In the State

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

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

Bridgeport · In the State

New Beginnings Family Academy’s Ronelle P. Swagerty Schools Detractors On Charter Innovation

As of late, collaboration between charter schools and traditional public schools has been a big topic of discussion in Connecticut — specifically, whether charters are working as the “laboratories for innovation” that they were meant to be (which, in itself, is debatable). The reason for the sudden uptick in focus is pretty obvious. With the governor announcing… Continue reading New Beginnings Family Academy’s Ronelle P. Swagerty Schools Detractors On Charter Innovation

Bridgeport

Bridgeport Board Of Education Appoints New Interim Superintendent

It looks like the Bridgeport Board Of Education is capable of agreeing on something — yesterday evening the school board met as a nine-member panel for the first time in months for a special board meeting, where they unanimously voted to appoint Aresta Johnson to the position of interim superintendent. Johnson, a Waterbury native who… Continue reading Bridgeport Board Of Education Appoints New Interim Superintendent

Bridgeport

FaithActs Hosts Community Forum With MOST Of Bridgeport’s Board of Education

On Monday, November 21, 2016, FaithActs for Education, is hosting a community forum with the Bridgeport Board of Education. The event will take place at Cathedral of Praise, 45 Gregory Street, Bridgeport, CT, at 6:00 PM. “Bridgeport deserves better from its elected Board of Education,” reads the organization’s press release, likely in reference to the… Continue reading FaithActs Hosts Community Forum With MOST Of Bridgeport’s Board of Education

Reform · Standards · Students

Bridgeport Board In Complete Disarray During Pivotal Time

What a shameful state of affairs — on the very same day the New York Times published an article detailing the gross inequity faced by students attending Bridgeport schools, a political feud between board members halted the city’s school board. Monday afternoon, the Connecticut Post reported that school board chairman Dennis Bradley canceled the school… Continue reading Bridgeport Board In Complete Disarray During Pivotal Time

Budgets · Students

Bridgeport Teachers Tell Like It Is: Diary of Underfunding In Connecticut Urban Schools

Here is some summer required reading for state legislators. Originally published in the New Haven Register,  A group of nine Bridgeport teachers wrote a powerful letter describing how the conditions at chronically underfunded schools gradually tear down the self-worth of students.   The letter was a response to a comment made by the Director and… Continue reading Bridgeport Teachers Tell Like It Is: Diary of Underfunding In Connecticut Urban Schools

Bridgeport · Budgets · Hartford · Reform · Students

Sheff v. O’Neill Turns 20: How Long Will It Take For The State To Fulfill Its Promise To Connecticut Kids?

Last Saturday marked a major anniversary for Connecticut, though you’d never know it. It wasn’t total radio silence, but certainly not the usual fanfare that comes from the 20th anniversary of a seminal supreme court case. The most prominent mention of the landmark Connecticut State Supreme Court Case Sheff v. O’Neill, which turned 20 on… Continue reading Sheff v. O’Neill Turns 20: How Long Will It Take For The State To Fulfill Its Promise To Connecticut Kids?

Bridgeport · Students

Bridgeport Board Of Education’s Grudge Against City Has Gone Too Far: BOE Ignores Parent

Over a hundred parents packed Geraldine Johnson School’s auditorium. It was so full the fire marshal was called. And, yet, despite their numbers, school board members didn’t bother to acknowledge their concerns. They even barred the majority of the parents from speaking. Of the dozens of parents that signed up to comment, only fifteen got… Continue reading Bridgeport Board Of Education’s Grudge Against City Has Gone Too Far: BOE Ignores Parent

Students

Hennessey Makes Quiet Exit From Bridgeport School Board

At this point, sudden resignations have become a perennial event for the Bridgeport Board of Education. Since 2014, two members abruptly ended their terms. Former Chair Dave Hennessy will be the third. According to the Connecticut Post, Hennessey handed in his letter of resignation to the city clerk’s office on Tuesday morning, after quietly leaving… Continue reading Hennessey Makes Quiet Exit From Bridgeport School Board

Students

Achievement First Parents Speak Out Against Pereira Appointment: “This Is Clearly Not In the Best Interest Of Children”

What exactly does Maria Pereira gain from forcing her way onto Achievement First’s Board of Directors? What are her ulterior motives? These were some of the many questions asked by upset public charter school parents who came out in full force to Bridgeport Board of Education’s Monday night meeting to oppose the appointment of Pereira,… Continue reading Achievement First Parents Speak Out Against Pereira Appointment: “This Is Clearly Not In the Best Interest Of Children”