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Board adopts multiple bylaw changes, forms lottery ad hoc committee and approves teacher leave
Summary
At a March meeting the Bridgeport Board of Education approved an immediate package of bylaw amendments, voted to create an ad hoc committee to review the student lottery process and approved an unpaid leave request under the BEA contract for a pilgrimage. A proposed rule requiring remote members to show video failed.
The Bridgeport Board of Education voted at a March meeting to adopt a package of amended bylaws, create an ad hoc committee to review the student lottery process and approve an employee's unpaid leave request under the Bridgeport Education Association contract.
The board first approved meeting minutes and then approved a March 11 request for an unpaid leave for an employee seeking a pilgrimage from May 4 through June 5. Dr. Ciano said the leave would be unpaid under the BEA agreement and that an employee seeking to continue district health coverage would be required to pay 100% of benefits. A motion to approve the leave under Article 6.12 of the BEA agreement was moved and adopted.
The board also moved to form an ad hoc committee to examine the school lottery process; the motion passed and members were asked to email the chair if they wished to serve.
Most of the meeting’s formal action focused on bylaws. The board first voted to suspend a provision so it could immediately implement a set of amended bylaws covering notice requirements, electronic participation, public and executive sessions, agenda construction, advanced delivery of materials, public participation, meeting conduct, quorum and voting procedures, the consent agenda, parliamentary procedure and electronic communications.
A high-profile amendment proposed by board member Esmeralda Jimenez would have required that "board members shall turn on their cameras if attending virtually." Jimenez said requiring cameras would increase transparency and engagement. Several members opposed adding a hard "must" requirement, arguing it could conflict with state law that allows electronic participation by phone and could unintentionally exclude members using devices without cameras or members in extraordinary personal circumstances. After roll-call voting, the camera-requirement amendment failed.
The board did approve a change to the public-participation bylaw to allow comments and questions at regular and special meetings to address "any topic related to the board's conduct of the schools," striking earlier language that limited comments at special meetings to the meeting’s call. Other technical edits — including changes to gendered pronouns to ensure gender-neutral language — were adopted as presented.
Votes at a glance - Approval of 03/09/2026 minutes: motion carried (voice/roll-call as recorded). - Approved unpaid leave for a teacher under BEA Article 6.12 (dates: 05/04/2026–06/05/2026). - Created ad hoc committee to review the lottery process: approved. - Motion to require cameras for virtual board members: failed on roll call. - Amendment to public participation bylaws to broaden allowed comments: passed.
The chair closed the business portion of the meeting and the board adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
What's next: the ad hoc lottery committee will be organized by the chair and the district will implement the approved bylaw package; the board did not set a public deadline for additional review on the camera question and members suggested seeking legal review before pursuing further restrictions.
