Testimony:

Ronelle Swagerty
State Black and Latino Caucus
Chief Executive Officer and Title IX Coordinator
New Beginnings Family Academy

Good evening Chairman Morris, elected officials, and community
members. My name is Ronelle Swagerty, and I am the Chief Executive
Officer and Title IX Coordinator of New Beginnings Family Academy in
Bridgeport. I stand before you as a proud school leader who represents
Black and Latino students from every neighborhood in Bridgeport that
are defying the odds through their perseverance and tenacity.

I am here today to discuss charter school accountability, an issue that is
of great concern to community members, parents, school leaders like
myself, and public officials. As a person who is responsible for preparing
students to be active and engaged citizens, I believe that legislating
increased accountability over charters is necessary to protect our
students from those who are seeking to advance their own interests.

At the same time, more focused accountability should be paired with
strategic plans to increase the impact that successful schools have on
the community. Many charter school leaders in Connecticut have not
only improved student performance, but we have also created strict
managerial and financial systems that ensure that every dollar is spent
with care.

Charter schools provide our students with quality school options that
have the potential to change the trajectory of their lives. As you
progress through this legislative session, I humbly ask that you
prioritize the needs of all students in Connecticut and continue creating
opportunities for each and every student to have access to a high quality
education.

Thank you for your time and your service to our community.