Board approves leases, grants and budget guide; calendar updated for Diwali and election-day early dismissal

At its Aug. 25 regular meeting the Bridgeport Board of Education approved several contracts and administrative documents the superintendent and staff had placed on the agenda.

Key approvals recorded on voice votes or standard motions included: - Renewal of the Bridgeport Adult Education lease at 418 Kossuth/Kasuk Street (motion moved and seconded; approved). - Fiscal-year 2025–26 Family Resource Center grant applications to the Connecticut State Department of Education for Cicella Bartalia School, Dunbar School and Theodore Roosevelt School (moved by Mr. Medina, seconded by Mr. Benahan; approved). - Approval of the university-school agreement and an associated expelled-student placement agreement (moved and approved by voice vote). - Approval of a subcontractor services agreement for the Bridgeport Prospers initiative through the Bridgeport Board of Education (moved and approved).

The board also reviewed and approved a draft district budget-planning manual prepared with state technical assistance. The superintendent described the draft as a year-long guide and said it includes timelines, responsibilities, a glossary and a training plan for staff and board members. Board members asked that the document be made public-facing and proposed several edits, including flexible date phrasing (“on or about” language) and a mechanism to track legislative session outcomes and potential new revenue. The board approved the draft as a working document and asked for edits and committee review.

Calendar change: The board approved a revised 2025–26 school calendar after the state recognized Diwali as a state holiday that falls this year on Oct. 20. To accommodate the added holiday without lengthening the school year, the district agreed — with the teacher collective bargaining unit — to make Nov. 4 (Election Day) an early dismissal for students and a professional-development day for teachers, instead of designating a February vacation day as a closure. Board members discussed security and logistics for election-day operations but approved the change.

Executive session items: The board met in executive session to discuss a workers’-compensation settlement. After the closed session the board authorized legal counsel to settle the workers’ compensation case as discussed in executive session and approved the motion on the public record.