001convening this meeting of the ad hoc uh sorry the advocacy ad hoc committee um which had been the ad hoc committee on advocacy the advocacy ad hoc committee on Thursday February 5th it is now 5:47 uh we are starting late uh because we were waiting for a few more people to arrive and because we had technical difficulties the meeting is being brought is being held on teams we have one member of the board here with us on teams um and it is will be broadcast later um because of those te technical difficulties. If the technical difficulties are um fixed uh it'll be broadcast from the point that those difficulties are repaired. Um so I'm calling the meeting to order at 5:48. I'm Rob Treyber, chair of this committee. uh with me on the board. Um
002well actually the first item of business is uh introductions. So I have introduced myself and I'm just going to go to the left. I would ask when you introduce yourself uh you explain that this is a different kind of committee. Uh we're trying something different. It is a hybrid committee where everybody participates not just board members. Um and we are here to advocate for uh increased resources i.e. more money for the school system with the city council with the legislature and frankly if we can think of other ways other places to look we'll look for it in other places too. Um but uh this committee is designed to have board members but not just board members participate but um other uh members of the school community uh that would be employees, parents and students um
003other members of the Bridgeport community uh join us and participate in uh how how we might do that. So, it's designed to be an open uh and interactive committee, which is why I keep saying to people, join us at the table. Join us at the table because we want everybody to participate. So, as we go around the room, if you could introduce yourself and explain who you are, why you're here, what your concerns are. So y'all start vice chair the board of education here because my son was a student here because my son was a student and the effect comes in job's not finished yet even though he is. >> Uh my name is Todd Sample. I live in uh um 133 right by St. Vincent's. Uh I'm uh um I lived in Bridgeport now
004for a year and I'm just here to advocate for our kids in Bridgeport school system. >> Kim Mclofflin. Um I've been um working to push for more resources for Bridgeport schools forever. My daughter went through the system. So I started when she was young. Um she's now in late 30s, so it's been a long time. Um and I never give up hope. the more people we get active and vocal, the better shot we have. And we know a lot of the legislators now after 30 some years. So we I think we have we have a good shot as we keep pushing and get more people at this table. >> Hi everyone. My name is Ang. I'm one of the board member from Brisb public school. That's my second term. Be almost 20 years in the
005district. My kids went to school, public school. And the reason I'm here is because we we need to work more for our kids, parents, and staff. As always, I say together we can make the difference. When we have communication and respect, we have regret successful. Nothing is perfect, only God. And I know we can do the best for our children. I know Bridge was not going to give up. I know our team is not going to give up because we want the best for our children. So, we want the best for our children. messed up periodically right now. Thank you. >> Lisa Valdano. I'm a bridge board teacher for 15 years and I'm also a resident here for over 10 years and I'm here for all the same reasons I think that has said. Uh
006Jeff Morsy. I've been teaching in the district since uh 1998 and I am the uh current AEA president uh representing the uh teachers of the district. Uh I'm here clearly to listen and also take uh from these meetings things back. So when we have uh some of our discussions, you know, uh within the union with with other unions, we can uh continue to advocate for what the kids and the teachers of this district deserve. >> I'm Becca Saxon and I am uh the CA union rep who works with uh the teachers union here in Bridgeport. I'm and here in part because you know Jeff told me to be there so I do what Jeff tells me but um more importantly from from the bigger picture I grew up in New Haven. I went to the
007New Haven public schools uh for elementary school and part of middle school now many many years ago and I am uh really disheartened to see how far we have uh backslid in this state in terms of educational inequality um from what was available um for students when I was a kid versus what is now available for students in the urbans and so um whatever I can do to make that change happen for the next generation. Uh I will do >> uh Gilbert Bettis 60-year president Bridgeport uh 20 years former employee of board of ed just I'm only here just Karafa uh chief information officer uh I've been here about 30 years um I mean the same thing over and over our our thing is funding uh making sure the schools have adequate support adequate leadership
008um making sure our children are getting the services that they need. Um there's a lot of surrounding towns and districts at this point who uh have triple what we have, sometimes quadrupled. Um I think it's unfair. I think that uh we have to put our foot down at some point. Um and we've got to really advocate uh for our children, for the needs of Bridgeport Public Schools. In some cases, it's not just a voice. Um, we have to go and show action. Um, we have to make sure that together as a unit, you know, I know Albert says this all the time, but it is true. Um, one person is not going to do it, you know, and in some cases it takes a village to be able to do the things that we need
009to do. I think with proper support um the community believing in one another understanding the goal which is the children the teachers the schools the administrative staff and everything that we need here those are the important things of why we're sitting here right now I wouldn't be here without children um none of us would be um the point that was made about New Haven and about what they had years ago I'm in agreement with that that what you look at Now, our kids are no different than what we were 50 years ago. At this point, they deserve the same things that they did then as they do now. We I know we have advocates on the board who have been fighting this fight for a long time. Um, and I'm in belief and and know
010from being in deficits for all kinds of years that the there's an inequity in the funding in the funding sources, in the way that we're getting money. Um, and we're here to try to do something about it and to make sure as a team collectively that we can have a discussion and make sure that they hear our voice if nothing else that we're sick of this and we need to make a change and the change is now, not five years from now. We need to make a change now. And we need to make our voice heard. And those are just the things that we need to do. I'm sick of taking away and then saying, "What else are we going to cut?" We have nothing to cut. There's nothing more to take out of schools.
011There's nothing more we can do when we're looking at our children and what they used to have and what they have now. I am embarrassed. It's a shame. We got to stop taking away and start advocating for more. Why are we taking away when we need to supplement and support things with more people? As simple as that. >> I'm Mar shoes. I cannot compete with PJ Kaf's last statement, but I'm here to advocate for our schools and our teachers and our principles and our children. >> I'm Neston Bore. I'm the chief financial officer. Um here for the overall wellness or welfare of Bridgeport children trying to apply the best ability that God has given me for the welfare of children. I'm singala, executive director of school leadership. I've been in the district for 30 32
012years um right before you Jeff and I I remember and so the reason I'm here is because Bridgeport was always home to me and to see what we had to where we have come to our students needs have grown our resource have diminished over the years and you know we ask our teachers our principles our staff to do more with less and why I mean What is it? What is the difference between here and the next town over? So why can't we get the same if you know and then but we are we're asked to we are compared with them right? So if you give us what they have we will prove to you what we can do. We have a great team. We have excellent teachers. We have administrators who want to work and
013who are here for the students but we don't have the funding. So, you know, we are all talking the same language, but we need somebody needs to listen to us and say, "Hey, we need the resources to support our families and our communities." And so, I'm here to advocate, support my superintendent and the board and whatever it takes to get the job done. >> Hi, my name is Michelle McKinley and I am the chief of special education and I see both worlds. I am highly disheartened. I go into special education classrooms and we're asking teachers do more with very very little. Our students with disabilities needed far more and they need better. If we're expecting them, we're expected to close the gaps. We have to give our teachers what they need in order to close
014those gaps. Our students need not just they need more than foundation. In some of our classroom, we don't even have the foundation and they need better and I am here to help advocate for you. Hi >> everybody. My name is Hannah Whitley. I'm the deputy grants director for the district. Um I have been here for two years and I actually came specifically for this job. Um so before that um I had a ironically got my PhD in rural sociology but the difference between rural and urban is not that much. Um so I grew up um or white rural community in Oregon and been writing grants since I was like 12 13 years old. And so that's what I'm here is to figure out how can I use the the talents that I have um to
