HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Governor Ned Lamont is proposing to expand Connecticut's Open Choice Program to Danbury and Norwalk to address overcrowding in urban school districts and declining enrollment in nearby suburban schools.
The Open Choice Program allows students in urban communities to attend schools in nearby suburban towns that voluntarily participate, according to state officials. The state covers the cost of transportation for students and provides a grant to the hosting district for each student.
Many Connecticut lawmakers voiced support for the program alongside Lamont Friday, including State Representative Bob Godfrey (D-Danbury).
The program will address overcrowding in Danbury schools which Godfrey said has become a serious problem.
"It got to the point where Danbury High School had to extend the time between classes because the corridors were so overcrowded that the students couldn't move between classrooms in a timely fashion," he said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not made things any easier. Godfrey said Danbury and surrounding areas have seen a large influx of families from parts of New York State moving to Connecticut because of COVID-related issues. That influx has put more pressure on school systems that are already overcrowded, he said.
State Senator Julie Kushner agreed with Godfrey, adding that the overcrowding issue has made it difficult to reopen schools safely given the limited space for proper social distancing.
Many lawmakers shared other benefits of expanding the program such as educational opportunities for students and increased diversity in classrooms.
With the state paying for student transportation and offering grants to the receiving school district per student, there was some concern over whether the state can cover those costs.
However, State Senator Will Haskell said the costs are about $900,000 which he calls "quite modest" in the scheme of the state budget.
"It's a real great return on a relatively low investment for the taxpayers of the state of Connecticut," Godfrey said, "I think this is a win-win not only for students and education, but it's a win-win for budget and taxpayers."
According to Haskell, 42 districts currently participate in the program, serving over 3,000 students.
