We commend the legislature for responding to the urgent concerns raised by teachers, parents, and advocates regarding the crisis in special education funding by approving an additional $40 million for special education services this year. This is a critical first step toward addressing the severe shortages in special education services that our schools are struggling with right now. While these additional funds do not cover the full amount of special education excess costs, they do provide some much-needed relief to impacted districts.
Teachers and school staff have been raising alarms for years about the growing need for special education services and the funding required to meet those needs. The heartbreaking stories we hear every day from parents and teachers highlight the desperate need for more funding to ensure that every student—no matter their ability—has access to the education they deserve. The legislature has heard those concerns and chose to take action now—rather than delaying relief for two years, as the governor’s proposal suggests.
We strongly urge Governor Lamont to sign this bill immediately. The heartfelt pleas from educators and parents cannot go unanswered for another two years. We cannot afford to wait while our classrooms continue to face teacher shortages and while special education students lose out on the services that they deserve and that the law requires.
Connecticut is one of the richest states in the country and currently has a $356.4 million budget surplus, $58.6 million over the earlier budgeted surplus of $297.9 million.
We call on the governor to put that surplus to work for our students, who can’t afford to wait any longer.
