Leaders embrace Open Choice school plan
Lamont’s program designed to ease overcrowding in Danbury
DANBURY — Regional and state leaders joined Gov. Ned Lamont Friday in pitching a program that would allow Danbury and Norwalk school districts to address overcrowding, while allowing students to explore other opportunities.
“I’m jubilant about it coming to fruition with the great support and help of Govenor Lamont, which really sealed the deal,” state Rep. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury, said during a Friday news conference.
The Open Choice program, already implemented in 42 other districts, would begin in Norwalk and Danbury for the 2022-2023 school
year as part of a budget proposed by Lamont.
Danbury and Norwalk students can choose to enter a lottery, which would allow them to attend school in another district. The Open Choice program is designed to reduce overcrowding in both urban districts while supplying surrounding, suburban districts — struggling with enrollment — more students and the chance to diversify.
“I think we’re going to get it done. I love it because it makes just so much sense,” Lamont said. “First and foremost, most importantly, it’s the best thing in the world for the kids.”
The state pays the cost of busing students while the host and receiving districts split school funding from the state, Sen. Will Haskell, D-Westport, said. Additional, individualized education costs are paid for by the sending district, meaning either Danbury or Norwalk.
A per-pupil grant follows each student to the host district. Depending on how many students are accepted, the grant can allot anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000 per child.
In Norwalk, schools are at 109 percent capacity, Mayor Harry Rilling said. The district has begun exploring construction of more schools to supplement open choice and ease the issue.
Similarly, Danbury has added more preschool classrooms this year and is building an annex to an elementary school, with plans to install a career academy for middle and high school students.
Sen. Julie Kushner, DDanbury, said this program is needed in Danbury now more than ever because of COVID-19. Godfrey said the Danbury area has seen an influx of new residents from Westchester County.
“COVID-19 accentuated the problems of overcrowding and perhaps made it a little more urgent to move this Open Choice program up,” Kushner said. “The moment is now,” she later added.
While urban districts such as Danbury and Norwalk experience overcrowding, other suburban districts, including Ridgefield, are seeing enrollment rates decline.
First Selectman Rudy Marconi said the Open Choice program can be beneficial to Ridgefield, where schools have lost racial and socioeconomic diversity. He said the program would “create a much better educational environment for everyone.”
“I’m on board 100 percent and support this all the way,” Marconi said.
Several other district leaders and legislators. including Haskell, Wilton First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice and other representatives, echoed the need for open choice and thanked Lamont for spearheading the pilot.
Kushner said more still needs to be done.
“I don’t think it’s a longterm solution to our overcrowding issue ... I think long term we have to look to expanding educational opportunities in many different ways.”