needs.
Governor Lamont has acknowledged the need to address the educator shortage crisis facing our state. We commend his efforts to expand the paid mentorship program for aspiring educators and continue diversifying the teaching workforce by bringing more men into the profession. These initiatives must be paired with broader investments in competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and adequate resources to not only recruit new teachers but also stop the exodus of talented educators from our profession. When classrooms are understaffed, students are underserved.
Public education is the foundation of our communities, our economy, and our democracy. While we join the governor in urging everyone to thank teachers for all they do, gratitude must be accompanied by action. As Senator Toni Walker highlighted during the opening session, educators like 2025 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Julia Miller, who was in attendance today, play a critical role in the success of our communities, our state, and our future workforce.
We look forward to working with Governor Lamont and our elected officials to elevate education this legislative session. By increasing special education funding, ensuring competitive salaries for teachers, and putting real resources where our priorities are, we can address the most pressing challenges and ensure our public education system delivers for all of our students.