015support the district in the best way I can um to advocate for for what he needed. >> Yeah. My name is uh Dr. Roy Savory, the entrance school superintendent at Bridgewater Public Schools. I I come with about 35 years of experience. Um this is not my first rodeo. I'm I'm really trying to be able to be a a leader to kind of help this district kind of rally the troops to kind of provide additional support for our children. Uh and I think this is the prime time for that. I think I think the community is ready to collaborate and get together. And so uh my job is to kind of help connect those dots and bring everybody together and uh get up to Harford and u uh make make Bridgeport proud. Um, Marissa. >> Good
016afternoon everyone. Marissa Stra Himenez. I am the board secretary, but most importantly, I'm the parent of two kids that go to Bridgeport Public School. And, um, I think everything that, you know, I stand for has been said. Um, advocacy is very much needed to make sure that our kids are getting their equity, their their equal parts of education and honestly enough is enough with really just choking us out with and not properly funding. Um, so yeah. >> And Willie, are you there now? >> Yes, I am. >> I don't I don't see your usual handsome self. Oh, there you are. Hi guys, Willie Medina, Principal Board of Education. I'm in my third year right now. Um, I thank everyone for showing up today and showing up uh with a plan and with a purpose. Um,
017my pastor showed us uh taught us always that if we fail to plan, we plan to fail. I think this group right now is is fine-tuning themselves and focus on what we need to do and how we need to do it. I just uh I would love to see everyone to continue to speak power to power and to know that we need to take our kids glove off. This is not the season to be uh roll, you know, rowing with little paddles. We need to get our big paddles out and start moving this needle because um enough is enough. I think we have plenty of people on the table right now uh and with uh Dr. to Avery and the rest of the team and those that have been born and bred here that I
018think we should start moving this needle now and I think uh our voices should be heard in a mighty mighty way. So I look forward to joining with all of you to speak in every single uh meeting that we can and also to uh to to go before them and to the different hearings and speak as individuals but also as part of this team. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Um thank you all. Uh, I sort of jumped the gun on item three. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, I can't I'm sorry. I can't see >> and Carlo. >> How you doing everyone? George Garcia, chief operating officer. >> Go ahead. >> I've been in and out of the district for 30 years. I'm a product of the Bridgeport school system. I've seen the ups
019and downs over these years both from the the internal perspective as a student and also as a staff member. Um the good times and the bad times. Um the unique moment that we're in now is that you know we have had an audit. We've got a facilities master plan which compon is consistent of a facilities condition assessment and a demographic study. Uh you know we have our recommendations from the state. We had the tech teams in. Bridgeport is positioned in a way that we haven't been. We're based on facts and data. We have all of the information in front of us for a change. And I think that now is the time. If there was ever a moment where we're positioned to be able to make the request that we need to to get these
020children what they need, it's now. So that's my part. My piece. >> Thank you. And John Carlo. Just Carlo, are you there? Only once jump off. Okay. Um, I I sort of jumped the gun on item three, the objective, but I did state earlier in starting calling the meeting to order that we should there. We have those up. Can we grab those and just run them around? Just grab them up. They're on the podium there. Just pass them down. Grab the whole stack and let's pass them down. The agendas Um, so the objective of this committee is what I said, which is how do we get more money for schools? You know, and um, I don't think there's anything magical about that item. I just want to put it out there for you all. Um,
021the more magical thing is, uh, sort of how do we make this committee work? And we're sort of going to follow Robert's rules. sort of hybrid committee and I don't have any I'm the chair but there's not and we have to try and limit the speech because we're going to let everybody speak but we can't have everybody speaking too much and I don't have any other guidance I've done some ad hoc committees in the past with community parts agent and what I found was best practice is you still recogn recognize you recognize the board members first. Board members will be able to do most of the debating, but the community members will give suggestions and talk and when the debate gets too much with the community members, they're restraining them a little bit and >>
022I sort of see that, but I'm hoping we don't get there. >> Yeah. Yeah. But but just just just for acknowledgements when um I I was done as well as as well. We've got to comm community participation in our various committees and the important thing to understand is well everybody's valued to run an efficient meeting. It's got to be there's got to be limited but as you said and there's got to be some sort of parameters. Again, let me be clear. I don't see this quite the same way. Um I I understand what you're saying. I'm not I I see up the >> I see Yeah. No, no. I I I appreciate that and I see I see how that would have been the case in the past with certain hybrids, but this is going
023to be a a sort of collaborative meeting and so we're going to have people join us who, you know, are going to want to participate in certain ways and we're just going to have to to me play by ear. So I I'm just throwing that out there for everybody to mow. We'll see how it goes is what I'm saying. I I appreciate your input and thought and I see what you're saying exactly, but I don't know that we're going to be voting on a lot versus sort of running a meeting. I've run a lot of meetings whether they're contract negotiations, union meetings, community meetings that we're going to just sort of collaboratively move forward and I don't know that we're going to be voting on one. uh that we're going to be more talking about
024how do we organize and work together to move forward on the common item that I heard everybody agree on which is how do we get more money for schools so I I don't know in other ones you you actually had purpose it was slightly different >> right >> I was just referring to speech time >> yeah yeah okay >> I'm speaking after the board met so >> I think that's No, you talked twice. Um, I I just want to say that need to attract an awful lot more organizations and people from the community and it's crucial, get a lot more people that there's a lot they get to speak and they get to bring their ideas and their expertise and they will have a lot more expertise in areas that we don't. for instance, they
025will have special relationships with particular legislators that some that we don't have. Um, and that's going to be very crucial. So, I think I honestly think we we there's nobody special here. We should bring other people in. And if somebody's dominating, I don't care whether they're elected, not elected, they're a state rep, senator, we need everybody, right? And so, you know, that's where I'm coming from. And if you know if there's a board member who talks too much, I'm gonna raise my hand and say, "Please don't talk so much." Could somebody who knows, you know, in such and such a district where we need that vote, who knows them or who knows who knows them because that's how you get the votes. That's how you go. >> Let me just correct you on one thing.
026Everybody's special here. >> Okay. You're not. No, he's my >> appreciate that. Um, >> so I I you heard the I mean that's just what Joe said, what I said. It's a it's going to be an ongoing sort of evolution and we'll move it from there because I don't know that we're going to have a lot of votes versus agreeing and we will discuss how we want to proceed. One of the things that we'll discuss later is how do we move this meeting forward and get more people involved, right? Um, so is everybody have any other thoughts on rules? I don't want to spend a lot of time on it tonight. Okay. Um, update on the budget. We had a meeting last night. I'll let Dr. start this discussion. >> Yeah, we had we had
027a meeting last night to uh to kind of, you know, redefine the three uh budget proposals that I presented last week. Uh we had it's a rich conversation around really looking at you know historical you know cuts and losses of the district and uh the board has uh given myself and the team an opportunity to kind of go back and and look at some of those cuts and bring forward to the board for Monday night to have a deeper conversation about the things that the board would like to see in this new the revised proposal uh for final adoption. And so, um, we, uh, we had the $44 million budget, the $47 million budget, and the $61 million budget. Uh, and so we're going to massage that a little bit and and really kind of
028give the board some some things that as we look and pull the curtain back of the things we lost over the last couple of years to kind of give them a taste of the things that that we might need for our district to be, you know, on the same playing field with other districts around us. And so, um, some of those types of things we talked about is is, uh, instructional coaches where in the past we used to have instructional coaches at all campuses in the district. Uh, and so we're looking at, you know, considering bringing those the cost of those back into this budget as well. um just a variety of other things that uh that we are going to be considering assistant principles, counselors, librarians, all those things are going to be back
029be brought back for consideration uh for the board to explore for Monday night. So, uh short, sweet to the point, but I think it was very meaningful. We had a really good conversation, couple hours long, uh but I think it was a lot of uh fluid conversation. uh about the need and the advocacy piece that we're going to kind of financing uh in the next couple of days. Any other board members want to comment about that? Uh Monday night's board meeting, we have to pass a budget. Budget has to go to the city. So, we will pass a budget that goes to the city Monday night. Um, we have been given a two-day extension and the budget will be given to the city by midnight on Monday. Um, and uh, number item six is timelines.
