Bridgeport finance committee reviews $30 million in possible FY26 cuts, permanent and one-time options

The Bridgeport School District finance committee met at City Hall on Thursday, April 10, 2025, to review a slate of options intended to close about a $30 million budget shortfall in the district's proposed fiscal 2026 plan. District staff presented a mix of permanent reductions and one‑time revenue or savings options; the committee asked for more specificity and moved the package to the full board for further consideration.

District staff and committee members said the list is intended to be a menu of options rather than final decisions. Presentations by district staff framed the work as a response to a legally required balanced budget and used both recurring and nonrecurring proposals to meet the target. The plan includes city and state revenue prospects, reductions in positions and programs, transportation changes, and tighter controls on outside spending.

The district highlighted several high‑value items the administration estimated would contribute to the $30 million goal. Those figures were presented by district staff as estimates for planning purposes only:

- City contribution: a $3,000,000 increase the mayor proposed for the district in FY26, described by staff as a permanent addition if the city council approves it. Staff said the council’s decision was expected in early May.

- One‑time staff concession: a 5‑day, district‑wide furlough/concession proposed as a one‑year measure estimated to save about $4,500,000 if every district employee agreed to it. Staff repeatedly described this as a one‑time, nonrecurring relief that would require a plan to restore pay in later years.

- Transportation/mileage changes: proposals to increase walking distance cutoffs for students so fewer bus runs would be required. Staff estimated raising elementary walking distance from 1.0 mile to 1.5 miles would save roughly $2.1 million annually; raising high‑school walking…