Connecticut State Department of Education calls for same changes in Hartford schools that Education Alternatives was fired for HARTFORD, CT - Recently the Connecticut State Department of Education reviewed Hartford Public Schools and came to, "a sobering but hardly surprising conclusion: Things must change radically," said the Hartford Courant in a recent editorial. The editorial went on to quote Education Commissioner Theodore S. Sergi who said, "...it has become crystal clear that every one and institution within and linked to Hartford public schools must change." The Courant goes on to say, "There is an element of deja vu in reading the education department's blueprint for Hartford. It recommends changing curriculum, reducing number of children in special education classes and bringing in outside experts to find savings in the school budget. The report notes that Hartford spends considerably more of its budget on employees' salaries and benefits than other cities, but considerably less on classroom supplies and materials." Now, here's where the deja vu comes in according to the Hartford Courant: "Those were among the points raised by officials from Education Alternatives Inc., the private management firm fired by the school board earlier this year. Education Alternatives' wish to redirect resources from salaries and benefits to the classroom is one big reason it was chased out of town." According to Philip Geiger, president and C.O.O. of Education Alternatives Inc., "When we entered into a management contract with the Hartford Board of Education, the company proposed to redirect resources from salaries and benefits into the classroom and provide more cost-effective operational services, such as facilities maintenance and transportation. While we were never given the opportunity to complete our contract, we are proud of the work we were able to accomplish in a short amount of time. The bottom line is to help the children of Hartford get a good education. To say we have been vindicated by the Connecticut State Department of Education would be an understatement."