030So, I'll start I'll segue right there. This is a very smooth segue. So, I hope you'll appreciate a smooth segue when you see one. Um, the timelines, the city deadline for submitting our budget is Saturday. We've been given a two-day extension uh to Monday. Um, so we have until midnight Monday. We'll vote Monday night on a budget. Um, the discussion and debate, if you followed it, has been, you know, how much of a budget, how big a budget to submit? Um, and, uh, Dr. Avery has been giving us the sort of here's what we're going to need to break even and how much more do you want to add? And that's really been the discussion. It's been confusing to people and so I'm summarizing that. So on Monday, we're going to decide how much to
031add. And that's what we'll vote on Monday. And we'll vote on a budget and how much we're going to add to it. And that's really what a lot of the discussion was was last night. What do we add? Um and uh how much do our children deserve? Um and that's really what we're here to talk about is how much more do our children deserve? Because we all believe they deserve a lot more. Um, and when we say our children, we're talking about the staff that works so hard to give our children what they deserve, too, not just and so, um, that's something we all have a vested interest in as parents, grandparents, staff, all of us. Um, so, um, uh, the, um, and you have the city timeline, >> right? Um, oh, okay. We'll pass
032these around. Um this is the city timeline. Um which essentially uh we submit to the city to the city our budget. Um the mayor has to sub uh the mayor will uh You'll see in March and the mayor will give out his budget. Uh and then the council will hold their hearings. They first hold meetings with all the different departments. I know I Jeff, you've been there for years. I've been went to those for years and years down in the Wheeler room downstairs where you sit and you explain to the council committee why you need this budget and Dr. Avery presents and we all sit there and then in April and often times they would schedule it during break um and we'd have to get them to change it. There's a public hearing and the
033council issues its budget um and you try and get the council to put in a little more than the mayor offers and then ultimately there's a final budget. Um this is a bit of an odd year because there's a revaluation of property. Um and so that gets thrown into the formula >> and so but uh the council people who came to our first budget meeting right after the holidays uh spoke about the complexity of it. The mayor has been working with us last year and this year hopefully. Uh I thought Anthony Pleta would be here tonight. So I'm expecting that we'll be sitting down and talking to them. I know Dr. Avery has um we'll talk about that in just a second, but uh that's the general timeline and the budget has to be finalized
034in uh the beginning of May, I believe, is when they will finalize that budget. >> They send their budget to the mayor on J19. >> Yeah, Mr. There's there's a date um there's a data here that's not there yet that's going to be upcoming >> the committee hearing like the first budget hearing where Dr. Avery presents. I think it's important for them to make sure we >> catch that catch that date because >> half of us here we sat through we sat through the flock and people there that didn't even speak. They just held signs sent a very big message to the city council that this was important to everybody that this building defeated and this kind and the verse could be true as far as we need to if this >> and and again
035another smooth segue here. Uh, let me introduce council him Nicole Nelson who just walked into the room. Uh, Nicole, this is in the participatory meeting. So, you grab a chair and find yourself a seat right over there by PJ and squeeze you in. >> I'm between here and miscellaneous. So, >> Oh, they have a meeting downstairs. Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, I'll excuse you this time, but we want everybody around the table. Tables back fit everybody. I have to make sure that we don't have anybody sitting behind anybody. Um, but I appreciate you coming. Uh, so that's the general timeline of the city and it's going to really coincide with the state this year too because this is a short session of the state. The state started yesterday as everybody saw to
036much uh uh Did you have a question? >> Oh, okay. No, I just wanted to see. So what month do you think what month does that happen when um >> you have to present the budget? >> Yes. >> No for city the city we go. >> It's a question about the city. >> Oh no they have public hearing they have to schedule public hearing and departmental hearing department the budget and appropriation committee does that >> public maybe the March is when they have the the the meeting the meetings with the departments. >> April is when they have the public hearing. >> Right. the but the meeting that you think we need to flood people to because you're in the wheeler room like you were with the flock >> y it says it there between March
03724th through May 15th >> okay department >> yeah I just want to see it in red on the sh >> yes >> oh okay >> the exact meeting dates will be determined and if I can interject for a second is somebody from uh Dr. Avery's office affirmatively let them know when spring break is happening so they do not schedule anything on top of spring break here. >> Yeah. We make sure we we we give them our spring break. They done it once. They don't schedule during spring break. >> They've done that before so that they having people there. >> An easy one because um you concentrate concentrated those >> Yeah. Yes. >> They've done it once on purpose. Other times it's been accidental. >> Yeah. >> Serious. >> Can I read one other thing on
038the timeline which is um last year we took buses up to the capital which was you know it was somewhat effective because we did last minute but it could have been incredibly effective. So if we know it ahead of time >> you're ahead of me. >> We're on city still. you you brought us back to city. We were just getting to the >> I'm sorry. >> You're always ahead of me, dear. >> Um I want to also point out Mr. Woodson, Andre Woodson, board member Woodson has joined us. Thank you, Sam. Um so, um and we've also confirmed that the sherid and outage is what's bringing us why we can't broadcast. Um so let's go to the state and then you can go back, we'll come back to that. Uh the budget state budget uh
039uh state legislative session was began yesterday. Um and uh with much fanfare, a number of uh people in the room were up there yesterday. Um and we do know uh we found out a week ago that says here um you'll see in the next talk about in about two weeks there's going to be a education committee hearing. Um we do know uh well we'll get to all this in a minute but the legislative this is the short session so in 13 weeks they end >> so 13 weeks brings us to um February March April so they end actually before the city ends >> first week of May um they are done so this year they're both coinciding they'll both be ending the f first half of May. Um, and so this is a quick uh
040rush. This is not like last year the middle end of May of June. This is everything's got to be done by the middle of May. Um, and so um that's the timetable we're working on and we do want to do uh the turnout like you said uh and that'll be uh we'll have to get the hearing dates. The only hearing we would know about right now is the education committee hearing, but we will have to get the big hearing dates. Uh I go ahead let me can you go ahead and raise what you want to raise. Let me check. I had asked to have a chart sent to me. >> Well, I just know last year it was put together, you know, at the last minute. Nobody's fault. Um and it you know it was
041somewhat effective but um but we decided we had a meeting afterwards and and decided that if we we put it together a few of us formed a subcommittee and put it together now started doing that that it could be incredibly effective because we could work with some youth could prepare speeches and instead we just heard the yeah yeah from some couple senators and so they used it you know to juggle. So, um, if we can use it, I think it could be incredibly effective. So, I would just like to suggest that we put that together. And Nicole, I'd like to volunteer you and me and Shayla, who were the three that really started putting it together last year. Shayla is a parent, very active parent. And and then we'd be happy to have, you know,
042board members and anybody else be involved. But I know the three of us wanted to continue that and would like to do it with coordination with Dr. Avery and and Danielle, whoever makes sense. >> Well, who's we are we were actually um working on some things too. Last year we did it on Bridgeport Day at the capital and we're also looking at doing a Bridgeport Day with this short session as well. and potentially April 22nd or the 29th is the days that we're looking at right now. Uh that's the end most close to the end of the of the session time, whatever. But uh I'm working with the city to try to nail down a date. Uh and those are the two tenative dates that that she gave me that might work. So at least
043we will we'll know and we'll kind of back, you know, plan backward plan exactly what we need to do prior to that. I think it needs to be a little bit more advocacy prior to that one day. But still that one day >> control this. >> Yes. And we can kind of work through that. But John Carlo and Tam is taking a lead on that. Uh and there's some things that's going to come out from the district side on writing letters. We got draft letters ready to go out. We got a lot more things done that we're planning for now this year than than than what we did last year. So >> can we schedule a joint meeting with your staff that's working on it and the parent group? >> Absolutely. >> Can I call
044tomorrow? >> Absolutely. >> Great. Thanks. >> Absolutely. And John John Carlo and Tim are online right now, but they will Oh, great. They're listening to you. >> Hey guys, we'll call you >> conversation. Thanks. >> Thanks so much. And and you were both great last year. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate that. >> Yeah. So we we've also been, you know, brainstorming ways to uh get teachers, administrators, you know, people who work in our our public schools up for I mean I'll certainly speak whatever you want me to do, you know, because this is important. Um and we we've been having discussions too with Dr. Ary about that. Um so I just wanted to put that out there that great we're willing to mobilize. >> Yeah. And we're we're we're ready and able to kind
045of get buses and things we need as well to kind of kind of go along with that advocacy piece so that we can kind of cut down the the cost of it. >> Who's the she you were talking to? >> Who made Oh, constants. >> I think that date is too late. >> I mean, let's double check that. But I'm worried about that date. Um because if we're talking about the session ending a week later, I think the decisions are done. I mean I maybe maybe not but true >> that makes me nervous. So we need to check the 22nd is a little better. The 29th gets maybe a week before the session ends. >> Um I know there's a lot of wheeling and dealing that goes on >> but we'll get to this in
