A rally has been held at the state Capitol by educators, students and some lawmakers backing a bill about the Education Cost Sharing Grant Formula and funding of other education programs. Danbury Superintendent Kevin Walston says city leaders have advocated for years for Danbury's fair share of ECS funding, and this is a solid first step in creating a more equitable funding model for the district. Mayor Dean Esposito says he appreciates a number of local representatives for being co-sponsors of this bill. Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents Executive Director Fran Rabinowitz says this would accelerate the ECS formula’s phase-in schedule and fully funds all districts beginning in Fiscal Year 2025 when one-time federal COVID relief funds expire. Esposito and Walston say the district would also be able to leverage historic, but temporary, federal funding for on-going expenses.