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Board hears uncertain state funding outlook and contingency options; consent agenda approved
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Ravey briefed the board on parent engagement, state assessments and internal cost-saving exercises while staff described a wide, unresolved range of potential state funds for Bridgeport; the board approved the consent agenda and referred staffing and contingency planning work to committees.
Superintendent Dr. Ravey opened his report by noting parent workshops launched this month and the district's start of state assessments: "SBAC and NGSS testing officially began today," he said, identifying grades 3–8 for ELA and math and grades 5, 8 and 11 for the NGSS science assessment.
Dr. Ravey also highlighted district efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and cited recognition for the Bridgeport Learning Center (BLC). "We are now at the lowest level in chronic absenteeism at BLC, dropping to 56 percent in March," he said, adding that the district expanded targeted supports using seed money the board authorized (figures for prior months were presented as district staff comparisons).
Board members then discussed the budget outlook. Lisa Hammersley (identified in the meeting as a state finance contact) told the board there are multiple funding scenarios at the state level and that precise amounts remain unsettled. Board staff summarized that the range under discussion for statewide allocations is broad and that the Bridgeport delegation is advocating for an additional pot of funds for hardest-hit cities; staff said the district's share under those scenarios is not yet fixed and remains uncertain.
Superintendent Ravey said district staff have developed contingency scenarios and are preparing detailed recommendations tied to different funding outcomes: "We have all that ready for you," he said, and added that internal reductions and technical-assistance reviews are already identifying up to roughly $5–6 million in moves the district can make internally to reduce the budget. He said if state funding falls below larger thresholds, the board will need to consider additional options and staff would present phased plans.
Board members asked for more granular contingency examples (for instance, what a $10 million shortfall would look like) and requested that staff provide the historical staffing/hires/resignations/retirements report to improve transparency. The chair and staff agreed to circulate final confirmed state numbers to the board when available.
On the consent agenda, Board member Treiber moved to approve; the motion was seconded (name recorded in the transcript) and the chair called the vote. Several members voted "aye" on the record and no opposition or abstentions were announced; the chair declared the consent agenda approved. The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
The board did not take a final vote on any budget cuts or contingency measures at this meeting. Staff said they will return to the board with recommended options once state funding figures are finalized.
