BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Interim Superintendent Dr. Avery told the Bridgeport Board of Education at a July 28 special meeting that eight months of work have yielded a balanced budget for fiscal 2026, new state funding and an approved plan for a district special-education center funded by the state.

Dr. Avery opened the presentation by reviewing organizational changes, community engagement and a “theory of action” guiding district work since his appointment in November. He said the district moved from a projected multi‑million‑dollar deficit into a balanced fiscal 2026 outlook after cost reductions and reallocations, and that a state forensic audit found “no evidence of fraud.”

The superintendent described several significant new funding items. He said the district has secured about $19,400,000 in new state funding for fiscal 2026, including roughly $2,600,000 in excess-cost special-education reimbursement, a $5,800,000 seed grant to expand special-education programs and about $11,800,000 in additional ECS and Alliance grant funds. He also announced a $75,000,000 state capital award to develop a district special-education center intended to serve about 260 students and, he said, reduce out-of-district placements over time.

Why it matters: The combination of operating relief, targeted special-education investments and a planned new facility could change where and how Bridgeport serves students with significant needs, reduce transportation and placement costs, and shift the district’s instructional and facilities strategy.

Key details from the presentation

- Budget and audit: Dr. Avery said fiscal-year 2025 projections once showed a multi‑million‑dollar deficit; after personnel adjustments and program reviews the district reached a balanced budget for fiscal 2026. He told the board the state’s forensic audit did not produce evidence of fraud and listed 34 procedural recommendations the district will implement. “There was no evidence of fraud presented in that audit,” Dr. Avery said.

- New and one-time state funding: The superintendent described $19.4 million in recurring and seed funding for FY2026 (detailed above) and separately identified a $75 million state capital award to establish the district’s first centralized special-education center.

- District special-education center and program changes: Dr. Avery said the planned center is intended to allow the district to serve more students in-district rather than placing them out of district. He described an ongoing special-education transformation that includes a January task force, a March advisory council, procedural manuals and plans to organize services in four geographic quadrants so families receive comparable services closer to home.

- Multilingual learners and curriculum work: The superintendent noted nearly 6,000 multilingual learners in the district and said the district will pilot a K–5 biliteracy program at a district elementary school next year with the intent to expand to grades 6–8 the following year. He said teachers and union representatives have been engaged in curriculum development and that the district will use PowerSchool to integrate assessment, multi-tiered supports and cohort tracking.

Board discussion and priorities for reinstating cuts

After the presentation the board spent extended time compiling a prioritized list of items the board would like to reinstate if the state provides a one-time allocation. Board members said the state has established a one-time set-aside (described at the meeting as a $5,000,000 allocation available to the commissioner for distribution) and asked the superintendent to submit board priorities to the state technical assistance team and commissioner for consideration.

Common priorities board members raised included:
- Kindergarten paraprofessionals (paras), with some members specifying preference for district employees rather than contracted services;
- Library/media specialists (librarians) at minimum for high schools and where feasible in lower grades;
- Elementary transportation (to avoid increases in absenteeism and safety risks during colder months);
- Mental-health staff (social workers, counselors) and post-pandemic psychosocial supports;
- Arts and enrichment programs; and
- Assistant principals and other school-based staffing the principals had identified as critical.

Board members discussed sustainability and tiers of funding — several noted the state allocation is one-time money and urged the board to prioritize items that would produce the greatest long-term benefit or that could be scaled incrementally depending on the final amount awarded. The chair asked members to list five top items; she said she will compile a consolidated recommendation to provide to the superintendent for submission to the state team.

Formal actions at the meeting

- The board voted to take advantage of early registration for the Connecticut Association of Boards/Cap (conference) and to register interested board members by the early deadline. The motion to register passed (motion made by Board member Joseph Kolobit, second by Board member Albert Bennington; vote recorded in favor by voice).

- A separate motion to have the district pay hotel costs for board members attending the conference failed on a roll-call vote. The chair directed staff to offer individual board members options and to coordinate registrations; district staff (Daniel) will contact members about attendance logistics.

Quotes

- Interim Superintendent Dr. Avery: “There was no evidence of fraud presented in that audit.”
- Dr. Avery on facilities and special education: “We have a $75,000,000 state funding opportunity for this district… It’s going to be the first of a kind in Connecticut.”

Community and implementation notes

Dr. Avery said the district completed more than 15 community forums over the past nine months, met with parents, housing authorities and advocates about immigration and language-access concerns, and led a high-profile advocacy effort in Hartford during the legislative session that included student testimony. He described work with community partners and foundations and said the district is launching a centralized, multilingual registration center to make enrollment easier for families.

Next steps and follow-up

The board chair said the evaluation of the superintendent will be completed in executive session next week and that she will compile the board’s ranked list of priorities for the commissioner. The chair and superintendent also said they will seek a briefing from the state on the forensic audit findings before the board issues formal comments.

Ending

Board members left the meeting with shared but not identical views on which services to restore first; the chair will forward a consolidated priorities list to the superintendent, who will work with the state technical assistance team and the commissioner on allocation recommendations.