Bridgeport · In the State

A History Of Inequity & Resistance: Community and Legislators Get Together For Round Table On Education Justice

What are the emerging patterns of control and resistance? How does the history [of education inequity] connect to issues you identified as being most important? These are just some of the questions a room of about a hundred attendees contemplated at Housatonic Community College last Saturday morning — the start of what Founder and Organizing… Continue reading A History Of Inequity & Resistance: Community and Legislators Get Together For Round Table On Education Justice

Bridgeport · Students

In-Fighting Over Open Bridgeport BOE Seat Ends With More Delays

Bridgeport Public Schools is facing a $15.1 million deficit that may result in hundreds of paraprofessionals, home school coordinators and school guidance counselors losing their jobs. There’s talk of massive cuts to transportation and other vital services. Put simply, the district is in crisis. And, yet, instead of focusing on finding resources or parent concerns,… Continue reading In-Fighting Over Open Bridgeport BOE Seat Ends With More Delays

Bridgeport · Students

University Presidents Call Bridgeport Board Of Education Out Over Dysfunction and Then BOE Promptly Proves Them Right

Last Thursday, the Bridgeport Higher Education Association (BHEA) sent a letter to Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzel expressing their concerns over the Bridgeport Board of Education’s dysfunctional behavior. In the letter, signed by Fairfield University President Jeffrey Von Arx, Housatonic Community College President Paul Broadie II, University of Bridgeport President Neil Salonen and Sacred Heart… Continue reading University Presidents Call Bridgeport Board Of Education Out Over Dysfunction and Then BOE Promptly Proves Them Right

Bridgeport · Students

Majority Board Members Attempt to Silence Minority Party on the School Board

Let’s be honest, as far as the Working Families Party-controlled school board is concerned, former Board Chair Rev. Kenneth Moales’ greatest sin is being too outspoken. That’s precisely why the board voted 6-1 at Tuesday night’s meeting in favor of asking City Attorney Mark Anasazi to look into whether Moales’ connection to the Kingdom Little… Continue reading Majority Board Members Attempt to Silence Minority Party on the School Board

Students

Bridgeport Board of Education Considering Ending Facilities Merger That Saves The District $1 Million

Despite all logic, it seems the Board of Education’s facilities merger with the city may be on the chopping block once again. The facilities merger, which began in 2012, has saved the school board’s operations budget approximately $1 million. At Monday’s meeting, board member Howard Gardner made several comments about the facilities merger, insisting that… Continue reading Bridgeport Board of Education Considering Ending Facilities Merger That Saves The District $1 Million

Bridgeport · Budgets

More Foolhardiness In Bridgeport: Board Of Education Considering Ending Joint Facilities Management

Of course, in all of its infinite wisdom (I jest, of course), the Bridgeport Board of Education is considering discontinuing joint facilities and building operations management with the city. Tax savings and improved buildings be damned! I was just forwarded this letter submitted to the Board of Education by Jorge Garcia, the Director of Public… Continue reading More Foolhardiness In Bridgeport: Board Of Education Considering Ending Joint Facilities Management

Students

Bridgeport Teachers Could Ink A New Contract On Thursday

Bridgeport’s teachers could ratify a new, three-year contract this Thursday, and though the terms of the contract are not being made public yet, here’s to hoping the Bridgeport Board of Education takes advantage of the rare opportunity it has in its hands.[Connecticut Post, 1/15/2014; Bridgeport Board of Education, Agenda, 1/16/2014] A few miles up I-95,… Continue reading Bridgeport Teachers Could Ink A New Contract On Thursday

Budgets

Mayor and State Dept. of Ed Strikes MBR Deal

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and the State Department of Education have struck a deal to allow the city to make up for the $3.3 million education funding shortfall through in-kind services, a reduction in the school board’s contribution to workers compensation payments, and additional state funding. The mayor issued a press release and letter from… Continue reading Mayor and State Dept. of Ed Strikes MBR Deal

Bridgeport · Students

WFP Coalition Wins Control of the School Board

Voter turnout for Tuesday’s election was low across the city. A mere 11.6 percent of registered voters made it to the polls. Black Rock, as usual, saw higher numbers at 26 percent voter turnout. [Moderator’s Report, 11/5/2013] Unendorsed Democrats Andre Baker, David Hennessey and Howard Gardner all received over 3,000 votes in unofficial tallies. The… Continue reading WFP Coalition Wins Control of the School Board

Bridgeport · Budgets · Students

More Proof Unendorsed Dems are Working with WFP

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