Connecticut House Bill HB06845

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/17
• Refer: 1/25/17

Caption

An Act Concerning The Minimum Budget Requirement And Establishment Of Mill Rates By Local Boards Of Education.

Impact

In addition to allowing budget reductions, HB 6845 also seeks to empower local boards of education to establish separate mill rates for funding public education. This aspect of the bill provides municipalities the option to authorize these rates either through a charter provision or a referendum. This provision can lead to a more customized approach to funding within local education systems, potentially enabling boards to address specific local needs and conditions more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 6845 aims to amend existing education funding laws by allowing school districts to reduce their budgeted appropriations when facing a decline in the number of resident students. Specifically, the bill permits a reduction of no more than one-half of one percent of the school district's budgeted appropriation for education. The intention behind this bill is to provide school districts with more flexibility in managing their budgets in response to changes in student enrollment, which can significantly impact finances.

Contention

While the bill aims to provide necessary adjustments in response to fluctuating student populations, it may also raise concerns among some stakeholders regarding the adequacy of funding for education. Opponents might argue that allowing reductions in minimum budget requirements could compromise the quality of education, particularly in districts experiencing significant declines in student enrollment yet still requiring stable funding for ongoing expenses. The implementation of separate mill rates could also create disparities in funding levels between districts, raising questions about equity in education funding across different regions.