Bridgeport officials say recent state and city aid still leave schools millions short

Bridgeport's operations committee was told May 6 that about $31 million in proposed new revenue and roughly $8.4 million in planned internal savings still leave the district with a multi-million-dollar gap that must be closed before the June 30 budget deadline.

Nester, presenting the legislative update, said the state's "town run" amounts to approximately $25.4 million in new allocations: about $15 million described as supplemental education aid and roughly $10.3 million characterized as a one-time gaming/tribal-related payment. "So just for easy remembrance is 25.4 million," Nester said while walking the committee through the components of the package. He emphasized both parts were presented to the district as nonrecurring unless the legislature makes them permanent in a later budget.

The district also expects a $5 million city commitment and an estimated $529,000 in in-district excess-cost reimbursement. Combined with the state sums, staff said the available new revenue would total about $31 million. Nester and staff then outlined anticipated savings from operational changes: bus-route efficiencies, tighter oversight of out-of-district transportation, redesigning substitute teacher backfill (estimated $1.1 million), reduced professional learning ($500,000), review of special-education contracts (about $750,000) and other efficiencies that together were presented as about $8.4 million in potential savings.

"If we do that, take $39.3 million out of the $44 million superintendent-recommended gap, you're going to have a remaining shortfall of $4.7 million," Nester told the committee. He added that restoring previously cut principal allocations of about $8 million would increase the remaining shortfall to roughly $12.7 million.

Interim district leader Dr. Avery said the district is "moving very cautiously" and described ongoing work with two state technical assistance teams to tighten processes and policies. "We're being scrutinized day-to-day," Dr. Avery said, noting staff are creating manuals for finance, HR and purchasing so operations can continue smoothly after staff transitions.

Committee members pressed staff on the reliability of savings estimates and the status of two prior $5 million allocations the district was expecting. Dr. Avery said the district had submitted required documentation and met with the mayor's office but had not yet received firm confirmation from the deputy commissioner. "I have a request through the deputy commissioner for him to find out what we need to do next steps," Dr. Avery said.

Staff cautioned many items remain conditional: some legislative language is still being finalized; transportation savings are not yet fully calculated; and one-time allocations would need to be converted to recurring revenue to permanently close the district's fiscal gap. Nester also warned the $10.3 million gaming-related funds were presented as a nonrecurring source for fiscal 2028 unless legislators act to make them recurring.

The committee was told additional, more painful options exist if gaps remain: eliminating some kindergarten paraprofessionals (estimated savings $1.3 million), increasing walking distances for students ($1.7 million), or closing two schools (roughly $1.8 million) were all listed as possible tier-three measures.

Next steps: staff said they will refine savings estimates and wait for the city budget vote (reported to be scheduled for the 12th) and the formal close of the legislative session before returning with a full budget picture to the full board. The committee also discussed the possibility of meeting with the state's new municipal oversight body to understand any conditions attached to additional aid.