By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Despite the shutoff of federal stimulus funding for the school year that just began, the state—surprisingly—lost fewer teaching jobs than when nearly $1 billion was being funneled into Connecticut schools.
“It’s the smallest reduction we’ve had in years by far,” said Joseph Cirasuolo, executive director of the state superintendents’ association. “It’s the first year without federal [stimulus] money. We didn’t lose anywhere near what we were expecting.”
A survey completed by 90 percent of the state’s superintendents found that they are starting the year with 393 fewer teachers, a 1 percent reduction since last year. In the previous two years—when the state received millions in federal stimulus money—districts shedded 1,200 positions in the 2011-12 school year and 1,500 in the 2010-11 year.
“Districts are left with far fewer teachers today, which results in larger class sizes. It’s a downward spiral,” said Eric Bailey, a spokesman with the Connecticut chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.
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