Bridgeport leaders lay out plan to complete 34 audit recommendations and roll out Allaview reporting

A consulting team and Bridgeport Public Schools leaders presented a plan to complete 34 audit recommendations, assign cabinet owners and produce regular board updates. Dr. Avery, Bridgeport Public Schools superintendent, told the board the priorities are “strong systems” and accountability: “Having strong systems make successful success possible.”

Betty Russell, a consultant who led the finance discussion, said the district relied heavily on spreadsheets and lacked a report-writing tool. “Allaview will allow the finance function to have a linkage with the principals and the department heads so that they can see their budgets and actually work with them,” Russell said, describing the software’s ability to produce new reports and a traditional budget book the district has not had in recent years. The consultants said the Allaview implementation is planned for this budget cycle and will require updated procedures and staff training.

Presenters described other near-term steps: moving requisition entry into Munis to activate internal controls, adopting procurement-card workflows that require principal approval and receipts, and launching a secure portal where staff can access procedure manuals and the sustainability plan. Dr. Avery said each remaining group of items will have one cabinet-level owner, measurable milestones and evidence-based signoffs, and that monthly status updates will be provided to the board.

Next steps: staff will continue Allaview readiness testing with a target for training and a more complete reporting rollout in the coming months; the district and consultants will provide monthly status updates to the board.