Connecticut

CT’s new special education committee wraps up statewide listening sessions

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2025

CT’s new special education committee wraps up statewide listening sessions

Connecticut’s newly formed Select Committee on Special Education is wrapping up its statewide listening tour as parents and education advocates listed a litany of ongoing issues, from early placement to lack of special education teachers.

The criticism comes as members of the state legislature prepare to request more special education funding for this year’s budget session.

State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox,a democrat, representing Bridgeport, Trumbull and Monroe, is the co-chair. Gadkar-Wilcox says many parents have complained their children’s schools are not adequately placing them in specialized classes.

“Sometimes students have not been identified for placement in specialization education,” Gadkar-Wilcox said. “Sometimes we have situations where we have language learners that if we had better early intervention programs, they would not be misidentified.”

One such parent, Tara Mientus, an educator who declined to say where she worked, spoke at the final listening session in Hartford Thursday and has a daughter with double deficit dyslexia.

“If she had gotten her diagnosis earlier, she would have been able to probably meet remediation and close the gap,” Mathis said. “And currently she is not closing the gap, and she is entering ninth grade, and this is very concerning.”

Governor Ned Lamont proposed a $54 million increase earlier this month but Gadkar-Wilcox said it only begins to address the problem.

“Every advocate and superintendent and Board of Ed will tell you that, even though it sounds like a lot, $54 million is not a lot, even to account for the deficit of the costs that have already been spent,” she said.

Mark Mirko

Connecticut Public

Jennifer Zabetakis, a parent of a child with special needs, talks with State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-Trumbull) before a listening session held by the newly convened Select Committee on Special Education

Lamont’s office was reached for comment but did not respond by Thursday evening.

Gadkar-Wilcox says part of the reason why the $54 million doesn’t solve the issue, is the high transportation costs associated with busing students outside their districts, as a result of the schools not having the capacity to provide the required services.

CT Mirror previously reported the proposal would only take place starting 2026, as advocates worry about reduced federal investments.

Gadkar-Wilcox said members of the committee will soon start working on negotiation efforts during the state’s budget session. Parents have also called for the state to implement a special education ombudsman to facilitate discussions between state officials and parents.

Tom Cosker lives in Rocky Hill and said his child has multiple disabilities and has been positively impacted by being able to learn within his regular school, among peers.

“What we’re looking for is to really reduce the reliance on outplacements of students with special education needs, both from a cost savings, but more importantly, just from keeping our students included in their home district,” Cosker said.

Source link

Connecticut

Two people shot in New Haven restaurant Saturday evening

Published

9 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Two people shot in New Haven restaurant Saturday evening

New Haven police say two people were shot at a restaurant on Grand Avenue Saturday evening.

One of the victims was a 22-year-old male from East Haven who was shot in the leg and was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment.

According to police, the second victim was a 17-year-old male and arrived shortly after.

While on scene, police confirmed one of the possible shooters was still inside the restaurant.

According to police, the victims were both inside the restaurant when the teen was approached by Naguea Bratton and another suspect.

They say a fight occurred which resulted in both victims being shot.

Police detained Bratton who was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, two counts of illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine and larceny of a motor vehicle.

Bratton is being held on a $200,000 bond.

Both victims have non-life-threatening injuries police say.

They say additional arrests are expected to be completed by warrant.

Source link

Connecticut

27 Wrestlers Named State Open Wrestling Champions In Connecticut Over Weekend; Xavier Dominates Tournament

Published

22 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

27 Wrestlers Named State Open Wrestling Champions In Connecticut Over Weekend; Xavier Dominates Tournament

Over the weekend, the two-day CIAC State Open wrestling championships took place at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven, Connecticut.

Twenty-seven wrestlers (14 boys, 13 girls) were named champions in their respective weight classes, displaying intense wrestling featuring the best wrestlers across the state.

Championship bouts started around 4:15 p.m. on Saturday and lasted about two hours.

Below are the results from both the boys’ and girls’ state open championships.

