Coutu Pushes Legislation to Assist Schools

Hartford- This legislative session Representative Christopher Coutu (R- Norwich) attempted to pass landmark legislation that would utilize a small portion of legislative mailing funds to support 67,000 students that attend independent schools across Connecticut.

His proposal, offered as an amendment, would create a tax credit for corporate donations to scholarships for low to middle income families. This would encourage individuals and businesses to support local nonpublic academic institutions.

The idea stems from the fact that many nonpublic schools in Connecticut are struggling to remain open in the poor economy. Recently, six large non-public schools including the Norwich Diocese’s St. Joseph’s announced in Norwich will close its doors in June. Over the past 10 years, over 20 schools have closed and thirty thousand less students are in the non-public school system.

“It’s a shame that because of the current economic situation, students and parents in Connecticut are seeing options and opportunities become limited,” Coutu said. “It is unfortunate that elected officials in Hartford do not recognize that a small portion of funds from their mailing privilege could help educate 67,000 students. Makes me question their priorities and commitment to real educational reform…”

Coutu says the proposal, if passed into law, would be a small step in helping an education system that saves the state, taxpayers and municipalities $700 million a year by keeping these students from moving into municipal schools.

“We are aware that currently it is proposed that up to 2000 teachers may be let go. If these schools continue to close we will see an influx of students into the public school system, the burden would be great and we would all feel that burden with increase in number of students per classrooms and taxes,” Coutu added.

While the amendment failed in the waning hours of the legislative session, Coutu convinced an impressive bipartisan coalition of 12 Mayors and close to 50 Representative and Senators from across the state to sign on to the proposal.

“This problem isn’t going away, so I am not going to give up on it. I just have to work extra hard to change the business as usual culture in Hartford,” quipped Coutu. “The future of our kids and educational system depends on it.”