046a second when we talk about what's happening now. But I'll tell you where they're moving now and we're talking 3 months from now um or 13 weeks from now. >> 29th is too late. >> It strikes me. So we just need to double check that they follow us. >> No, we we do. >> Okay. >> The first Wednesday or >> we have our ways. >> It Jeff has his access um through the CEA and I you know I have the same access and through the CA and so you know we just have different things to show you on that. >> Yeah. Just actually just let me just point out Mr. Woodson you're welcome. Glad you joined us and notice you were here online, but you the rule is you got to sit at the table,
047bro. Okay. So, Nicole got an exemption because Nicole got an exemption because she's working downstairs in the committee meeting, too. But you come on. This move over. >> This is this is a participatory committee meeting. Slide up to the table with the chair. No, no, no, no, no. I I know you there to do, but You good? You just participate? >> We're making room for s. Let me introduce Andre Woods. We did introductions at the beginning as member of the board. >> Go ahead. I'm sorry. Yeah. notice. Um, yeah, to the point of the dates, I definitely agree because one of the things the governor said during his speech was if your bill is a work in progress in I forget which month he's in February, >> don't get mad if they kill it. Your
048bill got to be ready for prime time by February. So, we definitely got to make all our move all our moves as quickly and efficiently as possible. And to Mr. Moresy and his um membership and this um tax as well. I think it could add a lot of value because a lot of many of your staff are not Bridgewater residents. They've got other delegates that they can speak to. They can speak to reps delegates and whatever they they can speak to that >> as a resident of say Bethl whatever wherever they live. I see them suffering in Bridgeport firsthand and they truly need help. Would you please help us advocate for them in some way, shape or form? And I'll spread the links out to them. >> We have a collaborative meeting next week with
049some organizers. Not only that bring up deaths. >> Last year we went up with postcards from members that told a story of their what was going on in their classrooms and why they needed more money. Um, and the I mean the more it gets done the less power that will less powerful it'll be but it was a new tactic. So the delegates who got them were surprised to actually get handwritten testimony from somebody. So we could do something like that. We focused on Bridgeport last year. Um although we did get some that were written to other people that we delivered as well. Um so you know and we got a stack like that high. Uh we couldn't get that into every single delegate or every single elected because our members don't live in that you
050know not that many members in every single district but we could potentially get something into the hands of many people in the state >> and even if I testimony there as well. Yeah. Um the um I I was checking because uh Lou, who's one of the CEA lobbyists, was going to send me the governor's budget proposal, which I don't have yet. Um and um he and I talked this afternoon about our proposal and our needs here in Bridgeport. Um, but what's really exciting this year is pretty much everybody. Last year there was not a movement to increase. So I'm moving to the next item. There was not a movement to increase the education cost sharing. This year there is. This is a short session. They're not supposed to be talking budget this year. This is
051a short session where they do very limited. But it is on the lips of everybody. Lou said that to me this afternoon that everybody's talking about it. Um we have generated that kind of interest and and enthusiasm that everybody's talking about it and there are meetings Lou told me today uh tomorrow and Monday with CAFT the two teacher unions and KE and the Connecticut Association of School Superintendent. They're meeting to talk about it. Um, and there are there are proposals that are absolute garbage on this subject, but there, you know, we're pushing a higher load and so they're hearing us. So that's what he was calling me about was to understand what we're pushing. Uh Joe and I have a slight disagreement on it, but he wanted to understand because what we're pushing is higher
052than what other people are pushing, you know, and there's some real garbage out there that won't help us. But, you know, they are getting the message in other cities, New Haven, Hartford, uh, through Connecticut for all, which is the coalition of unions, um, and, uh, churches and community organizations that, uh, my daughter's union is running, 1199. Um, we were at Hbert, myself, Nicole, um, Willie, um, Marissa, um, Kayla, uh, Medina. uh a week ago Saturday, there was a a statewide meeting of uh municipal elected officials up in Hartford um to talk about it and education was on everybody's lips. Um the importance of of doing something about education and they all agreed that was just the issue they wanted to work on and so uh it's out there, Hartford, uh Bridgeport, New London, um they're
053all working on it. So, it's being pushed throughout the state. Uh, and it's being pushed any time. A year ago, uh, and I'm not saying anything out of school that the BEA people don't want me to say. Uh, the CA vice president said, "We're not pushing the education cost sharing formula because it doesn't directly go to our teachers." And I said, "So, if we add more parents in the kindergarten room, that's not spending money on the teachers, right? even though she wants it. Right. Okay. I was up there for CA lobby day, right? Well, that's nuts. So now I know that CA and AFT are both pushing the ECS. That's a huge change from last year. A huge change. So we just have all kinds of just a better picture in harsher in an off
054year. They all know now all on top of all that two weeks ago I talked to my daughter who's the political director of lobbyists for the hospital workers and she says look I think we got to get Suganna Gar Wilcox to write a bill to fix the ECS. I said okay. I spoke to Sugana about this. She goes, "But we don't need to. The Senate already has a bill to fix it. It's a priority bill." Oh, well, that's a huge load off of my cuz I'm thinking I got to persuade her to write a bill and it's already been written by the Senate and it's a priority bill of theirs and Marty Looney from New Haven and these others are all doing this and so it's not good enough because they want to do it,
055she said, in three steps. the first step being too low. But when you're fighting to make the steps better, that's a lot better than fighting to get a bill introduced. So again, all these things are pointing to a better environment. But as the governor said yesterday that you all heard, if your bill's not in there, you know, and you know, in a good place by February, you know, you you you know, you're in trouble. Well, that's what we're fighting on. So, in February, we're going to be testifying in February on the 17th about this bill and how it's not good enough and has to be better. So, we'll get a better idea of what this bill says and why we want it to be better and what what we need um over the next few
056days so that we can then get people to testify. Now, Nicole went back downstairs. Nicole spoke to me last week on Monday as we were driving back about testifying. Joe's done some things on his site about how do you testify? Uh people get nervous about testifying. Um I'm moving on. So let me stop there actually. Any questions about the legislative? What's going on up in Hartford? Any other comments about what's going on up in Harford? Yeah, >> I can just say one thing. um on any bill there are certain legislators that are much more important than others, right? Everybody's votes important, but in getting it out to get voted on, there's and Looney, who is the president of the Senate, for for this to be in his bill, which is what Senate Bill 7 is
057his bill, that's incredible. That's crucial. So, and it means that we have to flood Looney. In fact, maybe on the 17th, let's think about it. Go try to corner Looney as a group, whoever's testifying. Um, because none of us are from New Haven, which is his district, and and uh encourage him to know that we care about it. And we have friends in New Haven, and we're going to want to flood him with calls from his area. Um, I just want to let you know, I one time did this on a bill for um, housing and we flooded him because they were going to tax all these senior buildings. We flooded him to the point where he had his aid call me and say, "Okay, okay, stop the calls. We're going to you're going to
058get your money." So, I mean, they hear it and if we flood Looney, it will be very helpful. So, I just wanted to say that there's other people that will be very important in the House, but he's key. He's the key in the Senate. So, we're like, whoa, we just took a giant step, right? The first step up up is really huge. And we just were there on the first step. >> Um, Jen, would you introduce yourself? >> Sure. Sorry, I was >> I know you walked in. I apologize. >> This is the first break. >> Yeah. I'm uh Jen Kellerman, uh, BEA vice president and a sixth grade teacher at Madison School. Uh Willie. >> Yes. Thank you. Um what was the name? What's the number of that bill you said? I just want
059to make sure I trouble >> what I I was sent I what I was told Senate Bill 7 priority. It's a priority bill. >> Senate Bill 7. But I'll get the details uh as we you know from uh I'll try and have it Monday if I can uh since the major players are meeting tomorrow and Monday. I'm hoping that gets us better details. Um but also through the CA uh lobbyists, we should have everything down because the AFT and CA lobbyists will be there and they're both product of ours. >> Okay. Just want to know who had got the number now so I can get my people off. >> I want to rein reinforce what Kim said. Uh we we when we were up there Monday, Nicole and and Joe and I, we met with
060the president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers, Leslie Blateau. Um you know, who's a part of the coalition, the leader, the educ the K to2 education leader of the coalition, but we'll get the details on the bill. Anything else, Willie? >> No, that's what I wanted to ask. I just wanted to write it down. That way I can start. We should have a copy. >> And the education committee, just to be clear, um is chaired by uh Senator Looney, uh Senator McCrory, sorry, and Jen, uh Representative Leaper. Representative Leaper is from down this neck of the woods. Um and uh so we see her from time to time. Uh Senator McCory, if you've been following his Travis lately, is in some hot water um up in the Hartford area because the Blue Hill Civic
061Association closed down last year and is under investigation for millions of dollars in and money that's disappeared through uh some questionable activities. That's money he handed out. So, he's a former teacher from Hartford um and uh administrator and he does a lot of chef money and I've forwarded some articles to the folks down here from up there. But he's uh he's been asked by the governor to step down from his leadership roles he hasn't agreed to because he keeps claiming he hasn't done anything wrong and he is uh under uh a microscope. Um, so, uh, we'll see. Uh, the vice chair is Gary Winfield from New Haven, who is a gem. Um, so, uh, we'll see what happens there. >> Well, definitely. I know you gave reference to the meeting that we were at at
062in Hartford and I know uh those legislative leaders like you just said that they highlighted in that meeting was House Speaker Matt Ritter, Senator President uh Martin Looney, but also uh key committee chairs and the appropriation committee that we should hit and she's been a great advocate and spoke out Senator Kathy Olen uh also re uh Representative uh Tony Walker uh finance in uh revenue and bonding was Senator uh John Fon Farah and Representative Maria Horn. Um those are the highlighted ones that we got from them. But definitely I want to see if we can reach out especially to uh Senator Olston because she was very instrumental in you realizing when the state of Connecticut uh education said that we should do more with less and she goes we never had enough to do so
