001Did to do roll call so we get back into the order. Let's uh Mr. Ben, may we have roll call, please? >> Okay, sounds like a good plan. Okay, next up we have Um, Mr. Vave, could you just introduce yourself real quick, please? >> Hello, members of the board. My name is Anu Jave. Uh, I am the 11th grade representative for Biotech Fairer. >> Thank you. And next up, we got Mr. Brian Almeida Teal. Hello, my name is Brian Omea and I'm a senior at Central Magnet in Aqua. I'm excited to share some recent highlights from Aqua. We have started sending out application decisions to students who have already applied and we're looking forward to seeing more applications, especially from Bridgeport students. Six of our FFA cabinet members were invited to attend FFA convention. It
002was an inspiring experience where they connected with fellow FFA members across the country and participate in a variety of leadership building activities. They were also able to accept the first place agri science award in power and technical systems won by alumni last year. It was a great chance to grow both personally and professionally. Our students took part in the environmental stewardship community service project in partnership with the Soundkeeper. Together we removed old lobster traps from behind the PT Barnum Apartments apartments and back of um Cams Cove um Marina. It was a meaningful way to give back to our local environment and support the health of our shoreline. Our medical laboratory sciences class had a special um lecture from Professor Susan Ferny from University of Bridgeport who shares her expertise on hematology and shared information about
003UP's medical laboratory and health science programs. And finally, we're excited to kick off our annual schoolwide food drive. Last year, our school community came together to donate over 2,000 items to those in need. This year we're aiming even higher and confident to we could be the that number with everyone's support. Thank you. >> Thank you. And online we have from it Mr. Geronimo Munes Munos. >> Hello everyone. Uh I'm Jon Rup. I'm glad to be back and I'm a senior representative from Faward Wheeler IT. During the beginning of our academic year, our graphic design teacher, Miss McGonagal, and our music teacher, Mr. Tuzolei, won a grant, which will be used for our media center for new production resources, and digital services. On October 22nd, we held our National Honor Society induction. Our National Honor Society
004is for students who embody scholarship, service, leadership, and character. During this night, students celebrated with friends and family this great honor. We have had several universities come and talk to our seniors about their programs. Along with colleges, our seniors have had the opportunity to visit Fairfield University to see their campus and learn about their programs and its paths. But our seniors are working hard on their capstone presentations and projects. They're also working with FAFSA specialists and counselor to help them with the with their application and understanding the different processes that applying for colleges and aid have. In addition, we're working to secure internships with local businesses so students can apply their classroom learning in real um settings with plans to launch the program in January. On November 12 at 6:30, which is in two days,
005Fcha will have a presentation for families regarding college and financial aid advice. Lastly, our journalism class has been hosting different capstone groups to broadcast their capstone ideas and surveys on our campuswide morning show. That is it from Fair Traheer. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I see we have another student joining us, Deborah Graciano. Good evening. I'm a junior at Bridgeport Military Academy and due to our absence from the last meeting, these reports include comprehensive overview of recent academic, extracurricular and leadership activities at BMA. So the Connecticut ed site reports rel reports released last week revealed that Bridgeport Military Academy BMA achieve a remarkable four 5.4 point increase in its school accountability index largest growth among high school statewide between 2023 and 24 and 2024 and 25 school years. This significant gain propelled BMA from
006fifth place to fourth place within the Bridgeport district. Over the past three year three years BMA have improved by 8.1 points reflecting a sustained com commitment to academic excellency. So group performance rose across all academics areas with LA increasing by 6.8 points, math by 4.8 and science by 4.6. Six. These gains are results from schoolwide efforts included the including the implementation of mandatory reading plus assignments last year and K Academy assignment this year reinforcing foundation skills and personalized learning. Academic initiatives October 8th all students participated in college board testing. 11th and 12th graders took the SAT and PSAT. Ninth and 10th graders completed the K Academy practice PSAT initiating a data set uh support future personalized learning through CAN. Octo October 13. All students were assigned can SAT math 11th and 12th graders or getting
