[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99,111],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5974259,"mediaKeyId","5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093","parentId",5864000,"title","District reports about 1,370 certified teachers and roughly 40 teaching vacancies; paraprofessional counts unclear","audioSeconds",247,"startMs",1813000,"endMs",2060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093&start=1813&end=2060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093/thumbnail_1813000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5974259/Connecticut/District-reports-about-1370-certified-teachers-and-roughly-40-teaching-vacancies-paraprofessional-counts-unclear","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974259-d765fb01a908d2273bdac3526d05a3fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770063085&Signature=eNtuAthh9DCUWj6BgptfGS8PoeB45HL7dVw0JaFyqNF9zP8~XbaNio~eUksJyeMnD~Vm-p7L5UDB2dvoucuUAeiLMpSmyf37yNuvPRLPeon4S3h9BxVdxmPHzYj7NS4XHjnGaeB90-MPrTdboPhWg6o1AOG8UfChqTfcv2gaGxJlraAZP66ZNoRM1NyxTUjAlMPv0KIcbTBBMGOtaCUxbDcJ57SwuZB67u9xlXjMBuPvZcNJFUSZR96Lansm0iLaSCsG8OsuINRknLtKfWWUncTLb~vbmLntZJC5aEN-2mqa6gsx7NLaQO7BxZJwiIgV2vPIj22OirzK-QZjDA6HhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bridgeport School District","date","2025-09-25T11:23:46Z","article","District administrators told the Instructional Support Services Committee they collected school organization charts for September and tallied roughly 1,370 certified teachers across the district, and that when shared services (counselors, psychologists, social workers) are added the total approaches the district’s expected staffing footprint.

The administration reported about 40 current teacher vacancies, plus two speech and language openings and four school psychologist vacancies. Those certified vacancies are being filled in some cases by long-term substitutes, and the Human Resources team will begin sending a weekly vacancy list to the board each Friday so members can monitor hiring and fill rates.

Committee members raised questions about the paraprofessional total that administration presented — principals returned an aggregate headcount of 288 paraprofessionals, but administrators said they have not reconciled which of those are classroom paraprofessionals, self-contained special-education paras, or 1:1 paraprofessionals supplied by agencies. The administration said some 1:1 supports are provided through outside agencies and may not be included cleanly in principals’ organization charts, so a reconciliation is underway.

The administration described plans to build a dashboard linking PowerSchool and Red Rover to generate live staffing reports; until that system is in place, staff manually tallied data for the committee. The committee asked the district to continue providing weekly vacancy reports and to return with a reconciled paraprofessional roster that distinguishes agency-contracted 1:1 aides from district employees.

No formal action was taken; the committee asked for recurring reports and documentation showing how vacancies and paraprofessional allocations will be staffed and monitored during the school year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Instruction & Support Services Committee Wed 9/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","District officials told the Instructional Support Services Committee they counted about 1,370 certified teachers in September and reported about 40 teacher vacancies, while paraprofessional totals require further reconciliation between school reports and agency-provided 1:1 aides.","taxTitle","Bridgeport School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",12999,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974264,"Athletic director outlines plan to expand middle-school sports; committee asks for written program list",997,503000,1500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093&start=503&end=1500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093/thumbnail_503000.jpg","/articles/5974264/Connecticut/Athletic-director-outlines-plan-to-expand-middle-school-sports-committee-asks-for-written-program-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974264-cdd8523de9e78af5088066bae1ff0c9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770063085&Signature=JDsXTGepUFzBjE~DMznu4IoBKcv6avkdoD1XUpyn2vK2HE2S0NQQ0bRvcQmIj-bRrjlpuF~CsMfLC0AGAuLe99sAZtJjBsBZdT2bQyWT902eVePolg9G7ezfzS5QxikeJBuoCh5cAbHrvlm6WRcPevRM1UQPPLFjDZIw9MsE-SsxtKgSBIX7w1wDMfn4Ov87TOr7wb8Ofg0FREdQc8pf7tdD5AXPCa7Oj8kCXCz4QdonUIRuZIf4s6~leWDDDw509psJxaZDG9W5bI2LPIw7cqCoaPfPRzEeJQV1qe0QMIGx-RWnpEsoM9bqJo8HbM129KdmEQVD1gKUZdiL1vHO9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The athletic director told the Instructional Support Services Committee the district is actively working with coaches and community partners to expand middle-school athletic opportunities in grades 3–8, and asked the committee for patience while program details and budgets are finalized.

Speaking at the start of the school year, the athletic director said the district is discussing clinics and camps in fall, spring and summer; plans include intramural models and showcasing middle-school matches alongside high-school contests to raise visibility. “We’re talking about clinics and camps in the fall, in the spring, in the summer,” the athletic director said, describing plans to translate youth-level skills to the high-school level.

Committee members raised space constraints at several school sites and asked about budgets, equipment needs and potential community partners. The athletic director named community organizations under discussion, including Caribe, the Bridgeport Field of Dreams Foundation, Park and Recreation, and local youth sports groups, and said some partners had offered to offset costs in exchange for operational support.