063we can't do more with less when we never had more enough to begin with. Um so uh >> Senator Austin has come down and met with the superintendent. She's come down and worked with Senator Gaggar Wilcox uh to talk about the uh education cost sharing formula and is a a definite friend of Bridgeport. Um so uh she is the chair of appropriations, the Senate chair of appropriations. So that's a very powerful friend to have. Um the the House Chair of Appropriations is Tony Walker from New Haven. Um but the Senate chairs is uh Senator Austin. Um so we that everything goes to appropriations later. Um when you want the money, but we got to get the bill out of education first. Um but I think we're in good shape on that. You know, we're in
064a good place, I should say. So, I I think that's all I have on uh um the legislative update. Anybody have any other questions or comments? Um okay, the education hearing on the 17th. Um we need to get a lot of people to testify. Um so, discussion and planning on that. The only other thing I would add that's not on the agenda is that uh uh Connecticut for all the group that we went to the workshop a week ago Saturday that we're a part of will do uh they're going to set up next week uh an online training session. Uh I'll get the details and we'll advise people of when but they will do an online training session. It won't be just for Bridgeport. It'll be for all, you know, everybody, but people can sign
065up for that on how to sign up for uh to testify, how to prepare your testimony. So, we will offer that and we'll offer that link to everybody that's interested um on how you testify, how you prepare testimony. Uh there is no I I'm going to simplify and and I think that my wife will correct me uh because she I oversimplify but testimony is essentially introducing yourself and thanking the chairs and members of the committee for letting you be there and saying what your position is then telling your story about why you take that position and then saying thank you. That's the simplest way I can describe it. and your story is the most important thing and people shouldn't make it anything more convoluted than that. Um but and it should be as she says
066one page >> because you have three minutes fast. Um so uh but that that we will set up a workshop on that Joe. >> Yeah. it can temporarily that we need to um get something out on parent square and throughout the district as well and if our if our union um comrades over here could get something out to their people as well as everything contemporary so we call it double make a back stop all the time >> everywhere we Anybody have any comments or questions on on testimony or the legislative hearing? Um the yeah the the position we're taking is the education cost sharing formula hasn't been increased in 13 years. Um the difference that Joe and I have and I'm not saying it to is whether it's 16 and a half or 17%. thousand
067sorry it's it's three and a half the average increase for the last 13 years has been three and a half a little over 3%. Um, so that would take up to 16.5,000 uh, which would get us about $9. Um, and uh, if it was 17%. That builds in a factor that the school and state finance project website builds in for race discrimination, uh, racial equity. Um, that would make it 17,000, not 16.5,000 per student. Um, that would give us 101 million. um which as you know would put us in a very nice position but either of them would put us in a nice position. Um and uh so what that's what we're asking for is that you you know they they're overdue to catch us up and and and yeah and either either one number
068is not horrible and they both work. Some people might be more comfortable pointing out the racial inequities like myself. I've always every single time pointed out the racial inequities and everything because that's my that's where my passion lies and my voice will sound the loudest when I speak to as you could hear come out right now. My voice is getting a little bit off of course and that's you got to speak to your passion if if your passion is 16,500 but more is always better in my opinion. But you can't go wrong speaking to either one as far as getting us back on track. But then we should really quibble about which narrative we're going to say. But either narrative should work to get us what we need. >> Yeah, I don't disagree, Mr. Medina.
069>> Thank you. Just for an FYI, what I see as this uh bill 7 in my research uh is is literally just stating that the subdivision 9 of section 1026 uh 262F of the general statute be amended red defined foundation by increasing the amount of foundation from 11,500 25 to 13,000 500. That is the increase for funding for public schools. That's what the bill states, which is the local number 576. U Mr. Medina, um that's an increase from what it was a week ago already. A week ago it was a thousand. So I I'm I'm not my >> ago it was a thousand. What do you mean it was a thousand? what I just said a week ago. >> Well, I just gave the number of 13 uh it was from 11,000. >> I I'm
070I'm trying to explain to you what I just said. You asked a question. A week ago when I talked to Senator Gar Wilcox, she explained to me that Senate Bill um 7th was a thousand in the first year, 2,000 in the second step, and 2000 in the third step. Now, there was some discussion about whether the steps were one year, two year, and three year or more spread out, but that was what I was told. And I said, well, that's absolutely unacceptable. It's got to be more in the first step and less, you know, if you're going to do it in steps, it's got to be more up front and less in the back years. Uh, it's got to be frontloaded, not backloaded. Um, but we'll have to fight about that. And so, obviously, it's
071changed in a week. Uh, because that's more than a thousand in the first year. Um, so I my point in this discussion is there's really no point in talking about we're not going to support the bill. We're testifying about the bill, but we're arguing that it needs to be solved upfront. Do you understand what I'm saying? >> So your numbers I I do understand what you're saying, but it it wasn't clear the way you said it. you said that it changed uh it to from the thousand and in what I read the numbers you know don't coincide with what you what you said. So that's why I wanted to give reference to what I read that it's going according to think what I read specifically it's 11,325 going up to 13500 even in your scenario
072that it was only going to be a thousand the first year again you just said that it apparently it increased I'm just reading exactly what's out there right now as of February 4th 2026 and in your numbers it's not reflecting that it was going to go up 5,000 to raise up to just 16,325 that that will reflect in the three-year gap. I understand what you're saying that we're hoping to get more right away. I appreciate you saying that, but I wanted to make very clear what I read and I'm not objection or trying to come at you, but I just wanted to make sure that you understood what I read right now. >> Willie, can you read those two numbers again? Sorry. >> Absolutely, dear. So again, $11,525 and then it says to $13,500. I
073can send it to I can send you a copy of the paper that I got right now. >> No, that's 1,975. >> Want to see what the number went up? which is which is $ 38 million, >> right? Well, >> um just to be clear to everybody in the room, that would now $1,000 is approximately $19 million. $2,000 is approximately $38 million. So, it's doubled in a week, um from what I was told. And it is a fluid situation. That's what you're arguing for. That's what you're lobbying for. That's what you're pushing for and that is the nature of legislation is you're in there testifying that it has to be more and that's what we're pushing for and that's what we're going to continue to push for. Um, you know what I tried to describe
074in the presentation is we went from having no bill to a bill. Now we have a bill that went from having uh 19 million to 38 million. And we want to keep pushing that. We still got to get the bill passed. Um, so that's the nature of the fight in the legislature is all of those elements and and none of that will happen if we don't do the work that Kim was discussing, that we've all been discussing, testifying, getting people out there, calling our legislators, all that stuff. Let me point out uh that we've been joined by board member Lamont Daniels, too. Welcome, Mr. Daniels. Uh, so uh, Miss Estraa Himenez. Yeah, my comment was I I wanted to comment on the differences between your number, Rob, and Joe's number. Um there's always going to
075be some level of negotiation. Um so my my train of thought is let's go for the higher number and see what happens. >> That's fine. Thank you. >> That's all. Okay. >> Yeah, it does. Uh just a little cl a little more clarity on the building bill that's up there. Um because they I think M you and Mina some were talking a little bit apples and oranges. You were talking about the escalation that we've heard about before. But the way the way I'm looking at this bill as written right now is sum total of $2,000 period end of sentence an escalated $2,000 for this year. But but everything >> it's not a multi-year bill. It's a one year. >> Correct. Yeah. So, but everything you said is still still uh correct that we need to
076improve the bill on this as well to get the >> again >> best case scenario we get the $5,000 s or what whatever number it comes up with year one and we end it in escalating cost every year to your bill so we don't have to keep doing this. >> Let me let me point out one other thing just for everybody's sake. It was pointed out to me by the CA lobbyist today that for the last couple of years there has been a move to eliminate the alliance money that could be somewhere else. So right so it's not you need to see the whole picture >> and so we just need to be aware of everything. This may be okay it's a short session we don't want to deal with a multi-year bill. We want
077to do a one-year bill. So, we just need to keep you you get in there and you keep you just keep fighting until the session's over for what you want. And what we want is a bill that gets us $5,000 per student. That's what we want and that's what we keep fighting for. And no takeaway on the alliance money. So that, you know, that's what we keep fighting for and we keep talking to our legislators and anyone else about. Um, so that's where we keep pushing right now. It's the first day of the session for crying out loud. >> They uh what do they say? The sausage is really ugly how it gets made. Well, they just started making the sausage. It's going to be an ugly 13 weeks. But you know to double your
078money without anything. I mean there really hasn't been any pressure except they know you know what happens is they're watching what happens out here, right? That's that's what's going on. And so the fact that the money went up in a day, they know there's talk all over the state because we don't have any calls in anywhere. Nobody's calling their state rep. Nobody's calling their senate. Everybody's yapping and they're coming back and saying, "Oh, in my town they're yapping about this. Everybody wants money." And I've never seen it where the money doubles before anybody starts doing any serious advocacy work. So, it means there's money to be had. You know the old expression, what does a shark do when there's blood in the water? >> You know what a shark does? He goes for it. That