106 lbs.: Xavier’s Josh Perez def. Stafford’s John Bean 17-2 (technical fall)

113 lbs.: Ridgefield’s Cole Desiano def. Suffield/Windsor Locks’ Peter Annis 8-0 (decision)

120 lbs.: Xavier’s Zack Dixon def. Somers’ Will Acorsi 12-0 (majority decision)

126 lbs.: Windham’s Delmazio Despard def. Xavier’s Alexander Depratti 4-3 (decision)

132 lbs.: Fairfield Warde’s Jude Grammatico def. Xavier’s Zaphyr Musshorn 2-1 (decision)

138 lbs.: Ledyard’s Lukas Boxley def. Terryville’s Ethan Bochman Rodriguez (pin)

144 lbs.: Xavier’s Braylon Gonzalez def. Ridgefield’s John Carrozza 3-1 (decision)

150 lbs.: Bristol Central’s Alex Lamarre def. Middletown’s Isaiah McDaniel 1-0 (decision)

157 lbs.: Newtown’s Antonio Arguello def. Notre Dame-West Haven’s Riley Storozuk 8-4 (decision)

165 lbs.: Gilbert/Torrington/Wolcott def. Trumbull’s Hubert Szymko 2-0 (decision)

175 lbs.: Xavier’s Vincent Rivera def. Fairfield Prep’s Jack Lilly 14-10 (decision)

190 lbs.: Xavier’s Chase Catalano def. Fairfield Warde’s Dylan O’Brien 2-1 (decision)

215 lbs.: Lyme-Old Lyme’s Taiyo Gemme def. Staples’ Julian Rousseau (pin)

285 lbs.: Shelton’s Chase Galke def. Ellington’s Jacob Palermo 3-0 (decision)

100 lbs.: South Windsor’s Sophia Gordon def. West Haven’s Isha Khanna (pin)

107 lbs.: RHAM’s Brooke Heffernan def. New Milford’s Clara Reynolds 9-2 (decision)

114 lbs.: Branford’s Ava Gambardella def. Jonathan Law’s Selena Batres 6-0 (decision)

120 lbs.: Trumbull’s Jillian Blake def. Fairfield Warde’s Monica Flores Romero 17-1 (technical fall)

126 lbs.: Ellis Tech’s Adelina Tate def. Fairfield Ludlowe’s Ashlynn Cummings (pin)

132 lbs: Amity’s Eliana Selaris def. Daniel Hand’s Evely Lavigne (pin)

138 lbs.: Stratford’s Winner Tshibombi def. Greenwich’s Gaby Aliaga 22-8 (majority decision)

145 lbs.: Stratford’s Gabriella Kiely def. New Milford’s Josephina Piel (pin)

152 lbs: Bunnell’s Matilda Tote def. Shelton’s Ella Piccirillo (pin)

165 lbs: Trumbull ‘s Marangelie Teixeira def. New Britain’s Kaydence Atkinson (pin)

185 lbs.: Platt’s Kayli Morris def. Bristol Central’s Shyann Bryan (pin)

235 lbs.: Norwalk’s Jeily Euceda def. Maloney’s Arianna Bellamy (pin)

Xavier High School (Middletown, CT) has been the most dominant wrestling program in the state in recent memory. Once again, they stole the show in the state opens, winning its fifth-straight state open title.

The Falcons had seven wrestlers compete out of the 14 state open titles in the boys’ division and had five winners with two runner-ups. As a team, they totaled 218.5 points, which was 72 more points than any other team.

Source link

Connecticut

Pedestrian killed after being struck by Amtrak train

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Pedestrian killed after being struck by Amtrak train

An investigation is ongoing in Stonington after a person was fatally struck by an Amtrak train Saturday morning, according to Stonington police.

Police were notified around 11:25 a.m. by Amtrak police that a pedestrian was struck by a train between the Route 1 overpass and the Prospect Street and Palmer Street railroad crossing.

When crews arrived, they pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The train involved is stopped while Amtrak police conduct their investigation and ask the public to avoid the area at this time.

Authorities say there is no threat to the public.

No further details were released.

Source link