Support state and federal funding to secure the future of our students and our schools
“Support Our Schools.” That was the unified message from hundreds of educators, students, parents, lawmakers, and community members across the state who wore red today in a powerful show of solidarity for state and federal funding for public schools.
The Connecticut Education Association’s (CEA) Champions for Public Education Day of Action included a march to the Legislative Office Building, a press conference, and a statewide call to action to underscore urgent concerns about proposed federal education funding cuts that threaten to strip essential resources from Connecticut schools.
With the Legislative Office Building atrium filled with a sea of red for a news conference, CEA President Kate Dias called for urgent action, stressing the critical need for increased investment in education.
“Today, we sent a clear message: our public schools must be protected,” said Dias. “The loss of federal funding would be devastating, stripping essential resources from students who need them the most. But today, we proved that educators, families, lawmakers, and community members will not stand by in silence.”
The Connecticut Day of Action is part of a broader nationwide initiative drawing attention to the damaging consequences of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and slashing federal education funding—decisions that would negatively impact millions of students nationwide and could cost the state over $321 million in federal education funding.
“Education is the cornerstone of growth,” she continued. “It’s an investment not just in the present but in the future of our workforce, our economy, and, most importantly, our students. Every time we walk away from the responsibility of funding, supporting, and making sure our students have everything they need. we walk away from the promise of Connecticut’s future.”
Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), said, “The attacks on public education in Washington are atrocious. “Our most vulnerable children are in danger, and the efficacy of our public schools is under attack. Today is a call to action for every one of us.”
“It is imperative that we address these issues, especially working conditions of teachers,” said State Representative Ron Napoli, who represents Waterbury, one of the Connecticut districts that stands to lose the greatest amount of federal funding ($23.8 million). He pointed out that many of his friends were teachers, but “most of them are not teaching today because of the additional work that has been thrust upon them.”
Patrice McCarthy, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE), expressed concern about the broader implications of federal cuts. “It’s astonishing to hear that funds for public education are going to be slashed at the same time as the federal government wants to interfere with the policy decisions we make on the state and local levels. In this era of great uncertainty on the federal level, we need to provide the stability in Connecticut that our students deserve.”
“It is not efficient or effective to make federal education cuts that will trickle down to every area,” said CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey. “When we look at what we are doing to our public education system on the federal level, it will be a tremendous loss, and we need to stand together, support our public schools and our educators, and say this is not OK.”
“When we are stripping away what is estimated to be just shy of a half-billion dollars in federal funds from our schools, that impacts every child in every school,” said State Rep Jennifer Leeper, chair of the legislature’s Education Committee. “We are prioritizing getting every dollar we can into our education cost sharing formula because we know that’s how we manage class sizes, that’s how we manage caseloads, and how we ensure every child has access to a high-quality public education.”
One day after Governor Lamont vetoed the $40 million in special education funding passed by the legislature, Dias announced that there is a compromise in the works.
“I am pleased to report that the Governor is working with our legislators to figure out a path forward that restores money, brings it back to the schools and does what we need which is to support our students with disabilities.”
“Our public education system is phenomenal when we support it, when we pay for it, when we recognize that there is no other greater investment in this nation than in our public schools,” said Joslyn DeLancey.
Dias concluded with a powerful reminder: “Our students deserve more, not less. The voices raised today will not be ignored. We will continue the fight for the future of public education—because our kids are worth it.”
Throughout the day, social media was flooded with messages of support, with participants sharing photos using the hashtag #ProtectOurKids. Many pledged to continue the fight for fair and adequate education funding, vowing that this Day of Action was only the beginning.
For more information and to stay involved in advocacy efforts and become a Champion for Public Education, visit cea.org/edchampions, or follow the conversation online with #ProtectOurKids.
