Bridgeport Military Academy partial move to new high school leaves underclassmen placement unresolved

Interim Superintendent Dr. Adrian Avery updated the Facilities Committee Sept. 3 on the Bridgeport Military Academy (BMA) relocation and transition into the new high-school facility. Dr. Avery said the district placed one grade level — about 63 seniors — into the new building (referred to in presentation as the new BASIC) but that the remaining approximately 215 ninth- through eleventh-graders remain at the current BMA location because the new building does not have immediate capacity to house all four grade levels.

The district has explored several temporary locations and reported zoning and code complications for higher-education properties being repurposed for high school use. Dr. Avery said a University of Bridgeport building that was considered required additional code/zoning changes; Fairchild Wheeler was explored but required state permission tied to its magnet designation; the district continues to work with the state technical-assistance team and with municipal partners to identify a compliant location. "We don't have a lot of options," Dr. Avery said, describing a tight schedule and multiple pivots.

Why it matters: state grant and construction rules mean the district must have BMA students included in the new high school or risk having to reimburse state funding. Dr. Avery told the committee that not meeting the state requirement to have BMA students in the new building could create a repayment obligation the district and city would struggle to meet.

Key details - Current placement: about 63 BMA seniors are in the new high school; roughly 215 underclassmen remain at the existing BMA campus while temporary options are pursued. - Temporary-site challenges: a University of Bridgeport site required zoning/code changes; Fairchild Wheeler raised grant and state-approval issues; other UB-owned sites are under assessment. The district is evaluating mobilization/remobilization costs if construction schedules shift. - Timeline and risk: Dr. Avery said the district is aiming to resolve underclassmen placements between October and November but said the schedule is tight and options still under assessment. PJ/operations staff said mobilization timing for the construction schedule could create added remobilization costs if changes are required.

Discussion and next steps Board members urged quick solutions and asked for clear cost estimates, assurances that BMA program activities (early-morning drills, formations and specialized training) can be accommodated at any temporary site, and prompt parent communication. Dr. Avery and facilities staff said they will continue discussions with state officials and return to the committee with recommended temporary sites, cost estimates for remobilization if needed, and specific operational plans to preserve BMA programming.

Ending District staff told the committee they will continue to press the state and municipal partners for options and said they expect to have clearer site recommendations within weeks.