Schools Receive More ECS Funding

As part of his proposal to reform education from early childhood through college, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced on Wednesday an additional $50 million in Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funding to schools. 

Nearly $40 million will go to newly-established Alliance Districts, made up of the state’s 30 lowest-performing school districts – conditioned upon the districts’ implementation of key education reform strategies. An additional $4.5 million in competitive funding will be offered to all districts  – with a preference for the 30 Alliance districts, to enable even more ambitious innovations and deeper reforms. 

A total of 130 towns will receive more ECS funding than they did in 2011-12, and no town will see funding drop from 2011-12 levels. There will be a new, more current child poverty measure. It will also capture child poverty in all parts of the state. Household income data will be streamlined and replaced by annually updated Median Household Income (MHI) data.

While Ellington and Somers do not fall into the category of the 30 lowest-performing schools, some local schools do. East Windsor, Manchester, Vernon, Windsor, and Windsor Locks are in that category.

In 2011-12, received $9,504,917 in ECS funding. For 2012-13, the district will receive $9,649,604, an increase of $144,687 or 1.52 percent.

While he is pleased to see an increase, Superintendent Stephen Cullinan is still disappointed.

“Anytime you receive an increase in funds it is good news,” he said. “However, I am disappointed in the amount that Ellington will receive and in the distribution formula. On the previous day a plan was announced that would increase a town’s portion of magnet school tuition by $1,000 per student. That proposal would take back about one-third of the small ECS increase proposed for Ellington.  Some districts will receive more than a 4 percent increase and Ellington’s net increase will be less than 1 percent.”

In 2011-12, received 5,918,636 in funding. With the new proposal, the district will receive 9,975,301, an increase of $56,665 or .96 percent.

Superintendent Maynard Suffredini agrees that more money is a good thing, but is also cautious.

“Clearly it is a plus for us,” he said. “However, it doesn't come without strings. As the governor stated in his address, in order to received the additional funding certain criteria must be met. I am wondering what that criteria will be.”

Suffredini said that the governor was very clear on his mission for the state.

“Education will continue to be a major focus for him,” he said. “In that light, teacher tenure will be a benchmark on his goal regarding education reform. Also, he will push for early childhood education in all public schools. At this point, he has established the marching orders for the legislature and the new commissioner of education in reforming education in CT.”

Suffredini was impressed.

“I liked what he said and I think he'll make a difference,” he said. “He is an unconventional politician in that he says what he means and means what he says. Time will be the judge on his accomplishments. I wish him well.”