007ready for SAT math 9th and 10th graders with the requirements to complete units every two or three weeks. Leadership and Community Engagement. October 9th, 14 cadets attended attended a leadership workshop hosted by the Connecticut Nation Guard focusing on team building discipline and career pathway in public service. Uh October 10th, the Navy the Navy and NTC team proudly march in the Columbus Day parade representing BMA with honor and precision. October 7th 17th BMA held its first monthly company competitions. Fox company first responders earned the top honor. Congratulations to all the top honors. Congratulations to all cadets for their spirit participation. School spirit and culture. October 27 and 30 31 BMA celebrated spirit week fostering um com fostering com camaraderities and school pride through team jazz day and student le activities cultural enrichment November 7th for 40
008juniors and seniors attend a performance of the importance of being earnest at the Westport country playhouse house, enriching their understanding of classic literature, literature and theatrical arts. Honoring tradition honoring tradition November 2nd, a dozen cadets attended the 250th birthday ball at Yale University. Commemorating naval heritage and engaging with military leadership and peers from the state. That's it. >> Thank you. Uh, is are there any more students online? >> Sam, do we have sound? >> Next up, which should have been last up, is Rojo. >> Good evening everyone. [snorts] Christine Baptist Paris Casemia Marimenez >> present >> Mr. Willie Medina >> present >> Miss Jennifer Perez >> here >> Mr. Joseph Sakiv >> present >> Mr. Robert Traver and Mr. Andrew Woodson. >> We got a chron. >> Superintendent chair. I I wouldn't I would like
009to re to um put a special message out to the the student board reps. I'm having an event on Friday, November the 14th, and I'm going to invite you as my special guests to that event. Uh Tim and John Carlo will be providing additional information for you. Uh working out how we will get you to and from the the the event's going to be at Husatonic. It is a u the BPS unified address by me to the community. I would love for you guys to join me. So it's that is the 14th at 10 o'clock at Husatonic and more information is coming. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Superintendent. Um, next up is the chairperson's report. Miss Perez is online. Miss Perez, do you have anything for us? >> I don't have any updates
010today. Um, aside from just our um convention coming up next week that we're going that most of the board are attending. Um, and some of the new board members will be attending a CABE um, new board training in December. Um, other than that, um, I don't have anything else I need to share. Sorry, I'm trying to hold back a cough. Um, I don't have anything else to share right now. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. That brings us to committee Oh, called it out. >> Yeah, I apologize. I'm skipping around the agenda. We are on number five, public comment after student representative reports. Thank you, Mr. Medina. Let's call a point order. I mess up. Apologize everybody. Good evening um chair and superintendent of schools and the board members and the boards that's uh online.
011Uh my name is Jim Moros, a retired board of ed employee. I'm here to speak to about Mar Schwarz that's been a volunteer for the Bridgeport public schools for the past well was 40 years uh with her from Jefferson to Roosevelt to any other school and running the parents groups. Uh some of your board members were with her at the time Mr. Resto. So, the family is asking uh on May 30th of 2025, I turned 60 and um there was a mention that some of the boards said they would they would like the new uh parent center at Hosatonic Community College be named after Mars Warts. So, I'm here today again. This is my second time. I didn't see when there was a next uh meeting to go in front of the committee. So, I
012would like to get that cuz as a retired employee, I do not get board of ed emails anymore. Um, I'm still part of the union. So, I still represent the names people that are board of ed employees. I just don't see it. That's the policy for the board of ed. But if I can get email, I can give you the email personally on the side. Uh so I could get contact when there's a next meeting to me or my two brothers and my family could be there also to uh to show support of seeing if we could get the name uh from our mother and uh grandmother and great grandchildren. Thank you very much and thank you the opportunity to speak. >> Thank you. Um Miss Jess Rustto is up next. Uh, good evening everyone.
