Bridgeport, CT – Republican state senator and gubernatorial hopeful Ryan Fazio used a handout that read “ZIP CODE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE A STUDENT’S DESTINY IN CONNECTICUT” as the centerpiece of his education speech on Aug. 27. Speaking outside Warren Harding High School, Fazio attacked Gov. Ned Lamont’s record, saying the governor’s policies tolerate a “soft bigotry of low expectations” that leaves Connecticut with the second‑largest Black‑white achievement gap in the nation.
Choice over lotteries
Fazio highlighted two local success stories – Capital Prep in Bridgeport and the Stamford Charter School for Excellence – both magnet schools that serve predominantly non‑white populations. He claimed the current administration has blocked their expansion, forcing families to rely on lotteries and waitlists for coveted seats. “There are hundreds or thousands of students waiting, hoping, praying with their families just to win a lottery to get into a great charter or magnet school,” he said.
Under his plan, the state would eliminate lotteries entirely, guaranteeing every student a spot at the school of their choice. The proposal would have major implications for municipal districts, since a portion of state funding follows students to the programs they enroll in. Critics in Hartford have warned that such a shift could divert needed dollars away from city schools.
Common ground with the governor
While Fazio positioned his education agenda as a stark contrast to Lamont’s, he acknowledged several areas of overlap. Both candidates support the science of reading and aim for every child to read proficiently by third grade. Lamont’s administration recently announced additional funding for K‑3 literacy interventions, a move mirrored in Fazio’s platform. Both also favor a bell‑to‑bell ban on cell phones in schools.
Fazio did, however, emphasize his outsider status, noting that Lamont has been in office for eight years and that academic outcomes have declined during that time.
Funding and inflation
Addressing the chronic shortfall in Connecticut school budgets, Fazio pledged to tie state aid to inflation – an idea that has bipartisan support in the General Assembly. Lamont faced criticism earlier this year for not including an automatic inflation adjustment in his proposed budget, though he eventually signed a $180 million boost. Estimates suggest Connecticut schools have lost up to $800 million due to missed inflation adjustments, a gap that the state’s strict budget caps make difficult to close.
The governor’s response has been to convene a bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission, composed of 23 members, to study funding reforms. The commission will release recommendations by Jan. 15. Fazio said he is open to adopting some of those recommendations but did not provide specifics on how his plan would balance the numbers.
Community reaction
Fazio’s remarks on school choice sparked sharp criticism from local elected officials. Rep. Jennifer Leeper (D‑Fairfield) called the timing “an intentionally cruel move on the first day of school” after ICE agents reportedly arrested parents in Danbury the day before the press conference. She warned that aggressive federal immigration policies could erode trust in government and jeopardize children’s safety.
Rep. Marcus Brown (D‑Bridgeport) expressed offense that Fazio promoted charter schools in front of a public high school, saying “that’s not what Bridgeport families deserve.” Both lawmakers framed the debate as one of safety, parental rights, and the role of public schools in their communities.
Looking ahead
Fazio’s education platform will be a central theme as he seeks the Republican nomination for governor. The proposal to eliminate school lotteries and guarantee choice aligns with a broader national conversation about parental rights and local control of education. Whether the plan can gain bipartisan support in the state legislature, and how it will affect funding for traditional district schools, remains to be seen.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
