Norwalk Legislators Welcome Plans for Additional Norwalk School Funding

Members of Norwalk’s state legislative delegation announced that the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee approved an increase of $250,000 in Priority School District funding for Norwalk schools later today.

State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) sits on the Committee, where he has consistently advocated for additional support for Norwalk schools.

“Additional state funding for Norwalk schools means more support for our teachers and our city’s children, and it will also help to lighten the burden on our local property tax. I thank my fellow members of the Appropriations Committee for their support of these funds. Our Norwalk delegation will continue to support and fight for this measure as the legislative session continues through the next several weeks,” said Senator Duff.

If approved in the state’s final budget adjustments for the upcoming fiscal year, the $250,000 in additional funding would represent the second increase in state support for Norwalk schools in as many years. In 2013 the legislature approved a $1.37 million increase in Priority School District program funding for the Norwalk Public Schools in both fiscal years 2014 and 2015, as well as a $462,741 increase in Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funds for fiscal year 2014 and a further $276,610 in fiscal year 2015.

“Our schools always benefit from extra support, and it’s the students most of all who will benefit from these funds. I will continue to support this increase in the weeks ahead, to help ensure its final passage,” said Rep. Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk).

“More state support for our schools is great news for everyone in Norwalk. We will keep fighting for these state funds to help our children succeed and to lighten the load on city taxpayers,” said Rep. Chris Perone (D-Norwalk).

The budget adjustments will next proceed to the floor of the House of Representatives, where they will await further action, negotiation and amendment. The 2014 Regular Legislative Session ends on May 7th.