As if you needed any more proof that the unendorsed Democratic candidates were working with the Working Families Party: On Thursday, former Mayoral Candidate Mary-Jane Foster announced she will be hosting a meet and greet for Working Family Party candidates. She’s already hosted one during the primary for the Democratic challenger slate and has been… Continue reading More Proof Unendorsed Dems are Working with WFP
The Board of Education met with City Council’s Budget Appropriations Committee Monday to discuss teacher and administrator contract negotiations. The meeting lasted only ten minutes and very little discussion took place. State statute requires the Board of Education to meet and “confer” with city fiscal authorities prior to the start of collective bargaining negotiations.… Continue reading Board Meeting on Teacher Contracts Ends Early
Monday night the Board of Education will meet with city officials to discuss upcoming contract negotiations with the teacher’s union. [Board of Education Agenda, 9/26/2013] The Bridgeport Education Association’s (BEA) three-year contract with the district will expire in 2014, and negations are due to begin sometime this fall. Last time around, the teacher‘s union agreed… Continue reading BOE Meets to Discuss BEA Contract
After the endorsed slate lost in the Democratic primary, Mayor Finch offered an olive branch to the victors, inviting them to meet and discuss educational issues. The challenger slate—Dave Hennessey, Howard Gardner and Andre Baker—refused the mayor’s offer. Instead of politely refusing, however, their Working Family Party backers flung baseless accusations about the meeting invitation.… Continue reading Challenger Slate Rejects Mayor Finch’s Olive Branch
A recent editorial by the Connecticut Post’s Hugh Bailey implied the recent changes at Dunbar school were not community supported, citing the recent primary results—where only a few hundred votes were casted—as proof. An actual member of the East End community, Bishop Richard Griffith, responded by writing a letter in support of Dunbar’s turnaround plan.… Continue reading Community Member Speaks Out in Support of FUSE at Dunbar
Last week Andre Baker, Working Families Party and Democratic candidate for Bridgeport’s school board, told the Connecticut Post that he would be willing to work with Superintendent Paul Vallas. [Connecticut Post, 9/12/2013] That may not be the case, according to an article posted on The Atlantic’s website Tuesday. [The Atlantic, 9/17/2013] According to the Working… Continue reading The Atlantic Reveals WFP Looking to Oust Vallas
On Tuesday, The Atlantic offered a one-sided commentary on Bridgeport’s Board of Education primary election results. The article opens with the statement: “Progressives and unions say a primary in Connecticut last week shows momentum is turning against the corporate-backed charter-school movement.” [The Atlantic, 9/17/2013] Of course, unions and the Working Families Party would promote their… Continue reading My Commentary on The Atlantic’s Coverage of the Bridgeport School Board Election
The challenger slate, Howard Gardner, Dave Hennessey and Andre Baker, won Tuesday’s Democratic primary in a landslide. Many, including the Connecticut Post, are calling this victory proof of a growing anti-Vallas, anti-Finch consensus. I’m not certain we can assume that much, considering turnout was an anemic 11-12%. Most likely, Tuesday was the result of a… Continue reading If Elected, Would Garner, Hennessey and Baker Oust Vallas Before Year’s End?
Teach for America has been hot-button issue in Bridgeport as of late. The district’s move to slightly increase the number of Teach for America (TFA) teachers employed became controversial at last month’s Board of Education meeting. A lot of the fear stems from the perception that TFA teachers are less effective in the classroom because… Continue reading Recent Study Concludes TFA Teachers Have Positive Impact on Student Achievement
Unofficial results show the challenger slate winning Tuesday’s Board of Education Democratic primary by a 1,000 vote margin. The challenger slate beat out the endorsed slate almost 2-to-1 despite the endorsed slate’s initial 841 absentee ballot lead. Turnout was very low; roughly only 10-12% of Bridgeport Democrats voted in Tuesday’s primary. The challengers, Andre Baker,… Continue reading Challenger Slate Leads BOE Race in Unofficial Results
