Mae Flexer

Flexer Secures Additional Funding for Thompson

HARTFORD, CT –In the budget that starts today, Senator Mae Flexer secured additional funding for the town of Thompson, ensuring the town will receive $204,459 in funding each year over the next two years.

“I’m thrilled that we secured this funding for Thompson,” said Senator Flexer. “One of my most important responsibilities as a legislator is making sure students in our towns get what they need and deserve. Most importantly, this funding will provide needed support to Thompson public schools and students. Since Thompson has been designated as an Alliance District, I have been working closely with leadership of the school district to secure the resources that that designation is supposed to provide. Providing our students with the best resources allows them to thrive inside and outside of the classroom and puts them on a path for success in the future. I will continue to work closely with Thompson and the state Department of Education to ensure that Thompson schools are getting all of the support that they deserve to ensure that every student can thrive.”

Earlier in the legislative session, the town of Thompson was initially excluded from receiving any additional funding. Unfortunately, proposals addressing this funding problem did not advance and therefore did not receive a vote in the House of Representatives or the Senate. Thankfully, Senator Flexer’s leadership resulted in the funding being included in the budget.

“Since we became an Alliance district, Senator Flexer has worked tirelessly to get this funding approved,” said Thompson First Selectman Ken Beausoleil. “It’s going to be a big help and will be used accordingly to ensure our students receive the resources they need to thrive. I’m very appreciative and want to thank Senator Flexer for sticking up for her district and fighting hard for us.”

“On behalf of the students of Thompson Public Schools I am truly grateful for Senator Mae Flexer’s efforts to secure funding for additional instructional support and resources for our children,” said Melinda Smith, superintendent of Thompson Public Schools. “Thompson was named an Alliance district last year. However, due to a glitch in the funding language the district was not eligible to receive an allocation for Fiscal Year 2019. In July 2018, Senator Flexer met with me, representatives from the Department of Education, and Thompson Board of Education Chair William Witkowski, to determine how she could help the district secure the grant. She has been advocating for a full year to ensure Thompson students receive equitable resources offered to other Alliance districts. Without Senator Flexer’s support it would be very difficult for the district to develop an improvement plan that requires financial resources to improve student outcomes. Senator Flexer remained true to her word that she would do her best to help the children of Thompson Public Schools. We learned that she was successful and could not be more thankful.”