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Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable' Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable'
Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable' Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont returned home on Monday, March 3, and vetoed a $40 million spending measure for special education initiatives in cities and towns across the state. Now, educators are urging lawmakers to override that decision. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last week before reaching the governor's desk. The measure would allocate $40 million to this school year's budget to cover special education funding gaps. Lamont told reporters Monday that he wanted to preserve the state's spending cap, which is designed to keep the state financially stable. State lawm…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Two CT Colleges Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why Two CT Colleges Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why
Two CT Colleges Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why Choosing a college is about more than academics, sports, and social life — campus beauty can also make a lasting impression. Travel magazine Conde Nast released its 2025 list of the 54 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the United States. Across the Northeast, several schools stand out for their historic architecture, stunning landscapes, and picturesque settings. Whether framed by rolling hills, autumn foliage, or Gothic spires, these colleges offer students an inspiring backdrop for their studies. Connecticut Wesleyan University was recognized for utilizing Greek Revival a…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment
Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment Several Northeast states are among the most educated in the US, excelling in school quality, college attainment, and overall academic achievement, a new study said. Massachusetts was ranked as the country's most-educated state, according to a WalletHub study released on Monday, Feb. 10. Maryland was second, followed by Vermont, Colorado, and Connecticut in the top five. The study analyzed all 50 states using 18 factors, including educational attainment, quality, and achievement gaps. "There's a strong correlation between being more educated and receiving higher compensation," said Wal…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A
CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A Students in one Connecticut town will get a rare chance to hear directly from NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Rocky Hill Library will host the talk between astronauts and kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade, NASA said in a news release on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The 20-minute space-to-Earth call will happen at 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Don Pettit will answer prerecorded questions about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. "The goal is to engage area students by introducing them to the wide variety of STE…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
(Update) CT School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police (Update) CT School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police
(Update) CT School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police Update: Police have reopened the intersection of Harpers Ferry Road and East Main Street following the bus crash on Wednesday morning, Feb. 5. The man who was hit is in serious but stable condition, Waterbury police said.  Original: A 73-year-old man suffered serious injuries Wednesday morning, Feb. 5, after a school bus struck him at an intersection, police said. The crash happened around 8:23 a.m. at Harpers Ferry Road and East Main Street, authorities said. Officials have not released details on what led to the crash. Five students were on the bus, along with the driver, but n…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
CT School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board CT School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board
CT School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board A Connecticut school leader who is accused of crashing his car while driving intoxicated last month will not be fired, the school district announced this week.  Superintendent of Pomperaug Regional School District 15 Joshua Smith, 52, was charged with operating under the influence and failure to maintain his lane in the Jan. 18 crash, Southington police said this week.  Smith crashed his 2015 Lexus on Mulberry Street in Southington around 1 a.m. when he slammed into a utility pole and another vehicle in a driveway, authorities said. Eversource had to repair the pole, whi…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School
New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School A brand-new study has uncovered surprising trends in teen phone use during school hours, raising fresh concerns about digital distractions in the classroom. The study, published by JAMA Pediatrics on Monday, Feb. 3, found that students spent a significant portion of the school day on their phones, with messaging, Instagram, and video streaming among the most-used apps. Researchers also noted that a quarter of students logged more than two hours of screen time during class. In addition, students whose parents held bachelor’s degrees or higher spent about a half-hour less on their phones dur…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix
Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix A Connecticut teacher was placed on administrative leave earlier this month after refusing to remove a crucifix affixed to a wall near her desk, authorities said. Now, a group known for handling religious liberty cases in public schools is championing her cause. Marisol Arroyo-Castro, who has worked in Connecticut schools for 32 years, has been a teacher at DiLoreto Elementary & Middle School in New Britain since 2003. She has kept the crucifix by her desk for a decade, according to a Jan. 21 letter from the First Liberty Institute. However, in December, one of the school’s vice princip…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
CT Teacher Ran Facebook Scams Using School Computers: Police CT Teacher Ran Facebook Scams Using School Computers: Police
CT Teacher Ran Facebook Scams Using School Computers: Police A Connecticut high school teacher is facing serious charges after police uncovered an alleged vehicle-selling scam on Facebook that he was allegedly running using school equipment, authorities said. James O’Neil, a teacher at Stratford High School, was arrested following a weeks-long investigation by Stratford police, officials said. Authorities allege O'Neil used Facebook Marketplace to sell vehicles illegally by altering documents, including bills of sale, police said. Detective Jennifer Murolo began investigating in November 2024 after receiving an anonymous tip about O’Neil’s activitie…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
CT Art Teacher Dies Unexpectedly, Middle School Says CT Art Teacher Dies Unexpectedly, Middle School Says
CT Art Teacher Dies Unexpectedly, Middle School Says A Connecticut middle school art teacher died unexpectedly over the weekend, school authorities announced to the community.  Saxe Middle School Teacher Alyssa Iwanski died this weekend, Bryan D. Luizzi, Superintendent of New Canaan Public Schools said in an email to parents on Sunday, Jan. 12.  He did not disclose when or how Iwarnski died. It's unclear how long she worked at the New Canaan middle school.  It is with deep sadness that I share the unexpected passing of one of our teachers, Saxe Art Teacher Alyssa Iwanski, over the weekend. We do not have additio…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
CT Schools Dismissing Early Due To Extreme Weather Conditions CT Schools Dismissing Early Due To Extreme Weather Conditions
CT Schools Dismissing Early Due To Extreme Weather Conditions Schools across Connecticut have announced early dismissals on Wednesday, Dec. 11 due to a storm that is expected to bring up to 60 mph winds and coastal flooding to parts of the state. The following districts are dismissing early: Bolton Public Schools Colchester Public Schools East Hampton Public Schools Groton Public Schools Marianapolis Prep. School (Thompson, CT) Montville Public Schools Preston Public Schools Stonington Public Schools Did we miss one? Email [email protected] The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for southeast Connecticut, with south winds r…

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by Cecilia Levine