Submitted by Dr. Rebecca Hamman, Stamford Resident & Board of Education Member
In reply to September 22, 2022 letter to the editor (Representatives should work for us, not against us by Phyllis Alexander), it’s time to review the real facts rather than the misinformation shared.
First, Kimberly Fiorello does her homework. She knows exactly what is in a state bill before supporting. House Bill 5506 was signed into law on May 9, 2022—$257.9 million was allocated to the new Westhill High School project. The approved budget increases state reimbursement for the project from 20% to 80% which will increase state funding for Stamford from $51.6 million to $206.4 million (Section 362 on page 481 of the 2022 budget). This bill also includes an increase in the school construction grant formula to 60% for all future state projects within the next 25 years.
This is great news, but when digging deeper, the details become glaring. The purpose of the funding is found in Section 381 on page 515. The town of Stamford may use the reimbursement rate of eighty percent for the new construction project at WHS, provided the local board of education (1) establishes a pathway-to-career regional program at the new WHS and such program enrolls students from and shares services with surrounding towns to reduce racial isolation in the community, and (2) meets all other provisions of chapter 173 of the general statutes or any regulation adopted by the State Board of Education or the Department of Administrative Services.
Stamford Public Schools is already diverse (2019-20 SPS Annual Report–44.5% Hispanic/Latino, 30.2% White, 14.5% Black/African American, 7.1% Asian, 3.4% Two or More Races, .1% American Indian/Alaskan Native, .1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander). House Bill 5506 actually contradicts the racial isolation reduction rule for Stamford. By stipulating ‘regional’, WHS—already bursting at the seams with a student population of 2,236 (Public School Review, 2022-23), may become even less attractive for incoming students. In conjunction, Stamford’s own taxpayer children may not be able to participate in this new regional program if out-of-district students are allowed to take their place (pending pathway-to-career ratios).
Secondly, Fiorello looks realistically at all state budgets. Although Connecticut recently had an unusual mix of temporarily strong financial conditions (federal COVID relief funds combined with some revenue and questionable accounting adjustments the state has employed for years), Connecticut’s upcoming budget cycles will again see deficits, this time totaling roughly $2 billion—the general fund is projected to be in deficit between $725 million and $1.1 billion (Office of Fiscal Analysis). Fiorello has every reason to question Connecticut’s debt diet and how we as citizens are going to pay for these big promises!
Now knowing the real facts, it is clear that Kimberly Fiorello cares about ALL Connecticut residents, especially the students and generations beyond.