Education Funding: What Now?

Posted on December 8, 2008 by | 4 Comments

The State Board of Education did what it—along with all other state agencies—was directed to do by Governor Rell in preparation for the upcoming state budget session. At its Wednesday meeting the Board adopted a budget resolution that included the required 10% reduction options from its current services level budget for 2008-09. The Board made it clear that it believed the reductions, should they occur, would simply pass the education share of the economic crisis on to municipalities. With local ability to again shoulder the additional burden very much in question, education budgets throughout the state will be in great jeopardy unless the cuts at the state level can be avoided or at least minimized. Continue reading →

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State Department of Education Budget Cuts: Who Would Feel Them?

Posted on November 13, 2008 by | 4 Comments

When the economy gets bad enough—like now—budget “what ifs” almost always include drastic reduction scenarios. For instance, state agencies are being asked to prepare spending plans 10% lower than current year levels. In an earlier life at the State Department of Education (SDE), I had a hand in preparing a couple of these crisis plans.

Interestingly, almost the entire SDE budget is comprised of pass through funding for local school districts, so any significant reductions pretty much would have to be accomplished by cutting education aid to towns. Continue reading →

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Full Commitment Needed for High School Reform to Succeed

Posted on October 31, 2008 by | 3 Comments

The Connecticut Plan: Academic and Personal Success for Every Middle and High School Student was unveiled by the State Board of Education at its October meeting. Comprehensive high school reform—conceptualized and developed over the past several years at the State Department of Education—now has a set of concrete proposals that can be put before the legislature for consideration. Continue reading →

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The Global Economic Crisis and Education

Posted on October 24, 2008 by | 1 Comment

Faced with dire circumstances that seem beyond our control, some of us opt for the old adage that what we don’t know can’t hurt us. We kind of lash ourselves to the railing and trust that the storm will pass eventually without washing us overboard. Others want to know whatever they can about the threat so as to meet it head on, hoping to increase their chances of coming through it unscathed. For those of you in the latter group, here are some thoughts about what may lie ahead as the global economic crisis—dire is not too strong a word—drills its way down into every Connecticut town, school and classroom. You rather not know types might just want to take a peek as well. Continue reading →

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Is it Raining Hard Enough Yet?

Posted on October 8, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Let’s simplify the Rainy Day Fund, shall we? For several years, the balance grew and grew because we paid more in taxes than was needed to pay the state’s bills. That’s okay. That’s how it’s supposed to work. Some economists would argue that states should have reserves equal to at least 15% of their annual state budgets. Connecticut’s reserve of $1.4 billion, although substantial, is less only 8% of its budget. So it’s not like the extra taxes we have been paying in are out of sync with sound fiscal policy.

But now we find ourselves in the middle—at least I hope it’s the middle, because if it’s only the beginning, there may be no strategy that will help—of the worst economic crisis of our time. The collapse of the housing industry, the failure of some of the country’s largest financial institutions, two of the worst single day losses in stock market history, a federal bailout program that would have been unimaginable just six months ago—these are just a few of the scariest things. A current year state budget deficit of $300 million promises to keep growing in the months ahead, and the budget for the next biennium, 2009-2011, may well face the specter of revenue shortfalls in excess of $1 billion. Continue reading →

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School Year Begins Under Economic Shadow

Posted on September 2, 2008 by | 2 Comments

A new school year has begun across the state and nation amid changes that reflect a growing concern over how to manage mounting economic challenges. A recent story in the CT Post told of the impact of rising fuel costs on school transportation and heating budgets. Dealing with this means curtailed bus routes, earlier building closings, and fewer extra-curricular programs for many CT school districts. Continue reading →

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A Midsummer Night’s Blog

Posted on August 20, 2008 by | Leave a comment

With apologies to the Bard, and the halfway point of summer at hand, I can’t help thinking ahead to the November elections and the legislative season beyond. I thoroughly enjoyed an extended vacation in the Carolinas, and hope you all are having as carefree a summer as gasoline prices and other economic realities permit.

The new school year is now almost underway. Close on the heels of opening day comes high season for the political among us—nationally, statewide, and locally. A perfect time to begin thinking seriously again about what may be ahead for public school funding in Connecticut. Continue reading →

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