Help give our kids a fighting chance

Opportunities in public education too often determined by ZIP code

Public school education is the foundation of a thriving, equitable society and the mechanism to empower young people and communities to rise above systemic inequality. A high-functioning public school system, whether rural or urban, also contributes to a robust workforce that keeps us at the forefront of global competition and benefits citizens throughout the state.

Yet, in the state of Connecticut and throughout the United States, opportunities in public education are too often determined by zip code and a profound inequality in public school funding.

There is a fundamental inequity in the design of public education funding, restricted to borders of municipalities, which inherently favors affluent communities, where higher median incomes and higher property values generate substantial revenue for schools. Unfortunately, Connecticut is no exception to this rule and is a clear example of how glaring income inequality can be, even with towns that share a border.

The consequences of funding disparities are multifaceted and will have long-lasting impacts for generations to come. Underfunded districts, like Hartford Public Schools, face a myriad of challenges, including increased concentration of student need, spiraling special education costs, including for Hartford residents who don’t even attend Hartford Public Schools, and flat revenue that doesn’t keep up with inflation, let alone ensure HPS students and teachers receive the same level of resources as their peers in the state.

The repercussions of this underinvestment will be felt not only within the city of Hartford but throughout the region and state as we compete for highly skilled jobs in a highly competitive global labor market. Addressing these glaring inequities requires a comprehensive and dedicated approach. Firstly, state governments must step in to mitigate the disparities caused by local funding. This could involve implementing funding formulas that allocate more resources to schools in need, and ensuring that special education, which is funded through the Excess Cost Grant, is fully funded.

I commend the Senate Democrats and appreciate the support of Sen. Doug McCrory and Rep. Jeff Currey in their leadership roles on the Education Committee, for proposing Senate Bill

No. 5, which would fully fund the Excess Cost Grant. I must emphasize to all other legislators and the governor that this is an immediate crisis requiring immediate relief and would significantly impact the district’s financial well-being. For example, if the Excess Cost Grant was fully funded, Hartford Public Schools would receive $3.6 million in deserved reimbursements. If it was only 90% funded, the district would have an additional $2.0 million. In the face of our current budget deficit, this money would go a long way.

Secondly, there must be a commitment from the city of Hartford and our mayor to make meaningful investments in funding for Hartford Public Schools. Attracting residents to live in the city of Hartford was a priority of the previous administration, and the current administration has emphasized home ownership. How is that possible if the residents in this city graduate from college at a rate of 17%? How will we compete with nearby cities like Boston and New York City for the jobs of the future? Stagnant funding and a reliance on state or federal funds are not a recipe for success. We must create new revenue streams at a local level that are earmarked for education, as well as the social-emotional well-being of Hartford youth.

The investment will pay off many times over in the form of a higher tax base, lower crime rates, and rich cultural and community engagement.

Thirdly, we need to reexamine the unintended consequences of the School Choice ecosystem that most significantly impacts Hartford and our residents. While the spirit of the Sheff agreement is to promote access to high-quality education, a mission we share, we cannot pursue that goal at the expense of our neighborhood schools and residents. Next year, the district is projected to pay $122 million in tuition expenses for Hartford residents to attend non-HPS schools elsewhere. That equates to almost 33% of the overall district budget and is growing at an accelerated rate. In no scenario is that sustainable, nor does it allow for HPS students to receive the same per pupil investments as their suburban counterparts.

After accounting for tuition and the spiraling cost of Special Education, Hartford has approximately $14,800 in per pupil investments compared to and average of $18,000 for the rest of the state. This discrepancy will only grow in our immediate future.

I encourage all residents in the city of Hartford and the Greater Hartford area to consider and reflect upon this societal imperative. A Capital city without a properly resourced, high-quality public school system will have repercussions throughout the state and only further perpetuates the systemic inequities progressives have fought against for generations. More magnet schools are not the panacea.

Hartford Public Schools has the parents, teachers, staff, leadership, and most importantly the thousands of talented students needed to make up one of the most successful urban school districts in the country. We can serve as an economic engine for the state and region, and ensure that all our citizens have the opportunity to pursue success and contribute in a meaningful way to our society. That all starts with equitable funding and a meaningful investment from our city, state, and federal officials. We can invest in education now, or we can pay for it later.