$1.08M Approved For Hamden Schools In State Bond Package

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden will receive more than $1 million in state funding for schools as part of a package approved by the state Bond Commission on Tuesday.

The state Bond Commission approved another round of Alliance District funding and a $10 million pool of money for technology upgrades, according to officials.

Hamden is slated to receive a $1.08 million grant-in-aid in Alliance funds. The funds will be used for security and windows at the West Woods, Ridge Hill and Dunbar Hill elementary schools as well as for capital improvement projects in future years.

State Representative Michael D'Agostino (D-Hamden) thanked Gov. Ned Lamont and the state Bond Commission for approving the funds.

"These funds offer much-needed resources to meet the many challenges schools are facing during the pandemic," D'Agostino said. "School districts have been saddled with unforeseen expenditures because of the transition to remote and hybrid learning, and I thank Governor Lamont and all the Bond Commission members for taking the initiative and providing assistance through both of these bonded items."

Hamden will also apply to the Connecticut Department of Education to obtain funds for technology upgrades from the $10 million technology pool. The district is expected to use the funds to pay for enhanced remote learning, as needed during the coronavirus pandemic, including laptops and both software and hardware upgrades.

“As we continue to restructure the learning environment during the COVID crisis, these funds will support our efforts in combatting chronic absenteeism, improving teacher instruction, and providing Common Core Based after-school learning activities to strengthen skills development," Hamden Superintendent of Schools Jody Ian Goeler said.