079says to me there's blood in the water. So, we got to go for it. >> Um, and I would point out one other thing. Mr. Daniels reminds me of it. Um, I I do know that uh at Wednesday the mayor of Hartford hosted a breakfast of mayors. Mr. Daniels being the chief of staff for the mayor of Norwok. Um they all went up and met in Hartford and then went over together. Powerful statement from the mayors and the mayors are fighting for the ECF money. So you know a lot of things are are telling them this is an important issue. So >> could I could I just add one little fact which is the um on testifying on the 17th you can testify by Zoom. So for all of you who need to work that
080day, you can testify by Zoom and often your number will be in the evening. I hate to tell you. So it might be perfect. You can work all day and then testify your three minute at 10 >> 11 o'clock at night. Yeah. >> Any other comments on the general public hearing? >> We will sorry it's our fault because she made me think of something else. Yeah. As far as the testimony, I like to it start it starts at 3. I'd like to suggest that we bring a contingent up there 3:00 and pack the room and for at least for the first few speakers if like somebody gets a 3 4:00 slot from Bridgeport, everybody like rolls up in Bridgeport, we pack their room and then a certain time we all disperse for the people who
081got to testify at 2 or 3 in the morning. What Joe's talking about is that there are times depending on whose chair that we can sometimes get in people who are present to speak ahead of schedule especially if we bring kids up. So if we bring a if we have some students that want to testify the legislators uh once they get past letting themselves speak or administrative officials um they will let lots of kids students speak. Um, so we may be able to do that so they can go on. Um, Joe, item nine is yours. >> You wanted me to have it really? >> Oh, there it is. >> Yeah. B basically speaking to everybody writing opeds in their own their own town especially that out of people writing to their newspapers and just getting
082it more out there who's already advocating on social media speaking with the one if one voice maybe two numbers but one voice that we need to raise the ECS by X amount the foundation of the ECS by X amount our kids are suffering and tell you stories personally because it it hurts things that happened to our students as hurts. Teachers explain how don't have librarians in the building. Can you speak to how that affects your classroom and how it affects when you got to when somebody's got a cover and there's the loss of a prep period. I'm first the teacher might get stressed and whatever. Kindergarten kindergarten teachers and first grade teachers in Bridgeport don't have pair of professionals and that's a lot more stress on the teachers in the classroom where they got to
083stop instructing them. I'm just assuming because I'm not a teacher. When a student has a meltdown and cries because they're away from mommy and daddy for the first time, there's nobody, not another adult in that room for that teacher to address that. And while that teacher is renting that, they aren't instructing that student. And that student for the rest of their career, that whole class, that whole cohort of students are behind on their lack loss of instruction in the first grade. And then first grade teachers got to pick that up and it kind of sets them up. So the opeds testimony we covered a lot here testimony um the general strategy we we've been talking about it all basically it all comes together so I just wanted to do a cat catch all so we
084could talk about everything um one thing we really didn't discuss is collaboration and messaging with the districts around us um >> I don't want to I don't want us focusing on so much as the differences in what the alliance grants are getting between the districts because our fight is not with the other districts. Our fight is outside those districts and a lot of those numbers are different because of poverty factors and the weights inside the formula but fixing this foundation amounts. Everybody is on everybody in these districts are on the same page raising this foundation amount and waterberry New Haven New Britain. I mean, we're talking about tens of millions of dollars raising rising tide, rising float, all >> lifting all boats. >> Thanks all votes. And and that's we got we got to be
085mindful that we don't allow the state to p us against modern as districts or urban, suburban, rural districts. I always forget because rural, but I always forget about them. But they all will rise up with a rising foundation amount except for the possibility that few are wealthy districts who have been overunded. But that's not what the formula was designed for. The formula was designed to take a property taxes and also we definitely got to press our city council. We discussed that as well. let them know whatever the state doesn't get give us, we got to go after the city for and it'll behoove every single city council to come in and testify for their children their city because that's that's their job as well. It shouldn't be all on the board of education because that's
086what we need to do. We need to h have them come out and testify that Mr. Everybody testified. Couple of people testified to this and was glad to hear that and they pretty much stayed our message. So if you began them to all testify, everybody grab a couple and I'm I'm sure I'm sure they'll be willing to be and not only us the other districts that we well there was talk I don't know if it got any legs. There was talk about a legislative day for urban districts. It was slightly mentioned. I don't know if it's got a name or a wall. >> I'm working with the urban school district superintendent and we are actually getting ready to mobilize it. We're meeting in the next week or so to figure out exactly what we we
087did. We've already written a letter, you know, with all our signatures on it to legislators as well. Um but um we have a meeting coming up soon to talk about what we're going to do up next year. >> February 10th I think. >> Yeah. >> And Dr. Avery, just when you know that date, let Jeff and I know that because um it will pro the way the union distribution works in this state. Uh aft will probably be there. Okay. But we would not immediately be there because most of the urban districts uh that would be in that coalition with your got it aft locals >> and and and a final and a final piece Mr. Abrams um the joint fourth opex or letter to the editor just from the board's perspective. Any other thoughts on
088other things we should do? Anybody else? Looks like we got a new person. Sam Sam is the Sam is the man makes everything happen. >> Um I just have some questions. Is now a good time? >> Anytime you want. All right. Um one I just want to recognize it's 7 o'clock. We've been meeting for an hour and a half. So respectful everybody's time. Uh try to move quickly. Um I just uh maybe to take I guess maybe some points of clarification. Um how are we all communicating with each other? Well, we're going to start building that. That's what we're getting to at the end here. >> Okay. So, we're going to discuss that sign >> because uh to to your point too with the uh the union leader on the phone there, um uh it
089we should we should be able to socialize everything so that we're all in touch with everything and all together, right? We're only strong we're stronger together than we are separate, right? So, we got to keep each other all informed and everything. Um and uh and then for your communication strategies, uh sounds like you have some great ideas. Uh I'm happy to bottom line some of that. Um I was wondering too, are we going to be at a point in this meeting where we start assigning uh actions to certain people to take on certain responsibilities that we so we can hold some accountability to each other in this group for these actions that we're both deciding on? >> Well, we're going to be testifying is when the main activity right now is two weeks about two
090weeks from now we're testifying. >> Right. That's on February 17th. >> That's going to be February 17th. That's what we got in Tuesday. And uh when when is the uh when's the training that um that has date has been set? >> That's that's CT for that's CT for all. >> Yeah. And they can have the training. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um >> and I will send that out which is what the signin sheet is about, right? >> Or I can send that out to everybody. >> All right. And so then um I don't want to take over this meeting. Are these questions okay with everybody? >> All right. Great. Um, and uh, one thing I Yeah, one thing I'd like to introduce maybe is we can do what's called progressive stack. Has anybody heard of
091what progressive stack is? So, it's a way of winding up queue in conversation and so that we we prioritize those voices who are not heard as often. Um, that no offense, but this community is obviously dominated by a certain certain minority of people. And I do recommend that we try to try to work in so that we hear voices. Uh there are there are voices that have not been heard at all today. Um trying to make sure everybody's voice is heard equally. Um also especially if we're going to bring in other members of the community, we want to elevate their voices as well and make sure they feel that they're equally heard as anybody else. Um all right. So as far as strategies that Joe mentioned, uh I'm happy to work with you on that
092and try to get some uh messaging out. Is it appropriate that we have some like templated messaging that we're sharing around? Is that is everybody okay with that? That's >> Yeah, my staff has already had that prepared to to give out. So those two guys, the communication guys online are we've already done a lot of back behind the scenes things to kind of get ready for this. So what you're going to do with and they're going to be at next meetings moving forward too. So uh they're online today, but they're going to be in in the rest of the meetings. But they will be instrumental in getting things done. they have connections with a lot of the legislative, you know, offices, the um the city offices. We're going to get, you know, email addresses, phone
093numbers so that it be it's easy for people to make that contact with. Yes. So, we're going to do all of that for uh the community as well. >> Okay. Wonderful. And then um I just had a couple more questions. So, uh, right now, uh, I guess it sounds like we we've discussed it, but I just would like to hear it succinctly maybe from the chair. What is it exactly that we are fighting for right now? We are fighting for uh an increase that gets um the number to 17,000 per kid. Is that is that what we're fighting for? Is that our target? >> We're we're fighting to see the ECS fully funded. >> Okay. And the only the only quibble you heard on that was whether that means 16 12 or 17,000. Got it.
094Got it. And that's the only quibble you heard on that. Wonderful. So if you simply did it on cost of living, it would be 16 12. There is a factor you can build in using a tool. I'll leave it at the using the tool cuz it just gets too technical. Um that adds 500 more that would make it 17. >> Yeah. Because the reason I'm asking is because I want to be able to advocate in my community. And the more simple and precise the message is, the easier it's going to be. >> The simplest method is to say if you did it by the cost of living, it would be 16 and a half. If you add there's another factor that would factor in racial inequity, it would add it to 17. >> Got it?
