Danbury Public Schools has one of the largest student populations who are learning a second language, as well as students with special needs. Connecticut uses an Education Cost Sharing formula to distribute school funding at the local and state level; however, it is outdated based on the current needs of students. 

Additionally, there are requirements with which school districts must comply to stay in good standing with the State Board of Education. While some requirements are funded, there are unfunded mandates that do not come with any funding to implement them. A new required mandate, the Right to Read legislation, has positive intent with regard to student learning, but there are no funds in the state or local budgets to support it. Therefore, the cost must be included in the local school budget. The Right to Read legislation mandates that each district implements a new reading program. In Danbury, the full implementation of this new program could cost the district up to $6 million, which includes the purchase of the new program and an overhaul of existing reading initiatives. Furthermore, to begin to use the program, comprehensive teacher professional development on the new strategies will be required. 

Danbury’s Superintendent Kevin Walston has prepared a budget that is responsive to the requirements of these mandates and to the needs of our growing student population. Mr. Walston listened to families about what programs and services they felt were important to include in the budget. Upon developing the budget for the 2023-2024 year, there is an increase of $9 million to be able to meet these requirements.

As a community, the excitement around the caliber of education in Danbury is impressive, but the school district needs help in getting the 2023-24 budget passed. We have partnered with the CT School and Finance Project to provide seminars via Zoom to help educate us all on effective strategies. December’s workshop covered general information on how Connecticut funds schools and how budgets are designed. But now comes the hard work, and we need Danbury’s families to participate. On Monday, February 13, at 7:00 pm, Erika Haynes from the Project will present a workshop entitled “Storytelling and Advocacy Go Hand-in-Hand.” Attendees will learn how to write their success stories about how education has affected their families and learn how to advocate for the proposed school budget. The workshop will be held in person at the Black Box Theater at Danbury High School on Clapboard Ridge Road, and via Zoom. To sign up for the workshop, please go to https://forms.gle/b5i7oaEb81TA894DA

By working together, we can help pass a budget that supports student learning and academic success. 

Anne E. Mead, Ed. D. is the Director of Family, School & Community Partnerships for Danbury Public Schools. She can be reached at 203-830-6508 or by email at meadan@danburyu.k12.ct.us.