Board discusses Bridgeport Military Academy overcrowding, possible University of Bridgeport site and facilities master-plan work

Board members and facilities staff identified school overcrowding and long-term facility planning as priorities at the Sept. 8 meeting, including interim accommodations for Bridgeport Military Academy (BMA) and the need for a more robust community engagement plan about a potential East End school on the former Harding site.

Facilities committee members reported BMA is split between two locations — ninth through 11th graders in its former building and 12th graders at Bassick — and described the program as overcapacity. A facilities update said staff are seeking accommodations “closer to Bassick” and said the district is exploring use of a University of Bridgeport building to house all students while a longer-term solution is developed.

Why it matters: Split campuses complicate operations and instruction. Board members said the district should pursue immediate accommodations and simultaneously begin thorough community engagement and feasibility work before pursuing construction or consolidation plans.

Several board members urged that community engagement start this fall to replace a rushed spring effort that produced low turnout. “We need to start now to develop a plan for how we’re going to have a community discussion that reflects the will of the community,” said board member John Traber (transcript reference). Another board member asked that facilities staff present a comprehensive facilities master plan that evaluates renovation versus new construction and the economic feasibility of alternatives.

Discussion vs. decisions: The meeting recorded planning and referrals; no formal vote to relocate BMA was taken. Facilities staff were asked to continue exploring accommodations, report back on the University of Bridgeport option and provide a timeline and outreach plan for community engagement about the East End/Harding site and broader master-plan options.