Lawmakers Advocate for Increased State Education Funding

Proposed bills aim to raise the Education Cost Sharing base minimum and tie future increases to inflation

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

State Rep. Dan Gaiewski, D-40th District, and Rep. Devin Carney, R-23rd District, are among lawmakers pushing for changes to how Connecticut funds education through the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) program. They plan to advocate for raising the ECS base minimum from $11,525 per student, which has not increased since 2013, and tying future increases to inflation. New London Board of Education President Elaine Maynard-Adams supports the proposed ECS funding increases, calling them "long overdue" as the current formula disadvantages poorer districts like New London.

Why it matters

The ECS program provides over 50% of the state's total contribution to public elementary and secondary education. However, the base minimum has remained stagnant for over a decade, forcing school districts to deal with rising costs for teacher salaries, transportation, and special education without commensurate increases in state funding. This has led to concerns about potential program cuts and diminished educational quality, especially in underfunded districts like New London.

The details

Gaiewski and Carney are working on bills that would raise the ECS base minimum from $11,525 to $18,681 per student over a five-year period, and then adjust it annually based on inflation. The bills would also allow municipalities to reduce their property tax rates by an amount equal to the increase in ECS funding. New London is currently considered "overfunded" by the state's ECS formula, despite its status as one of the state's poorest cities, leading to its ECS funding being frozen this year even as costs have risen.

  • The ECS base minimum has not increased since 2013.
  • New London's ECS funding was frozen in the current fiscal year.

The players

Dan Gaiewski

State Representative, D-40th District, who plans to advocate for changing the way the state funds education.

Devin Carney

State Representative, R-23rd District, who has submitted a bill to raise the ECS base minimum and tie future increases to inflation.

Elaine Maynard-Adams

President of the New London Board of Education, who supports proposed increases to ECS funding as "long overdue".

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Adequately and fairly funding the ECS formula is critical to ensuring every student in Connecticut has access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed. When the state fails to keep pace with the true cost of education, that burden is shifted directly onto local property taxpayers.”

— Joe DeLong, CEO and Executive Director, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

“I think there's momentum more this year than any other year.”

— Dan Gaiewski, State Representative, D-40th District (theday.com)

What’s next

The proposed bills to modify the ECS funding formula will be considered during the current legislative session.

The takeaway

The stagnant ECS base minimum has put a strain on school districts, forcing them to make difficult choices about programs and staffing. Increasing the ECS funding and tying it to inflation could provide much-needed relief to underfunded districts like New London and ensure all students have access to a quality education.