On Wednesday, May 5th, 2021, the Connecticut State Board of Education (Board) held its monthly meeting by video, which was publicly televised and is available online here. The meeting agenda can be found here. The meeting was chaired by Vice-Chair Dr. Estela Lopez, as a new chair has not yet been named.
This month’s agenda included:
- The approval of the Commissioner’s Network Turnaround Plan for three schools. The schools with plans approved are New London High School in New London, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London, and Wilby High School in Waterbury.
- A discussion on College Enrollment, Credit Attainment and Remediation of High School Graduates.
- An agency update from the State Department of Education
During this meeting, the Board’s consent agenda, which included a Request for Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) Action and the Reappointment of Members of the Impartial Hearing Board Panel, was unanimously approved.
Three of the five student finalists for the student State Board of Education seats were presented to the board by Acting Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker at the meeting and a resolution for teacher appreciation was presented by the board.
During the agency update, the State Department of Education discussed the Appropriations Committee’s approved changes to the ECS formula in their Proposed FY22-23 State Biennial Budget, including the increase to the charter school per pupil funding, the grade/seat increase for Stamford Excellence to include grades 6-8, and the inclusion of weights for charter school students. The Department also discussed AccelerateCT Summer Program Grants, Learner and Attendance Program (LEAP), the Interim Guidance for Remote Learning for 2021/22 school year, and the increase in teachers of color over the last year.
With about four weeks left in the 2021 legislative session, we continue to advocate with you for our state’s public charter schools. We will update you as soon we know more about the status of legislation, the state budget and our funding equity campaign.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.