Tag: Brandon Clark

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

Reform

My Commentary on The Atlantic’s Coverage of the Bridgeport School Board Election

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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

If Elected, Would Garner, Hennessey and Baker Oust Vallas Before Year’s End?
Bridgeport · Budgets · Reform

If Elected, Would Garner, Hennessey and Baker Oust Vallas Before Year’s End?

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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?

Reform

Challenger Slate Leads BOE Race in Unofficial Results

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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

Students

Endorsed campaign calls for CEA to cease spending

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After filing a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, the endorsed slate is now calling for the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) to immediately end all spending on behalf of the challenger slate. It was revealed Wednesday that the CEA spent over $28,000 on independent expenditures on behalf of the challenger-slate. According to a statement… Continue reading Endorsed campaign calls for CEA to cease spending

Bridgeport · Reform · Students

Connecticut Post Q&A reveals insights on BOE candidates

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The Connecticut Post’s Q&A session with Bridgeport’s Board of Education candidates reveal some interesting insights on the six candidates running in next week’s Sept 10th primary. One thing that’s particularly striking—While all candidates seem to agree that smaller class-sizes and more parental involvement would be ideal—the slates are on opposite ends of the spectrum when… Continue reading Connecticut Post Q&A reveals insights on BOE candidates

Challenger slate’s close ties to teacher-union questioned
Bridgeport · Students

Challenger slate’s close ties to teacher-union questioned

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It appears the challenger slate might be in hot water with the state’s Election Enforcement Commission. According to a press-release sent out Wednesday, the endorsed candidates’ campaign will be filing a complaint against the challenger slate (Andre Baker, Dave Hennessey, and Howard Gardner) for “inappropriate coordination” with the Connecticut Education Association’s PAC. The Connecticut Education… Continue reading Challenger slate’s close ties to teacher-union questioned

Endorsed candidates not invited to public forum, event cancelled
Bridgeport · Students

Endorsed candidates not invited to public forum, event cancelled

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A public forum featuring all six Board of Education candidates, sponsored by Bridgeport area League of Women Voters and Common Cause in Connecticut was set for Tuesday, 6 P.M. at the Burroughs Center in Black Rock. The event, however, was cancelled by the League of Women Voters after Democratic endorse candidates, Kathryn Roach Bukovsky, Rev. Simon… Continue reading Endorsed candidates not invited to public forum, event cancelled

Public Forum Showcases Bridgeport BOE Candidates
Bridgeport · Students

Public Forum Showcases Bridgeport BOE Candidates

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“It’s all about the children” A statement repeated by Kathryn Bukovsky, Democratic endorsed candidate for Bridgeport’s Board of Education, but also echoed throughout Monday’s Citizens Working for a Better Bridgeport public forum, which featured both city and state candidates for the upcoming September primary and November general elections. The purpose of Monday’s forum was for… Continue reading Public Forum Showcases Bridgeport BOE Candidates