Bridgeport leaders warn deep cuts could hit classrooms, staff and services
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Avery and staff told the operations committee the district faces a multi‑million dollar shortfall and are preparing prioritized lists of cuts and efficiency measures; speakers warned closures and personnel reductions would likely be required if anticipated state and city funding does not materialize.
Superintendent Doctor Avery and district staff presented a detailed budget update to the Bridgeport School District operations committee, warning that the district faces a substantial shortfall and is developing prioritized options and cuts if state and local funding falls short.
The superintendent said district leaders are pulling together a menu of options and attaching dollar values to each item to show the board what would be required if the district needed to cut tens of millions of dollars. Staff described 34 audit/reform recommendations provided by state support teams and said they are implementing those recommendations while expanding use of the district’s Munis financial/HR system (reported as approximately 75% of functionality currently in use) to create stronger checks and balances.
Committee members and staff cited several specific trouble spots. Staff listed five high‑cost areas under review—special‑education transportation, 1‑to‑1 paraprofessional assignments, out‑of‑district placements, substitute staffing and teacher attendance—and estimated those represent roughly $40 million in expenditures the district must manage. One committee member cautioned that even if state legislation increased the foundation amount, the district could still face a residual gap; “the foundation increase would translate to about $18,000,000 for Bridgeport, which translates into a need for $26,000,000 more in cuts,” a participant said during the discussion.
Several members warned of the human cost of cuts. Mister Colliver said every cut will hurt and described a scenario in which libraries, assistant principals and other staff positions could be eliminated; he said such reductions would increase class sizes and risk losing experienced teachers. At one point a member described the situation as “doomsday” for the district if large cuts proceed without additional revenue.
Staff also discussed facility options and running costs. When asked for operating costs for an aging building, staff estimated winter utility bills around $40,000 per month and summer months roughly $22,000–$23,000 per month and said they would provide annualized figures. Staff estimated that closing three buildings could save in the neighborhood of $3,000,000 in operations excluding personnel costs, and that energy savings across all schools might be on the order of $8,000,000—while warning closures alone would not eliminate the need to address personnel costs.
Throughout the update, staff emphasized that state support teams are working with the district to identify efficiencies and structural fixes, but speakers repeatedly said the root problem is insufficient funding rather than solely internal mismanagement. Committee members requested more detailed options and timelines; staff said they will return in the coming weeks with a deeper briefing and a prioritized list for board consideration.