The CT School Finance Project has prepared a summary of the revised FY 2016-17 Department of Education Budget, including a town-by-town analysis of the Education Cost Sharing grant. With the adoption of S.B. 501, “An Act Adjusting the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2017,” in the May special session, the Connecticut General Assembly finalized its revisions to the FY 2016-17 adopted state budget. The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) revised FY 2016-17 budget reduces all but one program from the FY 2016-17 adopted budget. In total, the FY 2016-17 revised budget decreases the CSDE budget by $108.6 million, or 3.5%.

When comparing the CSDE revised budget for FY 2016-17 to the original FY 2016-17 adopted as part of P.A. 15-244, there are a number of significant reductions over $1 million including:

• ($32.1million) for the Education Cost Sharing grant (town-by-town detail can be found in the full summary document);
• ($26.7 million) to eliminate the two transportation grants (transportation mandate remains);
• ($11.9 million) for magnet schools;
• ($7.8 million) for the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS);
• ($4.2 million) for Excess Costs special education grants;
• ($3.2 million) for educator improvement programs and talent development;
• ($2.9 million) for Open Choice;
• ($2.5 million) for the Priority School District grant;
• ($2.3 million) for state-administered student assessments;
• ($1.9 million) for charter schools;
• ($1.9 million) for educator professional development associated with the implementation of new academic standards;
• ($1.6 million) for personnel; and
• ($1.5 million) to eliminate School Accountability, a program to turnaround low-achieving schools.

Click here to view the summary in its entirety.