Students, parents and alumni press board over sudden plan to house Bridgeport Military Academy at Fairchild Wheeler

Students, parents and alumni pressed the Bridgeport Board of Education on June 8 over the district's recent decision to house Bridgeport Military Academy (BMA) at Fairchild Wheeler, saying families and many staff were told only after the decision was effectively made.

"We were told we would have no choice and must accept the decision as is," student representative Kelsey DeFreeze told the board during public comment, saying administrators limited questions during a May 28 meeting with about 300 students and that teachers were not invited to the session. "Students left that meeting more confused and upset than when Dr. Avery first arrived."

DeFreeze and other speakers urged the board to provide clear, public answers about staffing, classroom capacity, emergency procedures and how the move would affect Fairchild Wheeler's existing programs and recruitment.

"Why did you not meet with Fairchild Wheeler before the decision was made? Why not discuss with the staff?" James Stanton asked as he read a handout of student questions. The packet included queries about portable classrooms, bell schedules, custodial and cafeteria staffing, and how students would be moved safely between buildings.

Emma Alamo, speaking on behalf of BMA families, said the military academy had been supported by an $11.2 million federal grant that funded the program's earlier placement and that BMA students have been displaced repeatedly in prior years. "These kids have been displaced from the very beginning and it is not okay," she said.

Several commenters also raised safety and personnel concerns. Angelica Mercer, a parent and district employee, alleged a staff member was under investigation for "serious allegations involving a student" and said parents at her school were not informed; she said she had experienced harassment after reporting. The board did not provide a case-specific response during public comment.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Avery and district leadership responded that the decision to place BMA at Fairchild Wheeler followed recent legislative approval that allows temporary intradistrict arrangements. Dr. Reardon (Superintendent) told board members the relevant legislation authorizes a two-year placement with the option to petition the state commissioner for an extension. He said district staff, principals and the four affected schools were working through logistics'including building about "9 to 10" new classrooms, a possible limited number of portables, transportation and staffing'and that no employees would lose jobs as a result of the move.

"Everything will be done for this school year before school starts," Dr. Reardon said, adding that administrators had begun consultations with principals and would continue to meet with BMA staff, Fairchild Wheeler teachers and parents.

Board members acknowledged that communication had been insufficient and urged immediate, in-person outreach. One board member requested two or three community forums at Fairchild Wheeler that would include the superintendent, BMA and Fairchild Wheeler parents and students to address concerns before the fall.

The board did not take a formal vote on the BMA placement at the meeting. Instead, several members and administrators said they would schedule a series of community forums and publish frequently asked questions, and work to finalize logistics over the summer.

What happens next: Board members asked administration to hold community forums, complete logistics and post a public FAQ. The district said it will finalize classroom layouts, transportation plans and staffing before the start of the school year and will accept written questions from students and families for follow-up.