Klarides, Klarides-Ditria attend meeting, learn about issues facing educators

Connecticut Association of Boards of Education hosts event

State Rep. Themis Klarides, R-Derby

DERBY - State Representatives Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria met with local Board of Education members, Superintendents, Principals, teachers in Derby Wednesday to hear the top issues impacting schools K-12. 

An annual legislative breakfast is hosted by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

In attendance were superintendents, principals, teachers, and BOE Members from Ansonia, Derby, Orange, Milford, Seymour, Woodbridge, and West Haven. 

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour

Many expressed their concerns about school safety for both teachers and students. 
In addition, funding teachers' pensions, providing more opportunities for advanced manufacturing training, and ECS funding were discussed.

Klarides said, "Today's classrooms are much different than they were 10 years or even five years ago. I give teachers a lot of respect for the work they do day in and day out to teach our children.  It's important that we work this session to protect ECS funding for our communities and continue to prevent teachers' pensions from being placed on the backs of our towns and cities."

Klarides-Ditria said, "Teachers or students not feeling safe in a classroom is something that we need to fix. Having a safe classroom for all makes the learning experience more productive, which will lead to better performance by students. I will be talking to my colleagues this session to see if we can repass legislation to address school safety."

Last year, Gov. Dan Malloy vetoed S.B.453, a school safety bill that made several changes to school safety laws - the bill was co-sponsored by both Klarides and Klarides-Ditria. 

Malloy also vetoed a bill that would have prevented future governors from being able to cut ECS funding midyear.

This is a press release from Spencer Rubin, press secretary.