Carpino Urges Malloy to Reconsider Proposal to Cut Vo-Tech Sports

HARTFORD — Backed by an enthusiastic crowd of high school students who descended on the Capitol this morning, two Republican state representatives are urging Gov. Dannel Malloy to reconsider his controversial proposal to cut funding for sports programs at state vocational technical schools. Students from several schools took a break from their summer vacations to attend the grassroots rally, organized through Facebook by Windham Technical School Student Ryan Huslart. “We’re here, we matter, and we deserve a well-rounded education,” said Huslart, who kicked off the event by describing the positive affect high school football had on his life.

Malloy proposed the statewide vo-tech athletic program cut in his effort to save the state money in a deep fiscal crisis. The proposal would save the state roughly $3 million.

State Rep. Christie Carpino asked the governor to reconsider his plan to cut the athletic funding, which would happen if he can’t save money through unionized state employee givebacks.

Carpino, who represents the 32nd General Assembly District, sent a letter to Malloy recently asking for a meeting to discuss the proposed two-year cut of athletics, which would affect students in the towns she represents. Vinal Technical High School, in Middletown, has students from that town as well as Cromwell and Portland. Totaled, the school has students from more than a dozen communities.

Carpino, also member of the legislature’s Education Committee, said athletic programs are part of the well-rounded, comprehensive educational experience students need to thrive.

“To withhold this critical component would do students a great disservice,” Carpino said. “There are alternatives, and I’d welcome an opportunity to discuss this issue with the governor.”

State Rep. Tim Ackert, who represents the 8th General Assembly District, explained to the students that a majority of legislators controversially gave greater-than-usual budget powers to the governor, allowing him to make this type of budget cut without input from state representatives and state senators—the very people elected to advocate for students and their families.

“These schools feed educated, skilled young people directly into our workforce—an area that Connecticut needs a great deal of help with,” said Ackert, an Education Committee member. “To go after our tech schools, take away these important programs and discourage enrollment when we are putting such an emphasis on creating jobs in Connecticut just doesn’t make sense.”