Under one interpretation of a proposed reworking of the state's Education Cost Sharing Grant, state aid to East Windsor and Windsor Locks school districts could increase, according to a report from the Governor's ECS Formula Committee.
Despite the proposals, lawmakers caution that the committee's recommendations are still in the early stages, and the General Assembly has not yet adopted them. However, the committee's projections for potential state aid increases East Windsor’s and Windsor Locks' share in ECS funds from the current levels.
The report gives two scenarios and in both, East Windsor will receive more funding. Under the first scenario, East Windsor could receive around $7.12 million for 2013-14, which is up from the current $5.65 million the district received this school year. Under the second scenario, the district would receive even more - $7.16 million.
The report gives also reflects an increase in education funding for Windsor Locks under both scenarios. Under the first scenario, Windsor Locks could receive around $9.17 million for 2013-14, which is up from the current $4.9 million the district received this school year. Under the second scenario, the district would receive even more - $9.22 million.
In the committee's report, it is recommended that the minimum aid given to wealthier towns be lowered from 9 percent to 2 percent. The new formula aims to provide equal education opportunities and to close the achievement gap.
The committee also states that it wants to create a more predictable formula so schools have a certainty in what level of funding they will receive each year.
It is also proposed that the state give more weight to median household income of towns and to use American Community Survey data to calculate fairer funding levels; 10-year-old U.S. census data has been the main information source for ECS grants. Property values and income would also be weighed more equally.
