Tag: BOE Race Bridgeport

Does Connecticut Ever Follow Through? Another Reform Voted Down Before It’s Implemented
In the State

Does Connecticut Ever Follow Through? Another Reform Voted Down Before It’s Implemented

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State Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher’s sweeping ruling last fall in the CCJEF v. Rell case was supposed to be a “game-changer.”  It was supposed “upend” Connecticut’s dysfunctional school system, but it seems the legislature is determined to continue business as usual. To see what I mean, look no further than the General Assembly’s unanimous decision to push forward a bill that loosens… Continue reading Does Connecticut Ever Follow Through? Another Reform Voted Down Before It’s Implemented

UPDATE: Bridgeport Parents Stage 1.5 Mile Protest Walk Against Busing Policy Change
In the State

UPDATE: Bridgeport Parents Stage 1.5 Mile Protest Walk Against Busing Policy Change

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UPDATE: Good news. On Monday, no vote on this issue took place. That doesn’t mean that the school board can’t change the busing distance, just that a decision has yet to be made. As of yet, the issue is not on any upcoming agendas. On Monday, the Bridgeport Board of Education may vote on changing the… Continue reading UPDATE: Bridgeport Parents Stage 1.5 Mile Protest Walk Against Busing Policy Change

A History Of Inequity & Resistance: Community and Legislators Get Together For Round Table On Education Justice
Bridgeport · In the State

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

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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

Mayor and State Dept. of Ed Strikes MBR Deal
Budgets

Mayor and State Dept. of Ed Strikes MBR Deal

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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

More Proof Unendorsed Dems are Working with WFP
Bridgeport · Budgets · Students

More Proof Unendorsed Dems are Working with WFP

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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

Is It Ok for the BEA Contract to Use the Term “Mentally Retarded Children?”
Bridgeport · Students

Is It Ok for the BEA Contract to Use the Term “Mentally Retarded Children?”

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Mayor Bill Finch told reporters earlier this year that Superintendent Paul Vallas has “never seen a contract as bad as this.” Believe it or not, Vallas may be on to something… I’m not quite sure what part of the contract he was referring to; however, after reviewing the contract myself, I noticed a few lines… Continue reading Is It Ok for the BEA Contract to Use the Term “Mentally Retarded Children?”

Board Meeting on Teacher Contracts Ends Early
Bridgeport · Budgets

Board Meeting on Teacher Contracts Ends Early

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  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

BOE Meets to Discuss BEA Contract
Budgets

BOE Meets to Discuss BEA Contract

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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

Challenger Slate Rejects Mayor Finch’s Olive Branch
Bridgeport · Reform

Challenger Slate Rejects Mayor Finch’s Olive Branch

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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

The Atlantic Reveals WFP Looking to Oust Vallas
Bridgeport · Reform

The Atlantic Reveals WFP Looking to Oust Vallas

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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