013Um, Jess Resto, I'd like to start by congratulating those of you who won your election. I'm here tonight tonight to raise a concern that I believe deserves attention as elected officials and trusting with shaping the educational environment for students. I feel strongly that this board should be held to the stu the same standards as we expect staff and students. I'll begin with attendance. When a student consistently misses school, we intervene. We hold them accountable. I believe the same should be applied to our elected officials. If [clears throat] you cannot attend meetings regularly, the board should reconsider whether you should continue to hold your seat. And if you must attend [clears throat] virtually, your camera should be on and you should be visible just as students were expected to in their virtual classrooms. I also want
014to address the use of phones during meetings. It's disheartening to see board members distracted by their devices, excuse me, especially during public comment or when student rep are presenting. Those moments deserve your full attention. We deserve to be heard and respected. This isn't asking for much. It's about modeling the behavior we expect from staff and students. You have the power to set this tone. You can lead by example. Change begins with leadership. And let's show students the account what accountability, respect, and presence looks like, not just in words, but actions. Um, I wish you all good luck because your success is our success. Thank you. >> That is the end of public comment. Um, I'll try to get the order correct at this time. We did the chairman's report out of order. So, next up
015we have number six. Thank you, Mr. Approval of minutes. Yes. Thank you. Wow. I'll get it right after this. Okay. We have a approval of minutes dated October 27th, 2025. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Uh any edits or corrections? I've got two on the Okay, I lost the first one. On the first page, there's a word missing. There's a letter missing and a one word. And on page 10, where are we? Two, three. Paragraph one, two, three. Paragraph three. Second sentence he he added RFP should not be written a narrow way. It should be in such a narrow way. And there's a letter letter L missing on page one. I don't have it in front of me but I think it's like two paragraphs and that's all I have. Does anybody have
016anything else? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I >> opposed. >> Any abstensions? >> Motion carries. >> Next up on the agenda is number eight, committee reports and referrals. Uh first up we have finance. Uh madam chair, do you have anything? Um the finance committee met uh two weeks ago and um on today's agenda we we have uh two of the items uh one is an extension of the carbor program at classical studies which is their extracurricular activities um and the other one is for EMT course at um BMA um and those will be presented tonight um our next finance committee meeting will be next week uh November 19th um at 5:30 :30 at city hall. Um, that's all I have. >> Is there any referrals for finance? >> Yeah, Miss uh
017Miss Perez, I'll email you as well. I just want to refer some uh just start coming up with some advocacy strategies going into the new session. >> Thank you, Mr. Medina. Uh, Miss Per, Miss Eststera Jimnis, >> um, I have a referral um, pertaining to the transfer transportation fees and the cameras. Um, we chatted about it a while back that, you know, we should consider a potential renegotiation of the fees um of people passing the buses when the stop sign is out for potential um not fully funding transportation busing, but funding at least somewhat. Um, so we just wanted to refer that back to back to the finance committee for consideration of looking at the contract and then also um potential negotiation with the city. >> Okay. Could you please email that to Mr. Rose
018as well? >> Yes, certainly. >> And Okay. Next up is instruction and support services. Mr. Treyber is not with us this evening, but if anybody has referrals they want to put on the record, do so now and follow up with an email to Mr. Traber as well. >> Hearing none, policy and personnel. Mr. Medina, >> thank you uh Mr. Chair. Uh policy and personnel have not met since the last uh board meeting. Uh next meeting will be this uh coming Wednesday uh November 12th. Um I did get a few uh referrals and things that we have to move forward from the last meeting and but also there's uh three policies in consideration related to school libraries. So we're going to be uh possibly speaking about those. Um I'll take any referrals. Miss Marissa, you still
019have your hand up. No, I have a new referral. >> Go ahead, Mr. Herman. >> Okay. Um, the new referral is about the discussion of a potential equity committee after some incidents happened with another school district. Um, I thought it would be prudent for us to have a conversation about an equity committee. Obviously, not calling it that for funding reasons. Um, but really just wanted to have a conversation about what that would look like. >> Thank you. >> Y >> be ready Wednesday. [laughter] >> Okay. >> If there's nothing else, >> the facilities committee report, Miss Perez, >> the facilities committee met last week. Um, we had an update um from PMA in in regards to workman's comp workman's comp um and we had some updates for um uh the decommissioning for BASIC and the
020facilities master plan. We're going to have a further discussion on that come December um [clears throat] and and go into a lot more details about um the facilities master plan and the uh b and basic decommissioning. Um uh so far I know there um I didn't get to read the article, but I know that there was reports about breakins in the school. Um we do have security in the building. Um, so I I do want to clarify that there there is a security guard posted in the building per per Mr. um Mr. Garcia said that at our last meeting. Um I didn't read the full article, so I don't want to go into detail about that, but I did see that. Um and so um I just wanted to clarify that that was um discussed
