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Board names Bridge to Success local governance partner for Early Start; district to be fiduciary pass-through
Summary
The Waterbury Board of Education approved a fiduciary form to designate Bridge to Success as the Local Governance Partner (LGP) under the state's Early Start changes, shifting administration of certain early-childhood resources.
The Waterbury Board of Education voted June 18 to approve the fiduciary form for the district's Early Start Local Governance Partner (LGP), formalizing Bridge to Success as the community partner that will oversee Early Start activities under new state rules.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Schwartz and district staff told the board that recent state legislation replaces the former "school readiness council" structure with a Local Governance Partner model under Early Start Connecticut. Maureen (district staff) and other speakers said Bridge to Success — an organization already active in Waterbury preschool and family outreach programs — will serve as the LGP and handle pass-through funding and coordination with community providers.
Why it matters: The change alters how early-childhood funding and program oversight are organized locally. Under the approved arrangement, the state contract will flow through the LGP, with Bridge to Success managing program relationships with community providers while the district serves as the fiduciary pass-through in the near term.
Discussion highlights: Staff clarified that the arrangement is organizational, not a reduction in local preschool programs: the district will continue to operate Early Start-funded classrooms and community partners (YMCA, Easterseals, New Opportunities and others) will still deliver services. Staff said the biggest change is that funding will follow a contract model with the LGP rather than the previous grant-based school-readiness council model; some position titles and administrative responsibilities will be revised to meet state requirements.
Board action: The motion to approve the fiduciary form naming Bridge to Success as the LGP was seconded and carried with a routine recorded vote. Commissioner Ireland and other board members noted community outreach sessions and encouraged families to attend Bridge to Success public conversations.
Ending: District staff said families and community providers will be kept informed as the new LGP structure takes effect.
