Senator Gordon Secures Increased ECS Funding in FY27 Budget, Continues Push for Long-Term Reform

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) secured increased Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding for towns across the 35th district, included in the recently passed state budget adjuster bill, while reaffirming his commitment to securing stronger, more sustainable education investments in the years ahead.

Senator Gordon has been a consistent advocate for increasing ECS funding and reforming the formula to better support our communities. Over the past several years, he has worked to stop approximately $7 million in education cuts for local towns in the district. He has also worked for meaningful increases to the ECS funding foundation to better reflect rising costs and inflation.

“I have been fighting to bring more ECS funding to our towns because our students, schools, and taxpayers deserve better,” said Senator Gordon. “This budget moves us in the right direction by increasing funding for our communities. $5.7 million in more funding! While it is not as much as I believe is needed, it is still a positive step forward and builds on the work I have been doing to improve how we fund education in Connecticut.”

Senator Gordon has also introduced and supported proposals to significantly increase the ECS foundation amount and tie future increases to inflation, ensuring more predictable and sustainable support for school districts. He has worked with colleagues, local officials, and stakeholders to build momentum for long-term changes to the formula.

Under the FY27 budget, towns in the district will receive the following ECS funding increases:
• Ashford: $138,362
• Chaplin: $66,086
• Coventry: $318,116
• Eastford: $37,888
• Ellington: $413,666
• Hampton: $42,336
• Stafford: $382,060
• Thompson: $301,388
• Tolland: $364,222
• Union: $38,171
• Vernon: $3,276,608
• Willington: $138,264
• Woodstock: $199,622

“These increases will provide important support to our local schools and help ease the burden on property taxpayers,” Gordon added. “But there is still more work to be done. I will continue pushing for a fairer, more transparent ECS formula that delivers the consistent and adequate funding our communities need.”

Senator Gordon remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen public education while addressing affordability challenges facing families, seniors, and businesses across Connecticut.
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