EDUCATION FUNDING NEEDS REVIEW

Last week I wrote about setting priorities in our Town budget that makes education the number one priority. I truly believe that investing in our children is a community's most wise investment. Giving kids a good start in life, creates promise for the future.

Now, I want to speak to the issue of funding. The big question is where do we get the money to strengthen Enfield Schools? Is the burden on the local property owner extended to the limit? The answer to the last question is YES.

When I ran for the office of State Representative in Enfields 58th District in 2004, I campaigned on the issue of restructuring the ECS (Educational Cost Sharing) formula. It is at the State level that we need changes. It is time to create a better and fairer way to expend money to schools.


Why do we allow unequal funding to schools, based upon property tax. All children in our State deserve the best education possible and all receiving it on a level playing ground. Fairness demands a better way of funding education.

Anyone serving Enfield as an elected Official in Hartford should make it their goal to address this in the 2006 Session. Whether, Democrat or Republican, they should step up to the plate and demand a re-evaluation of the ECS system.

The Republican leadership in the State Senate has already begun to look into reviewing the ways school funding is done. In a statement made by Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca, he said the following:


"The GOP is still assembling its priorities. Republicans are eager to act on a Program Review and Investigations Committee report on reforming the state's tax structure, and another task force report on Educational Cost Sharing grants to municipalities expected in the next month."

My hope is that everyone serving the people in Hartford will see the importance of providing the best education possible to all students in the State of Connecticut, equally.

Enfield tax base is stretched to the limit. Home owners are finding their property tax has become one of their most expensive bills each month. As we face re-evaluation this year, our taxes could rise even higher, unless some creative work in Hartford is done.

If our State Officials ignore the funding of education, our Town Council will have a tough job trying to hold the line on tax increases. Remember, that as we have all faced the increase in heating cost and utilities, so have the schools and town buildings. As it stands now there is only one place to go to cover these increases, and that is the hard working home owner.

Two things can be accomplished by changing the structure of the ECS Formula. Enfield Schools could receive more money and property owners could begin to see less burden on them. Isn't it worth looking into by our State Leaders?

Greg Stokes