Malloy's Plan Gives Stratford Schools $576K More

Under a new proposal put forward by ,the would receive some $576,597 in additional education funding for fiscal year 2012-13.

Under the proposed 012-13 Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding, Stratford would receive $21,072,199, a 2.81 percent increase from this year's ECS entitlement, according to the town funding list released by governor's office (the list is posted in the gallery that accompanies this article).

This represents an increase of about $77 per student for Stratford schools.

The governor's proposed school reform aims to improve the lowest-performing school districts.

If approved, Stamford would see the largest ECS funding increase in the state at 11.53 percent; Bridgeport schools would be bumped up 2.68 percent; Milford would see an increase in ECS funding of 2.98 percent; and Fairfield would receive no increase or decrease in ECS funding.

To be enacted, Malloy's sweeping legislative proposal to the state's education system must first be approved by the Connecticut General Assembly, which .

State Sen. Kevin Kelly, a Republican representing Stratford in the 21st District, , which introduced elements of the governor's plan for school reform.

In the video, Kelly says Malloy promised similar school reform last year. "But what he also did was hand the state of Connecticut and its taxpayers $1.5 billion increase in taxes -- the state's largest in its history."

"Parents would also agree that we need to make sure we have the best education possible for our children," Kelly said. "However, the devil is always in the details."

A couple weeks ago , who will retire at the end of 2012, presented her school budget to the Board of Education. The draft of "anticipated expenditures" for the 2012-13 school year was an increase of .41 percent from this year.

"This budget allows us to maintain status quo," Cornish told school board members. No schools would have to close under this draft, she said.

The proposed school budget did, however, remove one elementary school teacher and put a one-year freeze on funding for library books.

Cornish could not be reached for comment late Thursday, but the Connecticut Post reported that the superintendent said the increase in ECS funding would restore the teacher she proposed to let go.

Do you support the governor's push for school reform? Tell us in the comments.