In 2016, Hartford Public Schools paid $65 million in tuition costs for Hartford residents attending schools in other districts. This year that figure has nearly doubled to $113 million–representing 25% of our total budget. While the overall budget has remained roughly the same size over the last decade, the increasing amount earmarked for tuition has inevitably reduced the funds available for our educators and students within HPS.
In the greater Hartford region, families have an opportunity to explore various education systems, outside of their local district, to find school options that they believe are best for their children. The spirit of the choice system is rooted in promoting greater diversity, school integration, and access, particularly for historically underserved communities, which HPS wholeheartedly supports.
While the choice system has benefitted some of the children in the Hartford region, HPS has faced unintended and disproportionate consequences that have had substantially damaging impacts on our students and schools. These include spiraling tuition and transportation costs, decreased revenue, and a growing concentration of student need that places additional financial strain on resources, diminishing our per-pupil investments. Combined with the decreasing general population in the city, this dynamic is pushing our school system towards an unsustainable future, jeopardizing our ability to meet the needs of our children. This scenario not only impacts Hartford but can also have wider implications across neighboring towns and the state, especially as we think about long-term workforce development and our ability to compete in the region and country.
To address the escalating tuition costs, we urge continued action from our state legislature and the governor. Although special education tuition outpaces general education and creates significant financial obstacles for HPS, we were encouraged by the work done by the education and appropriations committees during last year’s legislative session to provide relief to districts faced with the burden of rising tuition costs.
The general education cap contained in the 2024-2025 bi-partisan state budget equates to approximately $11 million in savings for HPS. This funding is crucial for our students and our educators. Nonetheless, the governor has proposed changes to the budget this year that would eliminate these savings and shift the burden of general education tuition back to the school districts. The proposal shifts the dollars to support several other important education programs, including early childhood programs. We support additional funding for child care and early childhood education, and as educators understand the vital need for more funding in this critical area. While we champion the expansion of early childhood education, we advocate for a balanced approach that maintains the tuition cap and seeks additional funding sources for early childhood education.
The $11 million in anticipated savings, which was supported by an overwhelming bipartisan vote in the General Assembly, could significantly enhance educational services. It would enable us to invest in our educators, from our teachers and paraeducators to our school counselors and nurses. It would enable us to fully fund our community schools model to ensure students’ basic needs are met so they come to school ready to succeed. It would allow the continuation of our Student Support and Success Centers in our neighborhood high schools. In just three years, these centers have been instrumental in helping over 300 students graduate high school on time. Moreover, it would enable the expansion of our college and career pathways, empowering our youth and contributing to a skilled, statewide workforce ready to face the challenges of a global economy.
Our school district can be everything we want it to be. And, the students and children in this city are beautiful, capable, and full of potential that can propel all of us into the future. Let’s keep the money in Hartford Public Schools and make the meaningful investment in public education that makes this city and state a hub for innovation, education, and inspiration.
Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez is superintendent of the Hartford Public Schools.
