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Board authorizes Special Education Advisory Council; adopts Title IX revisions; grants settlement authority
Summary
The board approved creation of a parent‑led Special Education Advisory Council with technical support from the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center, adopted revised Title IX policy language, and granted settlement authority to the city attorney on several litigation matters.
The Bridgeport Board of Education voted on several governance and policy items during its March 10 meeting, including authorization for the superintendent to form a Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC), adoption of updated Title IX‑related harassment rules, and settlement authority for the city attorney to resolve several legal matters.
Special Education Advisory Council
The board unanimously authorized the superintendent to establish a Special Education Advisory Council in partnership with the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC). CPAC representatives told the board the council will be parent‑led and district‑supported, will follow open‑meeting requirements and Robert’s Rules, and will focus on systemic issues affecting students with disabilities rather than individual case appeals. Jennifer Lucier of CPAC described the organization as “the statewide parent training information center for the state of Connecticut,” and said CPAC will provide free technical assistance, training and parent‑leader development. The motion to authorize the superintendent to form the SEAC was moved and seconded; the board approved it in open session.
Title IX policy revision
The board also approved updated federal harassment and nondiscrimination policy language, reflecting changes to the district’s Title IX regulations. The board packet noted that 2024 federal rule changes were partly rolled back by a recent court decision, and administration recommended adopting more detailed PAVE‑sourced language that explicitly covers harassment and nondiscrimination. The board requested that the approved policy be stamped with a revision date and posted.
Settlement authority
Following an executive session, the board returned to open session and approved a motion granting settlement authority to the city attorney for several pending matters (referred to in public minutes as Weiss, Fenich and McMillan matters). City Associate Attorney John Matola asked the board to grant counsel authority to settle as discussed in executive session; the board took the requested action after returning from closed session.
Other votes and approvals
The board also approved a Nutrition Center bread contract and the Food and Nutrition Services budget for 2025–26, both of which the Facilities and Nutrition staff had recommended earlier in the meeting. The board approved minutes for several prior meetings and took routine committee referrals.
Why it matters
The SEAC establishes a formal, parent‑led advisory channel specifically for special education policy and system‑level concerns; CPAC will provide training intended to increase parents’ ability to participate effectively in district planning. The Title IX update aligns district policy with recent federal guidance and a recommended PAVE model; the settlement authority resolves outstanding legal matters and allows staff to finalize settlements discussed in closed session.
