As this unprecedented legislative session comes to a close and a new state budget has been passed, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to every legislator for their tireless work over the past five months.

A proposal that would have sent millions of dollars to some public schools beginning next year through a change in state funding meant to further equity between Connecticut school districts has been postponed for further study.

We applaud the Appropriations Committee for taking steps toward equitable education funding in its budget proposal released on April 21. We applaud the Appropriations Committee for taking these steps and for remembering Connecticut’s students during this difficult budget process and building toward an equitable education finance system. Unfortunately, even these positive steps do not amount to the leaps Connecticut must take in order to equitably fund all public school students.

Last fall, our organization conducted an analysis that revealed a $639 million funding gap between Connecticut’s majority white school districts and all other public school districts in the state. As staggering and unconscionable as that $639 million figure is, it is an unacceptable yet unsurprising reality for tens of thousands of Connecticut students, their families, and their teachers who continue to be shortchanged and inequitably funded.

We at the School and State Finance Project are horrified and disturbed by the events this week in Atlanta, Georgia, and the recent rise in hate crimes against the Asian, Pacific-Islander, and Desi-American (APIDA) community. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of not only these eight victims, but to every Asian community member who has faced violence and bigotry at the hands of white supremacy. We unequivocally condemn this behavior, and stand in solidarity with the APIDA community.