Granby to Add Two Open Choice Students, Pending Funds

Two additional students from Hartford may have the opportunity to attend Granby Public Schools next year as part of the Open Choice Program if the state increases funding.

Participating districts in the program currently receive a base grant of $2,500 for each out-of-district student.  There are 77 students projected for the 2011-2012 school year but that number could increase to 79 in 2012.

A bill before the state legislature (#6502: An Act Concerning the Open Choice Program)  would raise the compensation from $2,500 per student to $6,000 if the number of out-of-district students in that district is at or above 3 percent of the total population. 

The program allows students from Hartford to have the opportunity to attend schools in the Greater Hartford area, and students who live in the suburban areas are given the chance to attend school in Hartford. 

Superintendent of Schools Alan Addley said the district was asked in April to take a few more than the 77 students projected for next year and the district declined. 

However, at Wednesday's Board of Education meeting, Addley made a request that the board consider taking two additional students if the funding levels are raised and the bill is passed. 

“I would like to request that we write back to the commissioner,” Addley said. 

If the funding remains at $2,500 however, the district would not accept the additional students. 

Addley said both he and board chair Cal Heminway have been advocating for additional funds for the Open Choice students, and added that the district could see approximately $270,000 more if the funding comes through. Addley said the district currently gets about $400,000 through the Open Choice Program, and the additional funding would bring the amount up to about $660,000. 

“I would suggest we take the two additional two students if the additional $269,000 actually comes through,” Addley said. “Honestly I think it's the right thing to do.”

Heminway told the board that roughly 1,500 students are part of the choice program right now, and the intent is to raise the total population to 3,000 next year.

Board member John O’Connor drew attention to that fact that Granby is one of the districts in the area with the highest participation of Choice students, for a town of its size. 

“We’re doing pretty well right now in terms of participation,” he said, adding that he hoped other towns would follow suit.