Piscopo, Wilson Hail Passage of Legislation Providing Education Mandate Relief

Hartford – State Representatives John Piscopo (R-76) and David Wilson (R-66) last week joined colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing legislation aimed at providing education mandate relief for municipalities.

“Our towns are under enormous pressure when crafting their budgets each year as the cost of education continues to rise, and education cost cuts are proposed at the state level,” said Rep. Piscopo, a co-sponsor of the bill. “This legislation will provide cost savings and immediate relief from unfunded mandates that our towns and municipalities continue to ask for. Given the current economic woes the state of Connecticut is facing, I am proud to support this measure, which will go a long way in helping our towns to provide the highest quality education for our students.”

“It is important that our school districts have the local control that they need to make decisions which are in the best interest of both the schools and the students that they serve,” said Rep. Wilson, also a co-sponsor of the bill. “I proudly co-sponsored this bill, which will give our superintendents, principals, and administrators, the flexibility that they need at the local level to implement cost saving measures they deem appropriate, which varies town to town. It is my hope that in providing immediate mandate relief in our communities, that our school districts will be able to turn their focus toward the highest priority, which is providing our children with nothing less than an excellent education.”

The proposal, HB 7276, An Act Concerning Education Mandate Relief, includes recommendations from school superintendents, administrators, teachers, Board of Education members, parents, and advocates.

The bill’s provisions include:

• Eliminate the requirement for school districts to adopt a regional calendar
• Require the state to purchase one digital school management and reporting software system
• Provide a digital school management and reporting software system at no cost to districts; allowing districts to decide how they provide education to expelled students
• Allow districts to focus training in procedures for handling highly sensitive behavioral issues on staff who have direct contact with students

The bill is supported by Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST). The measure passed out of the House of Representatives and awaits further action by the Senate.

The 2017 legislative session adjourns on June 7.

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