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Committee advances updated ED specification for new specialized special‑education school
Summary
Operations committee voted to refer the revised Education Specification for a proposed specialized special‑education school (planned for up to 251 students) to the full board. Staff said the state requested more detail on spaces and programming and that the school is designed to be therapeutic, scalable and to bring some out‑of‑district students back into district placements.
The operations committee voted to refer to the full Board of Education an updated Education Specification (ED spec) for a proposed specialized special‑education school. Administrators told the committee the state requested further detail on room types, programing and capacity before the application could advance.
Presenters described a facility designed for up to 251 students that blends in‑district candidates with some students currently in out‑of‑district placements; they said roughly 200–270 students are currently served out of district, and the new center aims to bring many of those services back into Bridgeport’s schools over time. A district official said the school will be therapeutic and flexible in design: "we'll build this in a way where we can add a wing" to expand capacity if demand grows.
Committee members asked about the state space waiver and kitchen/warming facilities; presenters said they are working with the state and will provide schematic designs once an architect is hired. Board members also drilled into square‑footage calculations (program vs. gross square footage) and how staffing and small‑group therapeutic spaces were sized to meet anticipated needs.
After discussion, the committee approved a motion to refer the updated ED spec to the full board for further consideration. Administrators said the next steps include schematic design and additional board briefings as the district prepares the state application and community outreach.
