HARTFORD, Conn. — The city of Hartford is trying to tackle challenges in public schools.
“I've heard from a number of community members from parents from teachers, from students, from residents who are concerned about the schools,” said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. “We hear you and this is a response in which we think we can work together.”
Wednesday, the mayor announced the creation of a Blue Ribbon Commission to address educational challenges.
“The challenges in our school system did not spring up overnight,” Arulampalam added. “They aren't challenges that were created in the last year, they are the result of decades of inequality within our public schools, and the solutions to those challenges won't come overnight either. It's going to take a concerted effort.”
This commission will be led by three co-chairs — Andréa Comer, chief of staff to the state treasurer; Hector Rivera, president & CEO at Our Piece of the Pie; and Dr. Catherine Carbone, former superintendent of Bristol Public Schools.
“This is a really broad range of individuals that represent every facet of stakeholders involved in this conversation,” said Arulampalam. “I think it's unprecedented, not just in the history of the city of Hartford, but for really almost any municipality to have all of the leaders at one table, trying to work together to solutions.”
The commission will begin meeting regularly over the next six months to pinpoint issues, develop recommendations, and eventually craft a report for the mayor and Hartford Board of Education.
Some issues leaders are already naming: chronic absenteeism and academic outcomes like not enough children reading at grade level.
“Money isn't always the answer, and that's part of the point of having all of these people at the table to really talk through other solutions, beyond just, it's not just about money, but the systemic challenges,” explained Comer.
Though officials say funding doesn’t solve all educational problems, it has been a big concern for families and students.
In May, parents and teachers rallied at City Hall, protesting a budget they say left Hartford Public Schools with a $31.5 million shortfall, causing nearly 400 layoffs and cuts to programs.
Wednesday, the Hartford superintendent said an additional $10.5 million in funding from the city has allowed them to only lay off 60 people for the upcoming school year.
“We're in a much, much better place after all of the support and the work that we've done with the community to build the budget, right, that was going to get us through,” said Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez.
Torres-Rodriguez says Hartford Public Schools will be holding a town hall for parents closer to the start of the school year.
As for this commission, the Mayor says eventual solutions and proposals aren’t just for the city, but likely for the Connecticut General Assembly ahead of next year’s legislative session.
----
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.