Tom Arnone

State Representatives Tom Arnone (D-Enfield), Aundré Bumgardner (D – Groton, Stonington), and Christine Conley (D – Groton, New London), are praising a one-time total allocation of $500,0000 to Alliance District Schools Enfield and Groton to cover a decrease in Education Cost Sharing (ECS).
 
Enfield will receive $275,000 and Groton will receive $225,000 after the Connecticut State Department of Education, Governor Ned Lamont, and Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz, together allocated the one-time disbursement from the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER).
 
The Alliance District Program was established in 2011-12 and designed to foster relationships between the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and identified schools with some of the state's lowest accountability outcomes. The program specifically allocates an annual increase in ECS funding for the district to pursue bold, innovative strategies that increase student outcomes dramatically while also closing the achievement and opportunity gaps.
 
Both Groton and Enfield were considered overfunded under the ECS when they were identified and had been receiving less funding since 2018.
 
"I would like to thank Governor Lamont, and Lt. Governor Bysiewicz for their commitment to ensuring our students stay on the path to success in the classroom," Rep. Arnone said. "I would also like to thank Commissioner Russell-Tucker for her tireless work supporting our students."
 
“This is a testament to the importance of collaboration between our local boards of education, superintendents, the CSDE, our state leaders, and our legislative delegation coming together to produce a positive result for our incredible schools," Rep. Bumgardner said. "This ARP ESSER allocation will provide critical funding to support our Groton students.”
 
"As Alliance Districts, we are always looking for ways to improve the academic and personal outcomes for our students," Rep. Conley said. "This funding will greatly enhance those efforts. "We would like to thank CSDE Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, Governor Lamont, and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz for this generous funding and recognition of the commitment we have to our students' success every day."
 

Please feel free to contact me by phone at 860-745-3125 or by email at Thomas.Arnone@cga.ct.gov. Follow and like my Facebook page for regular updates.

Sincerely,

Tom Arnone
State Representative