General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1458 aims to amend the existing framework for the Commissioner’s Network of Schools and the Alliance District Programs in Connecticut. Key provisions include a new timeline for the Commissioner of Education to select schools for the network, limiting selections to category four or five schools from fiscal years 2013 to 2027, and prohibiting the selection of additional schools after July 1, 2025. The bill also introduces the term "Opportunity district" to replace "Alliance district" and establishes "Legacy alliance district" for previously designated districts until June 30, 2025. Furthermore, it reduces the number of lowest-scoring towns eligible for designation from thirty-three to fifteen and emphasizes the development of turnaround plans with specific submission and approval deadlines.

Additionally, the bill modifies the funding structure for these districts, allowing the Comptroller to withhold funding increases for opportunity districts based on fiscal year 2012 levels, replacing previous provisions tied to fiscal year 2022. It requires local boards of education in opportunity districts to submit improvement plans for funding increases, focusing on educational strategies such as enhancing reading programs and recruiting minority teachers. The bill also establishes a minimum base aid ratio of ten percent for opportunity and legacy alliance districts, while towns not designated will have a minimum of one percent. Overall, Raised Bill No. 1458 seeks to enhance educational equity and support for underperforming districts through targeted resources and structured early literacy programs, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-262u, 10-4q, 10-14y