BFT members who live in Rep. Aresimowicz’s district are asked to call using the following script. Doing this immediately is crucial as without immediate action 2 new charter schools are likely to be opened in Connecticut, draining resources from trational public schools.

PHONE SCRIPT FOR URGENT CALLS TO REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARESIMOWICZ

House Democrats Main Phone:  860-240-8500

Representative Aresimowicz’s Office:  860-240-8489

Hello, my name is ________ and I am (choose one below – Rep. Aresimowicz’s district is in Southington and Berlin):

  • A Southington/Berlin resident/parent of child in Southington/Berlin public schools; or
  • A teacher/counselor/etc. at Wilcox Technical High School in Meriden.

I am calling to urge Representative Aresimowicz to reject Governor Malloy’s efforts to include $4.6 million for 2 new charter schools in the state budget.

I support the Appropriations Committee’s budget that reallocates those funds to our traditional school districts.  Berlin is already more than $1.7 million underfunded and Soutington is more than $8.4 million underfunded in ECS dollars.  Funding new charter schools will only further divert scarce resources away from traditional neighborhood schools.

 

Please tell Representative Aresimowicz to continue to stand his ground against the Governor and continue blocking funding for two new charter schools.    Thank you.

 

BACKGROUND INFO:

  • Funding for traditional neighborhood schools has grown less than 8% since FY 2009, while charter school funding has grown by 124% during the same time period.
  • Though they receive millions in public dollars, charter schools are not subject to the same transparency and accountability standards as our traditional neighborhood public schools and are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
  • Charter schools have suspension and expulsion rates that far exceed the state average:[1]
    • Elementary school students are suspended or expelled 4.5 times more often
    • Middle and high school students are suspended or expelled twice as often
  • Despite state law requiring school districts to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation, a majority of charter schools are hyper-segregated (enrolling more than 90% or less than 10% minority students) and fail to enroll diverse populations.[2]

When making tough budget decisions, the choice is clear.  Stand by the schools that educate all children by giving them the resources they need to succeed.

[1] Suspensions and Expulsions in Connecticut, State Department of Education, March 2015

[2] Choice Watch:  Diversity and Access in Connecticut’s School Choice Programs, Connecticut Voices for Children, April 2014

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