The original article was published from 3/3/2026 12:00:00 AM to 3/28/2026 11:59:00 PM
The 2026 Connecticut General Assembly's Education Committee is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, March 4th 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.
Below is my testimony to the legislature that I submitted today.
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 Vicki Tesoro, and I am the First Selectman of Trumbull. I am testifying in support of H.B. 5002 and S.B. 7.
H.B. 5002 takes important and necessary steps to address special education funding and to modernize the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula. S.B. 7 appropriately recognizes the urgent need to increase the foundation amount so that it accurately reflects the true cost of educating a child in 2026.
Without these critical updates, communities such as Trumbull will continue to face increasingly difficult budgetary decisions that risk compromising the quality, stability, and long-term sustainability of our public schools. Ensuring that the ECS formula reflects current economic realities is essential to maintaining strong educational outcomes while preserving affordability for all residents.
One of the key provisions of S.B. 7 expands the definition of “foundation” within the state’s education aid formula to reflect a more realistic per-pupil funding amount. The foundation level has not been increased since 2013 and currently stands at $11,525 per student. When adjusted for inflation, that amount should be at least $16,000 to accurately reflect today’s costs.
Since being elected First Selectman in 2017, I have consistently advocated for increased Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding on behalf of the Town of Trumbull. In 2019, Trumbull was identified as one of several communities facing a significant reduction in ECS funding. Fortunately, that reduction did not occur, and we are now in the hold harmless category. However, the broader issue of underfunding remains.
Trumbull has long delivered a high-quality educational experience by budgeting responsibly and focusing on what matters most for students. We are currently ranked 11th among all Connecticut districts in the State Department of Education’s District Accountability Index. This strong performance is one of the reasons Trumbull continues to be a community of choice.
At the same time, municipal budgeting has become increasingly challenging due to factors beyond our control, including inflation, rising energy costs, and escalating healthcare expenses. When compared to similarly sized municipalities with comparable demographics—particularly those within District Reference Group (DRG) B—Trumbull’s ECS allocation is significantly lower, often by millions of dollars. While I understand the formula is complex, there is little clear justification for this disparity.
Reduced ECS funding, combined with mounting fiscal pressures, makes it increasingly difficult to maintain the high educational standards our community expects. Without a more equitable distribution of state education funding, sustaining excellence will require tax increases that place additional strain on all our residents and businesses.
Trumbull is proud of its growing diversity and its commitment to welcoming all who choose to call our town home. Families are drawn here because of the strength of our schools, and our schools have consistently risen to meet that expectation. To continue providing this level of excellence, we must receive our fair share of ECS funding.
I respectfully urge you to support H.B. 5002 and S.B. 7 to ensure that all Connecticut communities receive equitable and adequate education funding.
Thank you for your time and for your continued service to our state.
Sincerely,
Vicki Tesoro