Board members asked for a written report listing current high-school and middle-school athletic offerings by school, proposed middle-school programming, estimated budgets, and league alignments. Chair Rob Traeger asked the athletic director to return with a summary that the committee could use to track progress and staffing needs throughout the year.

The committee did not take formal action but agreed to schedule the item for future updates and asked the athletic director to include participation numbers and partner commitments in the next report.","The district athletic director briefed the Instructional Support Services Committee on plans to develop middle-school athletics (grades 3–8), including clinics, intramurals, and partnerships; the committee requested a written report on current offerings and proposed expansion.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974268,"Committee refers $75,000 debate-team grant travel to full board for approval of Washington, D.C. trip",294,164000,458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093&start=164&end=458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093/thumbnail_164000.jpg","/articles/5974268/Connecticut/Committee-refers-75000-debate-team-grant-travel-to-full-board-for-approval-of-Washington-DC-trip","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974268-85fe8cf4040232416933a9b7b163731c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770063085&Signature=QX~mami1-ljwhLwmewpjaof7Nkpy57jC9YmE1swnfVbD2i4mtXBZ7QVOxxdOTHb-pfIPeEjTIbgfSqSpR7EKYXvtq3KmDLApsTUwG3jliN9PoDPohOUIwRY7Zoo5acngXkcFXY-DdGrZ~su-V59jqZtBEeaM2NO~Usq0YVCbLruYgnnlX42jp-AlBFuwNkpCBBwNpGTiCGKBkuWUtFQsEDqXOdAovgUwdsjIrjPMQWVcKJ1MIF7h3SifqTKwh8xW4TgvWgF4PCrYxjIL9icSCeevahSig5BJIqe9ytL6MroP5ocF2Cxix8WV4WxtoqTwB4f5qJOvHvUQBj0~eItKNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Instructional Support Services Committee referred to the full Board of Education a request to approve Bridgeport Public Schools’ debate team travel to the Washington, D.C., Urban Debate League Dragon Tournament in November 2025.

Committee members said the debate team received a $75,000 state grant this summer to support travel, coaching, judge coverage and supplies. A district representative said the trip would take eight students to the tournament and that travel dates would include an overnight departure on Nov. 6 and return on Nov. 9 (dates described in committee discussion).

Members praised the grant and credited a state senator for supporting the award. A district speaker said the senator had been instrumental in securing funds and the committee expressed hope that the senator could attend the regular board meeting when the trip is considered.

The referral motion — moved by Albert Benahan Grajales and seconded by Andre Woodson — passed unanimously. Chair Rob Traeger said the committee would move the travel request to the full board’s next meeting for final approval and acknowledged the work of school staff and volunteers who prepared paperwork and reservations.

The administration told the committee the trip requires out-of-state approval under district policy and that final reservations were pending the board’s clearance. The committee asked for final trip details, including itineraries, chaperone assignments and line-item confirmation of grant spending, to be provided to the full board prior to the vote.

If the full board approves, the district said it will finalize travel logistics, complete required out-of-state approvals and implement grant procurement rules for coaches and judges covered under the grant.","Committee members learned the debate team received a $75,000 state grant and unanimously referred a request to send students to the Washington, D.C., Urban Debate League tournament to the full board for approval.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974271,"Committee recommends restoring $1.3 million for kindergarten paraprofessionals, refers measure to full board",1455,2740000,4195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093&start=2740&end=4195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093/thumbnail_2740000.jpg","/articles/5974271/Connecticut/Committee-recommends-restoring-13-million-for-kindergarten-paraprofessionals-refers-measure-to-full-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974271-653ff2b64d5bbde31391f3e4368e2321/orig.mp4?Expires=1770063085&Signature=KU24-q-mRkR6Sgec30otKh-9yT6Vyl-0ltFgfFKwVTgHK1~cypsoIIn7fBWBsAEkV5Gt4YN4idE2IgOMBAYC02PYFSxCtR7iWph~XRZWwG42xuId7-I7oTxQx4ES57Jt-gMWXgIHvtsINYzgczjnxYfSAR9SFJo4DQ5O2H~2z0IDEUZHso-wIWokri-iibdZJSRO3NJd4GdOj0KIPwZLmw3WnUUnCXKP1-WoM~ZSjzv2g0D3l~x~~s3PCULUDsjf0pYBp01YoUDLsXnPOB~PCVCYO7p6MIjf5Ho8SuFjxlDw5bwLwU2RjcyFqiKKGNrNrae9EEDoU8jSzEG7YNoC6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Instructional Support Services Committee voted unanimously to refer to the full Board of Education a motion to restore $1,327,000 in funding for kindergarten paraprofessionals. The committee approved the referral after district leaders told members they had identified money within the current budget and were also seeking state grant support.

Superintendent Dr. Avery told the committee that after on-site visits to multiple kindergarten classrooms and discussions with teachers, district staff determined classroom conditions required additional paraprofessional support. “I think we found the $1,300,000 within our current budget in order to bring back all of the kindergarten paras,” Dr. Avery said during the meeting, and asked the board to schedule a special meeting so the district could move quickly to hire or reassign staff.

