In the State

Yale Educational Leadership Panel Asks Why Our Funding System Has To Be So Complicated?

“Until those who are in power decide to give some power up, this means absolutely nothing.” State Board of Education Member Erik Clemons is talking about discussions on the state’s funding formula — a hot topic ever since Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher ruled that the way the state doled out education spending was “irrational”… Continue reading Yale Educational Leadership Panel Asks Why Our Funding System Has To Be So Complicated?

In the State

Bridgeport BOE Member Maria Pereira Facing Four Human Rights Complaints: Conspiracy or Long Overdue?

It looks like Bridgeport’s school board members might be back in court again. Earlier this week, it was revealed that school board member, Maria Pereira, is facing four complaints with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunity, including a complaint filed in September by outgoing interim Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz. To complicate matters, this may… Continue reading Bridgeport BOE Member Maria Pereira Facing Four Human Rights Complaints: Conspiracy or Long Overdue?

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 · Reform · Students

Bridgeport Superintendent Resigns: Yet Another Victim Of Hostile School Board Politics

I should congratulate Maria Pereira! She finally got her way. To the detriment of 21,000 Bridgeport children, she’s finally pushed Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz out of the district. Good Job. With her help, Bridgeport became the third urban school district this month to abruptly lose its superintendent mid-year. In her resignation letter, sent on Wednesday and addressed to school… Continue reading Bridgeport Superintendent Resigns: Yet Another Victim Of Hostile School Board Politics

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

Students

Pereira Threatens Litigation Over Approval Of Columbus School Commissioner’s Network Letter of Intent

Who could possibly be against getting more funding and resources to the students of Bridgeport? Apparently, there’s one Bridgeport Board of Education member who is; Maria Pereira. She has vowed to file a formal complaint with the State Board of Education and possibly seek legal action over last Monday night’s vote to allow the Interim… Continue reading Pereira Threatens Litigation Over Approval Of Columbus School Commissioner’s Network Letter of Intent

Students

Bridgeport Teachers To BOE: It’s Time To Stop The Nonsense & Work Together

I think it’s safe to say that political gridlock is nothing new for the Bridgeport Board of Education.  However, last Monday night’s school board meeting, where a majority of the 4 ½ hour meeting was spent bickering over ‘points of order’ and whether BOE members should receive hand delivered committee packets, illustrated a sad new low.… Continue reading Bridgeport Teachers To BOE: It’s Time To Stop The Nonsense & Work Together

Students

Bridgeport Schools Facing $2.5 Million Deficit

The Bridgeport Board of Education received bad news at last night’s Finance Committee meeting: The district might be facing more than a $2.5 million budget gap. According to Marlene Siegel, “due to a number of factors it could grow,” and the district’s “target for budget savings” is actually closer to $3.5 million. Back in 2010,… Continue reading Bridgeport Schools Facing $2.5 Million Deficit

Students

Bridgeport’s “Interim” Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz Will Be Sticking Around After All

It appears Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz has decided she’d rather stay in Bridgeport after all. On Monday night, shortly after being named as a top contender for the position of state Education Commissioner, the Bridgeport Board of Education voted 7-2 to extend Rabinowitz’s contract until July 2017. This news comes after the BOE had already extended… Continue reading Bridgeport’s “Interim” Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz Will Be Sticking Around After All

Students

Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz Among Top Contenders for State Education Commissioner

The Bridgeport Board of Education might be in the market for another superintendent sooner rather than later. According to Linda Lambeck at the Connecticut Post, interim Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz is among the top candidates vying for the job of state Education Commissioner. Governor Dannel Malloy is set to interview Rabinowitz as well as two other… Continue reading Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz Among Top Contenders for State Education Commissioner