Malloy to Speak at Superintendents' Back-to-School Conference

Avon Superintendent of Schools Gary Mala joins school chiefs from across Connecticut Wednesday morning at the Department of Education's Back-to-School Conference in East Hartford.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is scheduled to address the attendees at around 9:15 a.m.

"I am curious to hear what the governor will say with respect to maintaining and possibly increasing the state's support for public education in the future," Mala wrote in an e-mail to Patch. "This is imperative as not to burden local budgets with having to make up for any reduced state commitment to our children." 

The budget is still a buzz topic at both the state and local levels as the unions vote on the SEBAC agreement. The outcome, possibly slated to be revealed as early as Thursday afternoon, will establish whether layoffs and program cuts will be necessary to close a $1.6 billion state budget deficit.

"Given the current condition of our state's economy, I am hopeful that we will hear a message that is nothing less than optimistic," Mala said regarding what the state has in mind for Connecticut education.

The conference starts at 9 a.m. at Rentschler Field on the third-floor club level.

Editor's Note: This article was updated at 10:21 p.m.