095>> The simplest way to tell. >> Wonderful. And what's it add now? It >> said 11 and a half. Okay. So since 2013, so it's a 13-year increase. Yeah, that's still confusing me. >> Well, it hasn't been increased in 13 years. >> Thank you. That's what I mean. All right. So, so so it's it's called ECS. >> The education cost for >> the ECS has not has not been updated. Has not been increased in 13 years. And so we're looking for them to catch it up now and move it from >> $11,500 per student. 525 was actually >> 11% 11% 16,500 >> just that the cost of living is 16. >> Okay. So we he asked that question. >> You can add in the $500 factor which the school and state finance project has in
096it. So one or the other. The cost of living is 165. Got it. >> That's and then the $500 factor the school and state state finance is including is another 500. So beat up to catch a name up to the cost of living 65 then $500 $5,000 a student. So that's >> okay. Okay. >> All right. I I >> Okay. So I want >> No, not I just want to add an extra point. The cost of living is not necessary and the cost of delivering an education. Cost of delivering an education is far exceeding the cost of a correct and that's in the post that I put on on today. So what what Todd you're raising is what the last two points on the agenda about. Who else is missing that we need to get
097on this involved in this and what do we want when do we want to get them? What do we want to do at the next meeting? Because that's really this meeting was called together. We had hoped to do this two weeks ago and be moving on this a couple of weeks ago and the question is who else do we want to get involved? I there are people who I thought would be here tonight um because it was called too much in night and so notice didn't go out at the right time but who else do we want to directly invite come to the next meeting to help them get us involved and how do we want to run that and who wants to reach out to them that's really the next task with the knowledge
098that we are primarily focusing now on a committee meeting that's going to happen in Hartford that we want to get as many meetings as we get involved. And I'll I'll point out we have the union, we have administration, we have board, we don't have parents, we don't have students, we don't have principles >> other than you. Um and >> yeah, >> administrators, >> two community. >> Yes. >> one of the things we're going to do as well is um we have a list of community partners. Uh I think it's about 80 of them. uh and we're going to kind of target that group to to get them involved in um uh the advocacy piece. They've already said that they're willing and able to do it, but just for we got it out there and let
099them know every meeting, every event uh you know that we have, we're going to make sure that they are aware. So I think we should be able to get more uh participation uh for sure moving forward as well. >> I can take the road. I would meet with him on something else >> and I can I have about 10 parent leaders I can call in here. >> Hold on one sec. Marissa, >> you're going to have location if you start getting >> I I was waiting to see what tonight was and I was I was praying that the the organizer's dream is that the room's too small >> and I was disappointed the room wasn't too small tonight. Um Jeff and then Marissa. >> Um I I got a split foot. I can connect with
100uh Steve Douglas tomorrow because we had a conversation and he wanted to you know have me just you know fill them in. >> Yeah. I was going to call him tomorrow too. >> Yeah. And then I can I found out about this. I talked to the eboard. you know, we obviously have some people already um but we can increase that and I'll um you know, if Steve's not able to make it, one of some of the other people will be >> I sent a direct invite to him and asked him to make sure somebody from EAS was here. So, >> did I get an invite? >> Well, no, but I sent you a copy of the Yes. Yes. I called you two days ago and he didn't call me back. >> I know. I had
101an emergency. >> Yeah, I know. I know. I heard you. But that was what that was about and he got the same thing. So, he he knew it. Um, so anyway, I said, "Please make sure somebody from BCAST is here." >> Um, but uh, you know, but it was still short notice regardless because we only set it up Monday and then scheduled it as quickly as we could. So, it's just short notice and we want to move. So, I want to schedule another meeting and I want to figure out who else we want to invite. So, who else do we want to invite? Kim said make the road. You have your list, but I'm disappointed we didn't reach out to them for tonight. Um because that list is important. Um Todd, anyone else you have
102in mind? Go ahead. >> Can you invite the city president? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Marissa. >> Yeah, Marissa was next. >> Marissa. >> Oh, so a few things. First, I wanted to know if we can get the pack and PTSOs involved. Um, and just have like the presidents and attend this meeting. Um, cuz I think if we can do that, we can get that parent involvement that we're missing right now. Um, and then the other thing, and I kind of I'm fighting with myself and saying this, but does it make sense to meet weekly until the 17th so that we can get all our ducks in a row for testimony? Um, I know that might be overburdensome and I'm kind of hating I said that right now. Um, because that's a lot on a
103lot of people's plates. But does it make sense for for us to do that until the 17th so that we can get testimonies and flyers ready? Also worth considering, one last thought is that if testimonies this on the 17th and we want parent involvement, we need to have flyers out on parent square or whatever like next week cuz we're also going to be competing with um winter break and so parents might not be paying attention as much. Um, so just I know that was a lot I threw at you guys, but some stuff for consideration. >> Next week is a short week. We have president day that we're off Thursday, Friday, and Monday of next week and Monday of the following week. So, um, and we have a board meeting on Monday. >> So, We
104have a hold on button. We have a finance committee meeting on Wednesday. >> policy. >> Oh, policy. >> Yeah. I thought he said it was the third Wednesday. Third >> second. >> The third meeting, but that's all right. I thought >> I thought it was the second, too. Um, okay. So, hold on. Mer, I'm going to respond to you in a second. Albert was >> say you invite the city council president in China. Harold. >> Well, I I thought the city council was going to be here and Anthony said he was going to be here. So, that's a part of the I'm wondering. So, I need to It was short notice. It's we need to get better at that. So, that's part of what I think you're legitimately raising. Um so that was you just
105to the point to the loaded schedule the schedule is mostly loaded for staff in a superintendent necessarily run an ad hoc committee. We don't need the pres we don't we don't absolutely need everybody's presence here. We could conduct a meeting and then give a summary to Dr. Avery and the staff of what the committee has decided they'll do. We just need uh >> Okay, next. I got it. I agree with you. >> Run with >> Could I >> wrinkle? Um I didn't realize how soon the 17th is >> away from Tuesday. >> Yeah, it they want the testimony the day before because they make copies for every legislator on the committee. So, they're gonna want the testimony emailed to them on the 16th, which is that Monday, >> which is a holiday. >> Yeah. >>
106I don't know how they're even going to get it in on a holiday. >> So, we're going to have to talk to Katie about how they even submit testimony to on a state holiday. >> They email it in. They're >> I understand, but how are they gonna be reviewing it? >> It's not a problem. They're all working. Um >> anyway, >> we need to check and see if that's really going to how they're going to if they're going to. So anyway, we'll find out. >> Yeah, >> that's a complexity. And Marissa, I was going to say meet again next Thursday except when Dr. said it's a holiday. >> Yeah, >> it it's going to be it's going to complicate matters because people are going to take advantage of the holiday. So, and I would say
107Wednesday, but because I'd heard you say third Wednesday, I thought you had changed it. So, Wednesday doesn't work for us. Um, and we are going to get this training by uh Katie. So, I think we have to hold up and see what date we get out of Katie. But yes, I think we should. So, I'm open to Tuesday if Katie doesn't schedule on Tuesday, but we have to wait and see what Katie tells me about the Connecticut for All Training. >> Okay, that sounds good. And I >> that's really short notice, so we'll have to know on Monday. But if I find out tomorrow, I'll send it out to everybody as soon as I find out. I I just don't know how else to do it because that is short notice because the testimony I
108know is a week from tomorrow. And I will tell you that I did get a call from Faith Filus from uh BPF today. Yes. Today yesterday uh about this meeting. So some people were paying attention and saw it. But, you know, I as fast as we can get the notice out, we need to do better because it is. >> We can get some of the faithful testifying, won't she? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yes, she will. And so, we just need to do outreach. So, who else? Anybody have any other suggestions on who to reach out to? Willie, Lemon, who else should we be reaching out to in the community? I definitely can think about it and get back to you saying something. Uh >> I'll be reaching out to Fax because believe it or
109not, they have the same self-interest we have. Um the charter schools want that thousand. They want that uh ECS formula raised too. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to part of that, but I want to read that comment and this is the comments coming from me. Richmond Connecticut represent in the state house of representative delegation of Democrat from 2025 and 2026 session including 124 district Andrew Baker 126 fe um Mr. Fred 127, Marcos Brown 128, Christopher Rosario 129, Steve Trazel 130, Antonio Felipe 133, um Christine Mccardi and the state senator represented in Bridgeport. Um Suara and Jenn. >> Yeah. >> Why I'm saying this? This is the people they represent Bridgeport. This is the people they supposed to be communicate you with us what we want from Bridgeport. They really know what we want.
