SBE approves declaratory ruling that effectively blocks effort to fund two schools

HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut State Department of Education ruled against a petition from Capital Prep Middletown, which also named Danbury Charter School as a party, in a declaratory ruling approved by the Board of Education in its October meeting. The vote effectively denied another effort to fund the two approved-but-unfunded charter schools.

The initial petition argued that state statute requires the State Board of Education to rank applications for new charter schools — and that the General Assembly must fund schools based on those rankings. However, the declaratory ruling affirmed the interpretation that the General Assembly holds the sole power to fund and thus effectuate charter schools.

Despite overwhelming community support voiced during the October State Board of Education Meeting’s public testimony to fund Capital Prep Middletown and Danbury Charter School, the board voted to approve a declaratory ruling. Access the declaratory ruling here, the October meeting agenda and recording here.