021at our last facilities committee. So we can get a further update on that. Um and um at the at the next meeting on December uh tentatively scheduled December 3rd um the first week of December. Are there any referrals to facilities? Seeing none, we'll move on to the cave report. And that's myself. Nothing really to report on cave. We got the convention up and coming and seeing as we had um some turnover in the election. Um need need to ensure um the new board members are reached out. I believe it's Perez um reached out to the new board members and ensure that they either get their fees paid and what have you. So for them to uh be able to attend so they can hit the ground running if they are able. I know a short
022notice so they might not be able to. Thank you. >> Yes, I presented that. I think uh the chair has also presented that information to them. I know I've talked to one of the new board members and I think she is uh scheduled to attend December 9th new board member training. I think uh I think I'm also going to do the leadership strand of that as well. So hopefully we'll have some interaction as well. And now next up on the agenda is the superintendent report. Dr. Avery, take it away. I see you join me up there. >> Good afternoon every good evening everyone. Uh this is my superintendent report. I'm I'm excited to kind of talk a little bit about the data. Uh the next generation uh accountability rating was just released by the state
023of Connecticut. uh and Miss Huge is going to accompany me and add Valy to my presentation. Uh so thank you uh Miss Huge uh for uh joining me this this um this evening. Uh the next generation accountability categories changed changes this year was based on a three-year average. And usually what happens with uh the state accountability report uh they they base it on the three-year average of every school. And I'm going to go into the details of it and it talks a little bit about the 12 indicators that uh is reported by the state and that is monitored by the state. So next slide. I'm I'm very pleased to announce, you know, this this evening that we had uh a couple of schools, you know, Roosevelt, Barnum, Madison, and and Harding was released from the
024turnaround list this year. And so I would like for everybody to give them a huge round of applause. It's awesome. Um, and and I say that because because I think it's important that, you know, with all the things that have happened, you know, to the district, with the district, in the district over the last year, and for four schools to come off the accountability list, uh, for the great work that they're doing within their buildings is is is a a monumental task. And so I wanted to also extend my congratulations to those principles. uh you know uh for sure. Uh the other change that didn't get them totally off of the accountability list, but Warren Harding was removed from a from a targeted turnaround school to a focus school. Uh and so we'll go into
025a little bit of that as well on how they made that task. In addition to that, BASIC was removed from the turnaround list for graduation rate. That means they improve accountability in the graduation area. Uh and then unfortunately we had one one school although they made progress last year but their three-year average put them on the accountability list and that's Edison uh is now a focus school uh intern moved from a focus school to a turnaround school. Mar you want to add to that >> testing? Yeah, the one thing I do want to add is that we started off the year with 13 turnaround schools on the list and we're ending up with 10. Shout out to principles and our teachers for the good great work. Next slide. So there are 13 there are 13
026lowest performing school districts in Connecticut known as Alliance District. 33 I'm sorry 33 you know of the 33 uh districts the lowest performing 10 districts are referred to opportunity opportunity districts so what what they what they have they have 33 schools that are known as alliance district then the top the bottom 10 of those schools are opportunity districts and and usually what happens the state provides additional support to those schools and to those to those districts uh in the forms of monetary support, uh, professional development, resources, and those types of things. Last year, Bridgeport ranked fifth from the lowest, and this year we we tied for fifth with Hartford, although, you know, we didn't really move overall, but we stayed in the middle. And so, we're tied for fourth, fifth, whatever you want to call
027that, and work from there. Uh this what this slide shows is the accountability index which the other the the other name that this goes by at the state is the state's report card. Um and it compares it to this current the 2425 uh accountability index and the final column is the change column. As you can see, for the most part, the schools from Waterberry to New London, that range is is incremental. Um, but this is where we pretty much have lived in the the uh level four and level five for several several years. As part of the opportunity district work, we meet with the state department of education three times a year to specifically uh focus on uh the progress, what our goals are for the year, what our focus has been, and then um
028this year they they switched it up a bit and they had us go to Harding High School and they did a a deep dive into Harding's goals. They looked at where is the school how is it connected to the alliance district grant and then how is it d how how are their needs connected to the school improvement grant >> and I think one of the things I want to emphasize is I think the state has kind of shifted their way of focusing on these schools uh because the state is also uh in a in a in a time where they've they also are being monitored and focused on regarding how the state of Connecticut is spending the money to support these these these schools. So again, it's a there everything is being shifted a little
