LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ & LOCAL OFFICIALS RECOGNIZE MORE THAN $3.7 MILLION FOR ELLINGTON SCHOOL AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS

(ELLINGTON, CT) - Today, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz joined the Ellington legislative delegation and local officials to highlight more than $3.7 million in grant funding recently allocated to Ellington schools to support air filtration system upgrades.  

“As we continue to take stock of the lessons learned throughout the past few years of the pandemic, we understand the need to make necessary upgrades in our schools’ infrastructure to ensure that our kids have a healthy learning environment,” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz. “This grant funding is transformative for Ellington. When we invest in the wellbeing of our students, teachers, and schools, the returns on our investment will be seen for generations to come.” 

"The HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program is a testament to the collaboration between our legislative partners, agency colleagues, union and municipal leadership, and other advocates ensuring our schools are equipped with modernized ventilation systems to promote healthy air quality," said Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Michelle Gilman. "We at DAS are proud to manage this critical program that supports Connecticut's students, staff, and families." 

“Ellington is one of 20 towns in Connecticut that is receiving this HVAC grant Monday because of the expedient and the decisive actions taken by not only the Ellington Board of Education, but also the Ellington Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen,” said Jennifer Dzen, Board of Education Chair.

“Ellington is a beautiful town, a great place to raise your family, and a great place to enroll your children in school,” said Superintendent Dr. Scott Nicol. “This funding is benefitting three of our schools and I’d like to thank our representatives in the legislature who advocated for Ellington, and of course the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.” 

“Both Governor Lamont and Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz has made sure that we have a really robust public-private partnership so that we don't hesitate on these initiatives that are so important to our health,” said State Senator John Kissel. “Not only will this benefit the health of the students, the pupils, the children of Ellington and the surrounding towns, but will also benefit the professional educators, the teachers, the administrators, and the maintenance personnel.”

“When I would speak with parents who have young children and local leaders in my district, there was a resounding sense of urgency around improving air quality in schools, so I’m thrilled we can deliver for our town with this project,” said State Representative Jaime Foster.

Ellington schools received the funding through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, a newly established state grant program that is providing funding to public schools throughout Connecticut to make upgrades to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.