This year, one of DFER CT’s priorities is to foster a substantive dialogue on shared services and interdistrict cooperation. As we’ve previously shared in our Fact Sheet on district regionalization, shared services can create savings and economies of scale, as well as improve student opportunities.
One thing that is clear in discussions to date is that there cannot be a one size fits all solution on regionalization and district collaboration. Despite our overall small size in comparison to other states, different regions of Connecticut present very different challenges. In the course of these discussions, two questions consistently are raised. (1) Why do some towns have the capacity to give greater educational opportunity than others? And, (2) When schools have extra classroom seats available and face declining enrollment, why shouldn’t students from neighboring towns fill them?
A complementary policy, expanding Connecticut’s Open Choice program, addresses both questions. It aims to increase options for students and address declining enrollment. To learn more, visit our chapter website, or check out our one pager here.