Substitute Senate Bill No. 7 seeks to improve educational equity in Connecticut by revising the funding formulas for public education. The bill introduces new financial benchmarks for the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) foundation amount, increasing it from $11,525 to $15,500 over a four-year period, with annual adjustments thereafter based on the greater of the percentage increase in personal income or inflation. Additionally, the bill repeals Section 10-15i of the general statutes, which indicates a significant change in the legislative framework governing educational funding. The projected fiscal impact of these changes is substantial, with costs to the General Fund expected to rise from approximately $84.9 million in FY 27 to $863.6 million by FY 31.

To further support these changes, the bill establishes a 16-member ECS working group composed of various stakeholders, including elected officials and school principals, tasked with studying the ECS formula and other aspects of state public education funding. This group is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027, and will dissolve upon submission of its report or on the specified date, whichever comes later. The bill aims to enhance funding for choice programs, such as magnet schools and charter schools, and extends the ECS regional bonus to towns without high schools that pay tuition for their students to attend high school in another district, thereby broadening financial support for these communities.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 10-198a, 10-198b
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-15i
File No. 448: 10-15i