Conn. Lawmakers Hope Lawsuit Will Bring Money For Schools
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WCBS 880) – Lawmakers are urging Gov.-Elect Dan Malloy to settle a lingering lawsuit that would bring more state education dollars to the city.
The most desperate cities are the ones fighting for money, WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau reports.
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State representative Chris Caruso said the city gets about 75 percent of its school funding from the state, but that's not enough to adequately educate the city's 20,000 students.
"In Bridgeport, for example, one guidance counselor is responsible for 900 children," Caruso said.
Caruso added that many of the kids, most of who are from low income families and attend city schools, lack proper textbooks and writing materials. He said Gov.-Elect Malloy, who as mayor of Stamford was an original plaintiff in the lawsuit, has indicated his willingness to try to settle it.
Caruso said he hopes the lawsuit will settle as soon as possible because he said the students truly need it.
"School buildings that are over 100 years old, lack of paper to write on, lack of updated school books" are among of the few reasons Caruso said the schools need help.
