Legislators & Mayor Welcome Reimbursement - Urge Funding To Hire Back Teachers

State Representative Bruce Morris, Mayor Richard Moccia and I announced that the City of Norwalk will receive $365,000 in federal Medicaid reimbursement funds for special education costs in the public schools—money they say should be used by the Board of Education to hire back some of the teachers and other essential school personnel who were let go as part of the recent school budget cuts.

This was a particularly brutal budget year for Norwalk’s schools, and I know parents and students and education advocates were not pleased with the level of sacrifice our children were asked to endure. These federal funds can be used to repair some of the damage that was done in the spring. It would be a small but meaningful step to show our commitment to public education in Norwalk.

“I have been an outspoken advocate for more state and federal funding for the children who attend Norwalk’s public schools and for the parents who fund these schools through their property and income taxes,” Rep. Morris said. “This Medicaid reimbursement is part of the larger revenue stream that should be flowing into Norwalk, and as such, it should be put to its best use. That means repairing some of the damage that was done to our school budget in recent months. I hope and pray that the Board of Education feels the same way.”

Mayor Moccia said that while he understands that the decision rests with the entire Board of Education, “I join in the call to restore some of the staff cuts to help maintain teacher- pupil ratios.”

It is important to thank Governor Malloy and state Department of Social Services Commissioner Roderick Bremby for their attention and cooperation in helping to expedite the release of the funds.

Earlier this month, Norwalk’s Board of Education voted 8-1 to approve a $159.5 million spending plan; the projected school budget shortfall had once reached as high as an estimated $10 million, bringing hundreds of concerned residents out to speak at various public meetings on the matter.