029bit on making sure that the knowledge that are spent within schools are spent in a way that's going to be meaningful for academic progress for uh for students. Next slide. On this slide, I would I would like to kind of, you know, emphasize that there are 12 indicators that make up the accountability index. uh and so Bridgeport has increased you know in small increments in ELA, math, science and and the overall achievement uh which means you know students that are reduced lunch reduced lunch students MLL students and student with disabilities. So again, we've increased in those areas, but we have so much more to do and so much more to advance on. Increases in ELA and math also, you'll see that on the chart as well. Uh the multilingual language growth for literacy and oral
030proficiency is showcased on this uh slide as well. And also the increases in the percentage of students taking dual credit AP and CTE courses. So overall what you see in green is advances there. if the little the slight color pink colors mean that we decreased in those areas. So overall, you know, we have to make sure that we stay focused in all 12 indicators in order to make sure that we we stay in uh good standings with the state. Want to add anything to that? >> Uh no, we're good. >> All right, next slide. In this in this slide, it it really kind of looks at the schools within the districts that are performing at or above uh the indexes. Uh it really gives you a comprehensive of of the 23 schools, 23 of our
03135 schools reporting had increased in the accountability indexes for 23 and 24. Uh so that's and that's very important to look at that. So you look at the schools that has focus or turnaround by them. Those are the schools that are uh we really tried to make an emphasis to try to make sure that they improve. Uh and so when you look at those schools in addition to the schools that are not in school turnaround, there's been progress and I think that's important for us. I know from the academic standpoint, it's important to uh making sure that we focus on tier one instruction as we keep uh the focus of uh continuous improvement. Marge, anything else? I just want to make note that of the of the schools that's shown in the 23 schools that
032had an increase from the 23 24 accountability index, we had 13 of them. No, we had 10, 2, 4, 6, eight. Eight of the 13 schools had increases in their performance, which is again a huge huge shout out to them. They may not have exited turnaround. However, the work that they done is showing continuous improvement in tier one instruction. Right, next slide. So, in this slide, it talks it it it kind of showcases the campuses that are still working towards making sure they hit to that green marker, right? And so, I think it's important to to look at some of these schools. uh you have one, two, three, four of those schools that are currently turnaround schools that we have to make sure that a laser focus uh you know sport is giving to those
033schools in order for them to to move the needle. Uh again, some of these schools that are not turnaround schools, there have been some declines in some of the areas as well. Uh and uh Mar you want to add anything else to that? Yes, I just want to note that for all of our schools, we are doing a a deeper dive and looking at all of their index indicators and then sitting with the principles and reviewing reviewing it with them so they know exactly where where there's areas that they can pick up. All right, next slide. And this this as we go into the district operating goals, I shared the goals with uh board chair and as as the board starts looking at academic goals to uh to hold the district and hold the superintendent
034account for accountable for these are the things that we have to show. Next slide. That that's it. Uh it it talks about a baseline which is this year's baseline. uh the data that I gave the uh the board was last year's baseline but technically this is the baseline that we will be starting. So every year you should see a progress and increase uh for measurable ways and measurable timelines as we move throughout the next couple of years in the areas of ELA um math and um this ELA and math that's usually the focal areas that we have kind of concentrated on. So you'll see next year's um for this upcoming accountability cycle 57% in uh for the ELA goal uh and ELA high needs goal is is 56.4% and then the math goals uh is
03561.7% and high needs goal is 61.1%. Again these things are just targets for the district to kind of move towards improving overall. I wanted to add to this if I could that we based our ELA and math on the growth goals. So it's not based on performance or achievement. It's based on growth. There are also indicators in there for chronic absenteeism and high school measurement as well. >> And and one of the things that's going to happen is Marge and her division are going to be providing a a detailed report to the academic committee uh to the instructional support committee I'm sorry with Mr. the travers uh committee uh in the upcoming uh u meeting because the data just came out wanted to make sure that we um provided in-depth perspective into uh the district's
036data. So I'll take any questions. >> Any questions for the superintendent? >> Mr. Medina, >> can you go back to the first slide, please, guys? When we talk about uh those schools that are exiting turnaround, what is let us know what does that mean? >> Okay, there are 12 indicators that make up that accountability index that very detailed report for Bridgeport that was the overall um and if you look on slide four Sam if we could go to slide four. So every school has a breakout of scores that are based on these 12 indicators. The first indicator is performance for math, ELA and science. That means achievement. How many kids are at or above grade level and the state converts that to an index so that you can compare it across the state. Uh indicator
037number two, those are the growth in indexes and that measures the a the percentage the average percentage of target achieved for math ELA and science. I'm sorry, math ELA and our multilingual learners in both literacy proficiency and oral proficiency. The chronic absenteeism for us and for many of our schools, we did take a hit there and we've got initiatives this year to remedy that uh for next year. the pre preparation and the percentage of uh students taking courses in the high school that are dual language or dual language dual credit AP or uh two two CTE courses we've shown increases not only in the percentage of kids taking the courses but also passing them as well. Um the other index or uh on track to high school graduation. So, as a as a elementary school,
