[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by Beeker2211

What it is doing is showing even the "rich" towns get quite a bit of state funding. Kind of makes ragging on Hartford, Waterbury, et al. for "being too irresponsible to fund their own systems"a bit hallow. That's really it.

No, the issue is that many of these towns have already set their budgets and tax rates for 2017, and taking this money out at this late stage throws everything into disarray. If these cuts had been proposed back in February, there would have been some anger, but at least it could be factored into the budget process. And lets be honest here, these towns get back pennies on the dollar for all the taxes they kick up to Hartford. They are subsidizing Hartford et al.

[BPt111]

but Why ??

High school population in CT shrinking faster than 47 other states | The CT Mirror

[beerisgood02]

Originally Posted by BPt111

but Why ??

High school population in CT shrinking faster than 47 other states | The CT Mirror

According to that map, every Northeastern state (except DE) will have a decline of 5% or more.

[cynic1]

Originally Posted by BPt111

but Why ??

High school population in CT shrinking faster than 47 other states | The CT Mirror

Must be all those frisky retirees Jay keeps talking about ... moving down to the southeast coastal states ...lol

[Beeker2211]

Originally Posted by cynic1

Must be all those frisky retirees Jay keeps talking about ... moving down to the southeast coastal states ...lol

Low birth rates and the immigrants we have had generally have higher levels of education which usually means less children. This isn't new as it has been projected for nearly a decade and a half (the issue came up when bFairfield was debating two schools).

[Mike 75]

The declining birthrate and resulting decline in students was part of our town's budget debate this year. Simply put, with declining enrollment, why is the school budget constantly increasing? Shouldn't it be flat to declining? It's a good point.

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

No, the issue is that many of these towns have already set their budgets and tax rates for 2017, and taking this money out at this late stage throws everything into disarray. If these cuts had been proposed back in February, there would have been some anger, but at least it could be factored into the budget process. And lets be honest here, these towns get back pennies on the dollar for all the taxes they kick up to Hartford. They are subsidizing Hartford et al.

Great point, imteresting letter here from a town rep to the Gov


Honorable Governor Dannel P. Malloy
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

April 14, 2016

xxx
Fairfield Representative Town Meeting (RTM)


Dear Governor Malloy,

In just a few short weeks, the Fairfield RTM will be voting on the proposed budgets for the Town of
Fairfield and the Fairfield Public School System. Up until this point, the budgets have been
thoroughly vetted by the Board of Education, Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance.
As a member of the RTM, I was disappointed to learn that your newly proposed budget has
eliminated the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant of approximately $3.6 million to Fairfield. Make
no mistake about it, a revenue reduction of this magnitude will have immeasurable negative
consequences for Fairfield and our school system if approved by the General Assembly.
As you know, Fairfield is still grappling with the loss of GE, many of our residents are struggling to
make ends meet and there are far too many homes on the market.
While I think we can all appreciate the efforts in Hartford to get the state’s fiscal house in order, it is
unfair to try and solve Hartford’s problems on the backs of local taxpayers in Fairfield.
Accordingly, and by virtue of this letter, I am formally requesting that you hold a Town Hall meeting
in Fairfield (ahead of the RTM’s budget vote) so that RTM members and the townspeople of Fairfield
can understand why you chose to “zero out” the ECS grant to Fairfield.

Respectfully,

[Blargrifth]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

The declining birthrate and resulting decline in students was part of our town's budget debate this year. Simply put, with declining enrollment, why is the school budget constantly increasing? Shouldn't it be flat to declining? It's a good point.

Not when every classroom needs a full set a laptops and the textbooks need to be phased in to fit the new curriculum. The problem with laptops is they need to be replaced more quickly. At least a ripped textbook can still be used.

[hartford_renter]

Originally Posted by Blargrifth

Not when every classroom needs a full set a laptops and the textbooks need to be phased in to fit the new curriculum. The problem with laptops is they need to be replaced more quickly. At least a ripped textbook can still be used.

Why do students need laptops?

This is the dumbest thing ever

You need to learn english, math, history and science

Laptops aren't going to help what a waste. I heard students are using ipads in school, again what a waste of resources

[Blargrifth]

Originally Posted by hartford_renter

Why do students need laptops?

This is the dumbest thing ever

You need to learn english, math, history and science

Laptops aren't going to help what a waste. I heard students are using ipads in school, again what a waste of resources

I think their reason was to get the students familiar with the technology that they will use in the real world, though I am not sure why that can't be accomplished with a computer lab course like they have done for the past 20 years. Its not like they are using any kinds of advanced software. I see it as more of a distraction than a benefit. It is especially ridiculous because they have all of the photo/video chat software installed on them.