Dozens of students from Bridgeport and six other inner cities packed the Connecticut state Capitol on Thursday, urging lawmakers to send them more funding.

In the Park City, it could prevent – or at least limit – massive cuts and layoffs.

Local schools are likely to receive additional money this year, but legislative leaders warned that it will not be as much as they’re asking for.

The situation is especially dire in Bridgeport, which is facing a $30 million budget shortfall. That’s why students and school leaders took their case directly to Hartford.

“I think the biggest part of that is having kids advocate,” said interim Schools Superintendent Dr. Royce Avery. “This is giving our youngsters an opportunity to really step forward and say, ‘We too are affected by this.’”

The Bridgeport Board of Education recently voted to cut 20 teachers, all 15 librarians and five assistant principals – and that’s on top of 45 positions eliminated in December. School buses for 2,400 students are also on the chopping block.

Money isn't the only problem for Bridgeport schools. The State Department of Education is now overseeing the district’s operations as well.

MORE MONEY?

Students from Norwalk, Waterbury, New Haven, Hartford, New London and Vernon also lobbied at the Capitol.

“Our favorite teachers are being cut,” said Hartford student Christina Jackson. “Teachers that have worked in our district and done a lot for us.”

State lawmakers are looking at more school funding, especially for skyrocketing special education costs. The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee approved a budget that spends an extra $248 million on special needs students – far beyond what Gov. Ned Lamont proposed.

Dozens of districts would also avoid $26 million in scheduled cuts under a multi-year school funding overhaul.

“These are the young people we often talk about when we're talking about the future of the state of Connecticut,” said state Sen. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven).

But leaders from both parties warned that inner-city districts are unlikely to get as much as they’re asking for.

“It’s a challenge,” Connecticut House Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford) told reporters. “It’s all subject to the spending cap and budget and whatever room we have within it to do it.”

School leaders want lawmakers to relax the state’s “fiscal guardrails” – especially since they could face deep funding cuts from the federal government.

But Republicans said districts will have to tighten their belts.

“Unfortunately, some of that pain and prioritization is going to need to occur,” said House GOP leader Vin Candelora (R-North Branford). “But I do think it’s important to fund education – especially fully funding special ed.”

Connecticut lawmakers are negotiating a budget deal with Lamont. They have until June 4 to pass a new spending plan.

Meantime, Bridgeport school leaders are also asking City Council for more money. Mayor Joe Ganim has proposed a $3 million increase over last year’s budget, but he said the state will have to step in to avoid painful cuts.

He hopes students made the difference.

“Very often we make the case,” he said. “But to have the students make the case themselves, to be the faces of what may impact – and be able to be the voices of the effect of that impact – is very powerful.”