Students advocate for increased school funding in Connecticut

Eighty students from New Haven, along with many others from Hartford and New London, visited the Connecticut Capitol to request more funding for schools. They met with lawmakers to voice their concerns about educational inequalities. John Carlos Serana Musser, an 18-year-old student, shared his experience with poor facilities at his high school. He recalled the terrible soccer field, which had few benches for parents and was often muddy and uneven. Musser noted the stark differences compared to other schools that had better equipped fields and facilities. The students promoted Senate Bill 1511, which aims to raise per-student funding in the state's Education Cost Sharing Grant. This change would increase the funding to $12,488 per pupil. The bill also seeks extra funding for students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. Rep. Maryam Khan expressed the need for more support, highlighting how some towns struggle to meet students' needs. If passed, the bill could cost the state over $500 million in the next two years. Students highlighted their personal experiences with educational disruptions. New London High School senior Jadelise Garrett spoke about frequent changes in teachers, which negatively impacted her learning. Likewise, Johanelyz Arroyo from New Haven addressed the lack of resources, such as outdated textbooks and technology. Recent data showed that nearly 19% of Connecticut youth aged 14 to 26 are at risk or disconnected from education. A commission proposed increasing educational funding and support to address these issues. SB-1511 is seen as a step towards that goal. However, the chances of the bill passing are uncertain. Governor Ned Lamont has emphasized careful budgeting and has previously vetoed similar funding increases. Despite these obstacles, lawmakers like Khan remain optimistic, believing that student advocacy is crucial for making a case for more investment in education.