110I always say this. These are the people they know what brers go want and sometime ask my question when they are when we need them because when it's time I cannot say everyone some of them they come and call but when they need us they show up they break your door in the window but when we need us we need them for public school for our kids where they are >> this is they need us >> the governor and all of them need us but you know it's time you know they step in because they are sit down there just because they're not have a last they're beautiful day there there because we >> who else do we who else do we want to remind them how much they need? Let me make sure I
111I I mean the delegation has done a really good job. We met with them last week to talk about our budget. So they we we try to give them the the necessary data sources to be able to go and have factual conversations with with the legislators and the community that they serve. So, I think we we should be able to get, you know, and I I met with probably six of them yesterday uh at at the state capital individually to talk a little bit more about that. So, I feel that they they they they they're open and ready. Um I I went and had a conversation with um oh jeez, what's his name? Um speaker speaker of the house yesterday in his office with with Chris Rosario. I had a great conversation with him. So,
112I feel that they've done a good job of positioning the district to kind of make sure those fundies are going to be allocated. So, I'm going to do my due diligence to make sure that we are at the forefront of those conversations. And so, uh again, what we're going to do collectively is going to be powerful. Uh and then we're going to bring it in for the home run, you know, closer to the end of their session. So I think we we got we have a great position right now guys and we just got to maximize. >> That's great. That's a very well you respect and I hope they keep doing that. Not because election is coming. That's only I hope they keep doing that all the time. >> Who else? >> Thank you. >>
113Question on the agenda is who else? Who else do we want? Anybody have any other suggestions for who else we get? No. >> Is it who else? Oh, who else? >> That's the agenda. Who else? Who? Who else? people who have never never testified before. Um, but who else? That's what's that's on the agenda. That's what I'm asking. >> Five people from that question, >> right? Five people who have never testified before. If each one of us in this room get those five people, we got a 100 people who more than really haven't testified. >> I mean, who else do we want to invite to the next meeting? Who else do we want to get? >> Everybody bring five people. >> If we just if we we just keep trying to do something too big,
114we can do >> I'm not debating. I'm asking if anybody invites each other by organizations, people in the community. >> Yeah, everybody can bring people each one. >> And then next the next meeting um is going to have to be after the hearing, >> I'm afraid because it's just we're going to have to do the work for the hearing. >> Yeah. >> I don't see how we can do the because we have a board meeting Monday. Andre's meeting is on Wednesday. We either conflict with Andre's meeting. We do a meeting on Tuesday. Is there anything on Tuesday? But we don't know if Katie's going to do it, which should be Tuesday or Wednesday. So, we're not going to schedule for that. It'll have to be after the hearing. Um, and we'll have to when the
115hearing, we do want to make plans for how we get people up there. So, we'll have to do that ad if we're going to take people up there. If anyone wants to go up there, we'll poll people about who wants to go up there and car pooling on how we get up there. Um there'll be dependent on how many people go. We get probably get a bus to do that. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Testifiers to be part of this next meeting which will be after the >> in which case then I would be looking at the 25th for the next meeting. I'm a little pissed with it today >> or the 26th or the 20 24th 25th 26th. Does it matter to anybody? >> I don't know those days on Wednesday because Wednesdays are usually
116>> Yeah, Wednesday is the 25th. >> 24th is Tuesday. 25th is Wednesday. 26th is uh >> Oh, the 25th will be my meeting. So 24th is Wednesday. Let's keep it on a Thursday. >> Let's go with the 26th. But you have a follow with the 26th May with me. >> Oh, so we'll do the 24th then. >> The 24th. And if you have suggestions, let me know. And if we need a bigger room, then we'll go down to Aqua. But you got to let me know who. Yes. Albert, >> you contact somebody, you know, from the churches, you know, pastors, you know. >> Yes. Who do you want me to contact? I know people. I know who I would contact, but who do you want to contact? >> The people, you know, be not the
117same. >> No, no, no, no. It's not going to be the same people. And that's really I mean Bobby should be here. Why Bobby's not here? You can contact Bobby. I can contact Bobby. Will you contact her list? >> Huh? She's on your list, too, right? >> If you had sent out your list, it would have gotten to her. >> Marissa. >> Yeah. I have a question. My coordination is like driving me nuts a little bit. So, Rob, are you going to send out like the flyers and like the QR code so people can like sign up for testimony because I'm now getting a little bit worried that we're we might not have that in time for the 17th. >> Katie's going to send out a link for the prep. Uh, we're going to have
118to I had thought the rest of those would be here. Omar did the link, the Q code. >> We got to talk to Omar about that. Um, and so yes, we need to figure out that. Um, but I will talk to Katie about signing up people for it, but the that's fairly easy. The the state committee will have a a link on their website, so we'll have to just find the link and attach it to a flyer. Um, so we can work that out. Yes. >> Okay. So, we're going to be working through emails from this point forward through the testimony. I think that we'll put the link on emails. We'll put the link on flyers. Uh Omar had a Q code he used last year if we can use the Q code. Um and
119try and help people and if people want individual assistance, we'll offer that up too. >> Um one last question. Are we intending to also send flyers like the old school way to all the different schools and posted on Parent Square? I know that's a lot of money, but it has that been a consideration cuz I'm also thinking like the libraries we should probably post like flyers at too. >> No, that's you can make one easy. The two experts are right there on the board. >> Okay. >> Uh John Carlo and Tim. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. So what the comm side we'll handle all of that. Um we'll get tomorrow uh uh Mr. Traver if we can uh jump on a call after this and uh just kind of like strategize and further ensure
120that we're aligned. Um but yeah all of that is absolutely possible. Um actually all of it's basically done on our end. So we'll be able to submit everything share everything prior for feedback. uh we developed a advocacy budget manual as well that we'll be sending around to the group uh for uh review and any uh suggestions or tweaks uh uh um and then in addition to the written testimony um essentially what we are planning is working with Dr. FAGA to essentially have students since she's director of literacy have students write testimony uh on behalf of the district. In addition to that um we already developed a quick link sign up. U you literally scan a QR code. Uh the testimony is basically written already. It drives straight to your email and all you have to
121do is press send. Uh it's very very simple. clicks of buttons. Um, and it and and we are also going to be utilizing all our all of our communication channels from our district podcast to our parent square uh to videos. There will be massive amounts of different variations from video to static assets uh to graphics that we are going to be uh sending out each multiple times each week. Uh but yeah, so >> um basically we can if Mr. Taber, if we can uh jump on a call after this, um we can kind of just go over everything and and um we can take it from there. >> I think J Carlo, you and I need to sit down tomorrow because I think that you need to see this as we have a half a
122week. >> Absolutely. >> Um because vacation starts on Thursday and the hearing is when vacation ends. >> Absolutely. Understood. So it's not we don't have that much time. So >> absolutely agree tomorrow. Um so I I know we are speaking on who else should we invite. Carly has developed a a a community partners. It's like 40 plus community partners that have been supporting the district. We can absolutely utilize >> they should have been invited tonight. >> So I I'll you know it's an oversight. I'm not going to I I'm not going to dwell on it. We just should have invited them tonight and because it's this hearing's coming up. So, we got to, you know, we got to move on get inviting them to testify and and working with them on that and we'll just
123move forward. That's I'll take responsibility for that. >> Understood. Yeah. Moving forward, we like we can just have a better plan um and just make sure that we're aligned. So, if we can sit down tomorrow, that'd be amazing. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. I I I I will I will I will I will after the meeting you and I will talk and schedule time tomorrow. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> Yeah. No, thank you. Uh any other comments or questions, Todd? Anything else on what you were talking about? >> No, we're good. >> I'm dead serious. >> Yeah, we're good. >> That's what this is supposed to be about. >> I I just think maybe Marissa and I might be able to help you with that call with John Carlo, but we can talk about that.
124But okay. Um, you know, >> on the paper part, I'm not sure about Moritzo. I'm just not sure about the paper. Be honest with you. >> He's tight and aggressive. So, we got to we got to be in mind, >> but >> I can I can carve out some time this weekend. >> Yeah. No, I hear you, but I'm just not sure about the efficacy of papers. >> Gotcha. Yeah, maybe they found myself because um it's something I did a while back. You can't comment on something I did a while back is >> we advocate for the on the city side. >> I stood in front of the schools and talked to the parents and told them what they were in jeopardy of losing and handed them a flyer. >> Right. >> Um if we
125got we got a few people that want to go spread out to the schools and on that flyer could be you lost your librarian. We're trying to get your librarian back. We need you to come out and do and have the QR code delivered while on there. It's like getting people to vote for you. >> It's easy. >> It's it's it's like eye to eye contact. We don't need no replacement for that. It's it's old school, but >> people still do that for a reason because it's >> Yeah, we can do that before and after 17. >> All of Yeah. all of this stuff because then you put in legislative phone numbers and council phone numbers. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> Given the fact that we have a FOI committee meeting, um I'll
126take a motion to adjourn from the board member. Sorry. All in favor? I I thank