ACTION ALERT
Reduction in State Funding for
Transportation and Nursing Services Provided
to Private and Religious Schools
Summary: Governor M. Jodi Rell recently proposed approximately $1.8 billion in additional spending cuts for her 2010/2011 state budget proposal. Included in that proposal is a $50 million reduction to the State Department of Education budget, which includes a 10% reduction ($877,000) in state funding for local municipalities to provide nursing coverage and transportation services to Connecticut’s private and religious schools.
Both of these services are mandated by the state. Many of our schools are currently dealing with inadequate nursing coverage and reduction could lead to a further erosion of this vital service. This proposal could cause disruption to our schools if local municipalities choose to reduce bus services. This could lead to increased time on buses for our students or new school hours. Local municipalities may demand that our schools have the exact same schedule as public schools in terms of starting and ending dates for our school year, which is their right. In the end, this is an unfunded mandate. This would require towns to provide these services with less state funds.
These cuts have not been finalized since the Governor and the General Assembly have been unable to agree on a budget.
Action Needed: We need private and religious school parents, students, administrators, teachers and concerned citizens to send an e-mail to Governor Rell and our legislative leaders requesting they oppose this 10% ($877,000) reduction in services to private and religious schools.
Take Action: The Governor and legislative leaders are currently negotiating a final budget, so we need you to contact you state legislators immediately.
Please click here to send an e-mail to the Governor and legislative leaders. If you have never used our action alert system, you will have to register with the system in order to send an e-mail.