The move matters because committee members and teachers had raised concerns about increased student needs this year and the effect of the prior summer’s budget cuts that removed kindergarten paraprofessionals. Dr. Avery said the district originally cut the positions as part of a broader $1.3 million cost-saving plan adopted earlier in the summer and later concluded the students entering kindergarten this fall presented more intensive needs than expected.

At the meeting, Dr. Avery described steps the district took to identify funds, including reviewing grant line items, reducing projected substitute expenditures, and working with the grants office and finance staff to reallocate funds where possible. He said he had also requested permission from the state commissioner to use a $5,000,000 allotment that might cover part of the restoration but had not yet received a response.

Board members who spoke in the committee praised the administration’s work to locate funding but pressed for a public accounting of the internal reallocations. One member asked why the funding restoration was not handled over the summer; Dr. Avery answered that budget forecasts are built on prior-year patterns and that the district identified savings only after comparing current-year needs to projected substitute and agency costs.

The committee motion to restore full funding — moved by Albert Benahan Grajales and seconded by Andre Woodson — passed unanimously and was referred to the full board for approval. Chair Rob Traeger said he would confer with the board chair to call a special Zoom meeting \"as quickly as possible\" so hiring and implementation could begin.

If the full board approves, the administration said it would start implementation immediately, notify contracted agencies and vendors (including Delta/Kelly substitute arrangements noted in the presentation), and begin onboarding paraprofessionals to provide classroom support.

The committee also asked the administration to return with a short written plan showing sustainability steps, projected recurring costs, and how the restored positions will be staffed and monitored over the school year.","The Instructional Support Services Committee voted unanimously to refer a proposal to restore $1,327,000 in funding for kindergarten paraprofessionals to the full Board of Education and asked the board chair to convene a special meeting to consider approval as soon as possible.",{"_32":112,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":113,"_40":114,"_42":115,"_44":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974253,"Committee hears special-education corrective-action status; absenteeism flagged at 33.7%",143,4267000,4410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093&start=4267&end=4410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864000-0e57162102312b92e36096f62bdd2093/thumbnail_4267000.jpg","/articles/5974253/Connecticut/Committee-hears-special-education-corrective-action-status-absenteeism-flagged-at-337","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974253-cdcdf4492d7e7a48d1765874ce3014a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770063085&Signature=IURdrzEhuGKNJLa7K~v2guIg4UoylmvagJ9DD3BvqNQ58~VQOSCDMi1nr12OwBF~SQPFcs6GFQSEgk3Rv4BaQfhkaFhRMvW5uv-4EJUyzOd9vBu8yHDB6fX8LJQozrPzkPoGykCSvVnesePNeirscOLN0BKIUEU6MQIXGVIh31vM2OSnG~x66z65u-5eb2yf2E~yuSzHYCs3qRc6qcREDvqhdDQn7PfCw2LRllddG6Wbnd9rGzJ7Kyn~VxQMl4oOcel06zj8aPLFaHz0WZ6nq-Efuc8LZv3JrPVC5wnEZQC551ilKl6pYLakhzkJIqaVjpmT4w2JXmUbvhKfvu7xtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The district’s special-education director reported to the Instructional Support Services Committee that the district currently has three state complaints requiring corrective actions, and that a combined corrective action plan addresses timely compensatory services, special-education chronic absenteeism and discipline data.

The director said one systemic complaint dating to the 2021–22 period led to corrective actions focused on ensuring students receive compensatory services when services were missed, improving timeliness of responses, and addressing discipline-related service interruptions (in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and expulsions). A separate corrective reporting requirement examined discipline data for 2023–24.

The special-education director reported the district’s special-education absenteeism rate as 33.7 percent and described a separate self-assessment that identified gaps in providing services to students during suspensions (including cumulative suspensions). The director noted federal law differs from Connecticut state guidance on services during suspensions and that district training is ongoing to ensure staff provide services during shorter suspensions as well as longer ones.

Committee members and administrators said more training and clearer administrative protocols are necessary so that principals and assistant principals consistently arrange instruction and services for suspended special-education students. The committee asked administration to continue professional development, to ensure campus leaders know their responsibilities and to return with progress updates on corrective-action milestones.

The committee was also told of three special-education vacancies (resource-room teachers), four psychologist openings, and one sign-language interpreter facilitator position currently being filled through contractors; administrators said they are seeking district hires while using contracted services where necessary.

No vote was taken; the committee directed staff to return with a timeline for corrective-action compliance and with data showing how services are delivered during suspensions at the campus level.","The special-education office told the Instructional Support Services Committee about three state complaints, corrective action plans addressing compensatory services, chronic absenteeism and discipline, and reported that special-education absenteeism stands at 33.7 percent for the district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District reports about 1,370 certified teachers and roughly 40 teaching vacancies; paraprofessional counts unclear

Athletic director outlines plan to expand middle-school sports; committee asks for written program list

Committee refers $75,000 debate-team grant travel to full board for approval of Washington, D.C. trip

Committee recommends restoring $1.3 million for kindergarten paraprofessionals, refers measure to full board

Committee hears special-education corrective-action status; absenteeism flagged at 33.7%