Bridgeport School District finance staff told the Nov. 19 committee that while the board and administration used a combination of operational cuts, one‑time Alliance dollars and internal service fund (ISF) balances to shore up the current year, those moves do not eliminate a multi‑year structural shortfall.

The presenter laid out numbers during the meeting showing a gross projected deficit for the year of roughly $23,000,000 before temporary city/state reimbursements and described a projected carryover that could place the opening deficit for the next budget year in the tens of millions. He warned many offsets used to balance the current year were explicitly nonrecurring and that a recurring solution would require new state or city revenue or further reductions.

Transportation triggered repeated questions. Board members asked for copies of any contract or memorandum showing city/state commitments for the transportation shortfall. One member said they filed a FOIA request for contract documents and urged staff to present the contract terms before the board commits further local funds. The presenter said he expected additional direction from the state and city within the week and that staff would circulate any contractual documents to legal counsel before sign‑off.

Committee members agreed on a two‑track approach: (1) continue negotiations with the city and state to secure clear, documented one‑time support where appropriate; and (2) prepare an advocacy campaign for the legislature to address the underlying ECS formula and to push for multi‑year or recurring funding to avoid repeating cuts. The superintendent said staff will provide talking points and meet regularly with legislative delegates to make the case for funding in the upcoming session.

The committee moved to adjourn at about 8:22 p.m.