Racial Justice Coalition Calls Residents to Action for City Emergency Housing and Education Funding
Saying, “New Britain deserves better!” the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is calling city residents to action, in support of city funding for emergency housing and education.
Mayor Erin Stewart (R) is set to announce her budget for the upcoming year tomorrow. After that, the Council will consider the budget.
“We’re calling on the New Britain Common Council to fund emergency housing for those in crisis and fully support public schools by meeting the Board of Education’s budget request,” the Coalition says.
The Coalition is asking residents to sign onto an online petition letter in support of the two goals.
On the petition website, the Coalition says that it is calling on the city to, “Allocate funds for emergency shelter or rental assistance in case of fire or inclement weather,” adding, “This demand calls for the city to set aside funding to support individuals and families who face sudden housing crises due to emergencies such as house fires, extreme weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.:
“This would also support guaranteed shelter funding for individuals during inclement weather,” the Coalition says, “regardless of whether the governor has a protocol in place. Many emergency shelter programs currently depend on state-level protocols, leaving unhoused individuals vulnerable when these are not activated. A dedicated local fund would ensure immediate protection for those in need, independent of state decisions.”
“This could include partnerships with local shelters, hotel vouchers, short-term rental subsidies, or direct financial aid,” says the Coalition.
Second, the Coalition is calling on residents to call on the city to, “Fund the Board of Education’s full request for city public schools.”
“This demand urges the city to meet the complete budget request made by the local Board of Education to ensure public schools receive necessary funding,” the Coalition says.
The Board of Education has requested a city allocation of $142,612,481 for the budget year that begins in July, but the Stewart-appointed city Board of Finance and Taxation cut that down to $130,560,000. Stewart’s budget for the current year that ends in June provided $128,000,000 in operating funding for the city’s schools.
The Coalition says that supporting the Board of Education’s budget proposal, “responds to chronic underfunding, which can lead to larger class sizes, outdated materials, staff shortages, and inadequate student support services.”
Stewart has often been criticized for a pattern of low city funding to New Britain’s schools, with the school operating budget line item appearing to increase only 3.48% in the entire eleven years of her administration, apparently leaving city schools with less of this funding after inflation was taken into consideration . The low city education funding been tied to low test scores in the city’s schools.
The Coalition says that, “Full funding would help maintain or improve special education services, extracurricular programs, and other essential resources that contribute to a quality education for students.”
“Full funding would help maintain or improve special education services, extracurricular programs, and other essential resources that contribute to a quality education for students,” the Coalition adds.