038if I have a number in there, that means who who left my school as an eighth grader, went on to high school, and were they successful in high school? And they use that percentage um to reflect on the elementary side. The four-year graduation rate, that's speaks for itself for the high schools. the postsecary entrance. These are the number of graduating class from the class of 2021 that actually went on to secondary education andor career path pathways. Then you've got your physical fitness and your art access. And those that summation of scores gives you what the state refers to as their accountability index. And it's basically the report card that they're measuring. That's how they measure schools. And then you get either a category one, two, three, four, and a five is are schools that have
039been in turnaround status for many for several years like two or three years. >> So with the turnaround status, as I learned over the years, you know, they were getting extra assistance, they were getting extra um I don't know if it was through staff or funding and all that. So right now all that stuff gets retracted. That's what I want to find out what's happening with our schools because I don't want A great question because what's >> question I asked the state that question >> I asked the state that question historically once you were in a cohort you may so for instance we just this year is our first year cohort not our first year it's it's a new brand new cohort for our school improvement grants historically if you got out of turnaround you
040still were able to participate in the cohort for the next four years based on my discussions with the state they were not able to confirm that because what they needed to do was take a look at what their allocation from the feds would be before they could make any commitment to continuing on those funds unfortunately. >> And so what we're doing, we're monitoring that because that is going to be I feel a huge blow to those individual campuses because they just got off. Yes. but they also were dependent on those those those services and support financial aid to help them, you know, achieve that that status. So, uh if if they're going to not have that support, then we're going to have to really monitor. >> And the only one is the one for >>
041Excuse me. Mute your mic, please. Please, >> do you want to clarify that they're keeping the SIG grant for this year? They're not going to take it away for next year. >> This year rather, this year they have the funds for this year and we're cautiously optimistic that it'll stay in place. >> We're going to be we're going to be monitoring that because I think that you make a great fact and a great question and we've asked the same question, but we need to make sure that we uh are willing to monitor that. So, thank you for that. >> Appreciate that. Can you go back to that slide, please again? Oh, okay. No problem. I'm sorry. So, I know u I'll continue. I said they they do that. I know now Harden was on that
042and now that turned into a focus and then Bassic was exiting the grad rates >> only the still >> they're still on for the academic portion of their of of the turnaround, but they exited the graduation rate. And then Edison, as I remember taking my notes, Edison f is focused to turnaround. >> Edison Edison this year had tremendous double-digit growth in ELA and math. Unfortunately, their work with their multilingual learners declined significantly and their physical education numbers declined. So, those are two very uh uh Dr. Alexander is going to continue working on the school improvement with a particular focus on the multilingual learners and the physical ed. >> What does that mean? Focus to turnaround. Could I can you go back to the second >> and the school >> second number two? I think that's
043where I got it from. >> So >> yeah, it says focus to turnaround. >> So you've got comprehensive support schools. Those are the the schools that are full-blown everybody needs support. ELA, math across the board, the focus schools. Um, so for instance with Harding, Harding is a f Harding dropped to from a full-blown turnaround where everyone needs support to a focus school for their high needs population in ELA, math, and science. High needs being defined as free and reduced lunch students um uh with with disabilities and multilingual learners. So, they've got to focus on that subgroup of students. Edison, on the other hand, went from a a math focus in the prior year to a full-blown turnaround status. So, it's so a focus school, you can kind of, you know, think of it as a
044school that that we're watching or the state's watching for for one of the indicators or not. The turnaround schools is a fullfledged, you know, turnaround where state is involved in the day-to-day of those schools. >> Now, Madison was a focus school and BMA is a focus school, >> right? So, they just watch those schools because they could go either way. They can improve or they can slip down and and become a turnaround school. And that's why so so important. So, as we as we look at all of our schools and what's happening, we have to make sure that we're giving the every single school in our district the opportunity to to teach at that tier one level where everybody's getting the same kind of curriculum and it bends on how the leaderships in those schools
045support their campuses and the district supports those campuses as well. So, it's just a it's a team effort. uh and we we can't lose our sight lose sight of who needs support where they need it and depending in different area because some some some campuses are more are more more focused on their multilingual language because they have a higher population some have more special ed right so we have to focus on making sure that those then you have some that don't have all any of those so we have to blend those that that support based on where they fall within the accountability index So great great question. >> Thank you. I'll bring some followup with uh with instruction and support with Rob Traver's thing to try to get more information on on this. >> Yeah.
