Education Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-227
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING MAGNET SCHOOL PROGRAM FUNDING.
Vote Date: 3/11/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Change of Reference to Appropriations
PH Date: 3/4/2022
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Education Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
Incrementally increases the per student grant for the operation of interdistrict magnet school
programs. Also, the bill adjusts per pupil grants for certain interdistrict magnet schools
operated by a regional educational service center.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Charlene Russell-Tucker, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Education
"The Department is supportive in concept of periodic increases in the per pupil grants for
choice programs. However, The Department is not able to support this proposal which would
increase the per pupil grants for all magnet schools, both host and RESC operated, by 8%.,
Further, there is not sufficient funding in the magnet account to cover the estimated $21
million cost of this change in policy."
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Tim J. Sullivan Jr., Superintendent, CREC Magnet Schools
"I am the Superintendent of the CREC Magnet Schools. We educate 8,500 students from
77 towns in our 18 schools and programs. I am asking you to support SB 227, which provides
critical increased funding to support our magnet schools. CREC has a long tradition of
offering a quality integrated education to our students, preparing them to live in a more
integrated and complex world. Every year, we have a wait list of students who would like to
attend CREC, and despite the pandemic, we have continued on that mission."
Dr. Greg J. Florio, Ed.D., Executive Director, CREC
"The 8% increase for Sheff magnet schools in SB 227 mitigates tuition increases to school
districts, especially Alliance Districts. The states base funding for Sheff-region magnet
schools remains statutorily unchanged for over a decade with only a 2% increase in the per
pupil magnet school grant in 2019. This provided short-term relief, but does not cover the full
funding needed to sustain magnet schools since it only covers 55% of our operating costs."
Theodore Martinez, Chair of Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, CREC Education
Association
"As you may be aware, the state increased Sheff magnet school tuition once in 2009/10 from
$9,695 to $10,443. After several years of maintaining $10,443, magnet school operators saw
a decrease in funding, while still accepting additional students. In 2019, Sheff magnet school
operators sought a 5% increase but we received 2%. We continue to operate based on
$10,652. As a result of these limited increases, there is an added burden to magnet school
operators to find ways to finance resources for its students. Goodwin University Magnet
School System has relied primarily on the magnet school operating grant and local tuition as
we do not have any taxing authority. We do the best we can to limit increases to local school
tuition expenses; however, that is becoming more and more challenging over time."
Orlando Rodriguez, Research and Policy Development Specialist, Connecticut
Education Association (CEA)
Inter-district magnet schools have excelled in promoting learning through a commitment to
diversity. But like many other districts in the state, challenges from teacher shortages,
increasing costs, and the need for more student resources have grown. We support the 8%
increase in state funding for all inter-district magnets. We also ask the committee to increase
funding for OPEN Choice, which functions as a de facto inter-district program promoting
learning through diversity.
Dr. Charles Dumais, Executive Director, Cooperative Educational Services
"I am the Executive Director of Cooperative Educational Service (C.E.S.), which serves most
of Fairfield County and is one of six Regional Education Service Centers (RESCs) in CT. I am
requesting your support of SB 227, which allows for an eight percent increase in the Sheff
and non-Sheff magnet school grant. There are 32 RESC managed magnets in 24
cities/towns educating over 13,000 students statewide."
Patricia Bunk, Educator, CREC Magnet Schools
"I testify today in support of Senate Bill 227 and an increase in funding to our magnet
schools. As a CREC educator, I am proud of the strengths and successes of our schools, but
also know what a funding increase would mean to our students, educators, and school
communities."
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Zuleydy Torres, Student, Civic Leadership High School
"I live in New Britain. I am currently an 11th grader at Civic Leadership High School in
Enfield, which is a CREC Magnet School. I am asking you to please support SB 227 and the
8% increase in the state magnet grant for CREC Magnet Schools."
Salvatore F. Menzo, Ed.D., Superintendent, Goodwin University Magnet School System
"As you may be aware, the state increased Sheff magnet school tuition once in 2009/10 from
$9,695 to $10,443. After several years of maintaining $10,443, magnet school operators saw
a decrease in funding, while still accepting additional students. In 2019, Sheff magnet school
operators sought a 5% increase but we received 2%. We continue to operate based on
$10,652. As a result of these limited increases, there is an added burden to magnet school
operators to find ways to finance resources for its students. Goodwin University Magnet
School System has relied primarily on the magnet school operating grant and local tuition as
we do not have any taxing authority. We do the best we can to limit increases to local school
tuition expenses; however, that is becoming more and more challenging over time."
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Expressed.
*The Education Committee received over 50 pieces of additional testimony regarding this bill,
which are posted on the CGA website.
Reported by: Madison Chain Date: 3/16/2022
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