The original article was published from 3/3/2026 12:00:00 AM to 3/5/2026 11:59:00 PM
The Connecticut General Assembly's Education Committee is holding a public hearing on March 4, 2026 on two important education funding bills: HB 5002 and SB 7. Each bill if passed may increase the state’s contribution to Trumbull’s education funding (Education Cost Sharing, or ECS). This will help lessen the tax burden for education in Trumbull. I urge all Trumbull residents to join me in supporting these bills. Please see my submitted testimony, which is posted on the home page of the Town website under Town News.
This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and support greater education funding for Trumbull. Follow the directions below to submit your testimony.
Sample Written Testimony
- Edit the content in RED below with your own perspectives and ideas
- Submit here with the following information filled out:
- Hearing Date and Time: 03/04/2026 11:00 AM
- Bill number: SB00007 – AAC Educational Equity
- Bill number: HB 5002 – An Act Concerning Education Funding, Special Education and Early Childhood Programs
Testimony in Support of
H.B. 5002: An Act Concerning Education Funding, Special Education and Early Childhood Programs
S.B. 7: An Act Concerning Educational Equity
Chairpersons McCrory and Leeper, Ranking Members Berthel and Zupkus, and distinguished members of the Education Committee:
My name is [INSERT NAME], and I am a resident of Trumbull. I am testifying in support of H.B. 5002 and S.B. 7.
For more than thirty years, the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula has not kept pace with the real cost of educating students in Connecticut. The foundation amount has remained at $11,525 since 2013. Over that time, inflation has increased dramatically, yet the State’s per-pupil foundation has remained flat. When adjusted for inflation, the foundation should be significantly higher to reflect today’s costs.
Trumbull is proud to deliver a high-quality educational experience. Our schools consistently perform at a high level, and families choose Trumbull because of the strength of our district. However, maintaining that excellence is becoming increasingly difficult as costs rise beyond local control.
Healthcare premiums for employees continue to increase at a pace that outpaces revenue growth. Transportation contracts, utilities, and special education services have all become more expensive. At the same time, student needs have increased. Districts are being asked to provide more mental health support, more behavioral intervention, more services for multilingual learners, and more specialized programming. These are not optional investments. They are essential to helping students succeed.
Because the ECS foundation has not kept up with inflation, local property taxpayers have absorbed a growing share of education costs. Trumbull has worked hard to budget responsibly, but without stronger state support, maintaining our current standards will require additional pressure on local taxes. That is not sustainable for seniors on fixed incomes or for working families.
[INSERT ONE PERSONAL PARAGRAPH HERE:
Briefly explain your connection to Trumbull Public Schools. For example: children in the district, experience as a teacher or staff member, how special education or mental health services have supported your family, how rising health insurance costs impact the town budget, or how budget constraints affect classrooms. Keep this to one focused paragraph that explains why fair ECS funding matters to you and your family.]
H.B. 5002 begins to adjust the foundation and move toward a more equitable funding structure across public school types. S.B. 7 recognizes that the foundation level must reflect economic reality. For Trumbull to continue delivering the level of excellence our community expects, the State must increase the ECS foundation in a meaningful way.
I respectfully urge you to support these bills and strengthen the foundation amount so that it better reflects the true cost of education in Connecticut.
Thank you for your time and service to our state.
Sincerely,
Name
Trumbull, CT
Title (if applicable)
Email (optional)
Phone (optional)