Senator Gaston Outraged Trump Cuts Could Strip Millions From Local Schools

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) is outraged following the news that the Trump administration is withholding federal education funds. In the 23rd district, over $4 million would be withheld from Bridgeport and Stratford schools.

Late last month, the Trump Administration froze $6.8 billion in federal K-12 education funding for the 2025-26 school year. Connecticut schools are set to lose $53.6 million, 10% of their total federal education funding for the school year. Local schools will see significant funding cuts:

Bridgeport: $3,808,657

Stratford: $418,262

“This is deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” said Senator Gaston. “These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, this is real money that funds real classrooms, supports real teachers, and provides resources for real students. In Bridgeport alone, losing nearly $4 million could mean fewer school counselors, outdated textbooks, and even larger class sizes. The children in my district deserve better.”

Senator Gaston’s statement follows reporting by CT Insider, which detailed the town-by-town impact of the Trump administration’s decision to withhold roughly $53.6 million in approved federal funding from Connecticut schools for the 2025–2026 school year, affecting nearly every district in the state.