046Um the primary focus with our turnaround schools is really ensuring that their tier one instruction is solid. Meaning they're using the rigorous curriculum. They're using the district resources that are lined with the curriculum. They're doing small groupoup instructions based on looking at student work, having that inform their instruction, and working with kids to make sure they continue to grow. Any other questions before time? Seeing none. I I got a couple questions. Could you um Mr. Medina touched on it a bit my thunder the finances. Um what happens when a school goes into turnaround status? What was it an initial thing? >> What happens? >> Yes. >> So with internally or externally? >> Uh b basically what external forces come in to help once we're identified as a turnaround school? the um as a turnaround school,
047they're they are available for school improvement grants. Three times a year, the state will um meet with the school to go over their grant, their school improvement grant plan. One time during the year, they'll come in and do a walk through. The crux of the work is done internally. Um with last year when I was executive director of school turnaround, I was doing bi-weekly meetings and then alternating strategy meetings with the school. really working with the PR doing walkthroughs, looking at classrooms and and improving tier one instruction. >> Right. And I'm gonna I'm gonna ask a question about your expertise with this on a state level in this in this >> Say that again. >> I'm gonna I'm gonna ask a question about your expertise in a state level. You've been around with school turnarounds.
048How many districts as schools receive school turnaround additional funding that don't approve? Well, to give you a context, this year there were 13 out of 72 turnaround schools. 13 schools exited the status. We had four of them. >> And and but all the other schools, did they show growth? >> Uh I have not studied the other districts at that level. I would assume that the uh historically when one district in you know districts usually go the same direction. So if every if everybody has increases however when they do the calculation to get out it's a three-year weighted average. So it's not just one year's performance, it's performance over the past three years. >> Right. So we could say there's some correlation to additional funding and performance. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. And that's important because I'm
049looking at the list over here and I was on my phone just full disclosure I was on my phone researching for board data. Um you look you look at our sister cities Waterberry, New Haven, Bridgeport and New Britain. I'm going to ignore Harford because they got a peculiar funding strategy. All these schools get under $20,000 per pupil in funding. Now these higher performing schools that we see in the newspaper, all these schools are great. They're awesome. You're looking at Greenwich and Westport. More power to them. But they are funded at $25,000 and $27,000 per pupil. And although students are more than test scores, test scores are basically driven and performance is driven by what you put into it, what you invest. >> Absolutely. And I will tell you that Waterberry and New Haven, they have
050coaches as does New Britain. We're the only district I would say we're the only large district in in in our state that we do not have coaches. We have directors who are doing as covering we have what over,00 classrooms covering as many classrooms providing support as we can. So it's you know I'm proud of the fact that our district has been able to maintain I mean it's not great being fifth from the bottom. However, we've been able to maintain it without Hartford has coaches. New Haven, Waterberry, they all have coaches in place. >> Right. >> We do not. >> Right. That being said, often said it's um money is not always the solution, but it's a big part of it. However, if you look at the schools below us with the exception of New Britain,
051they all receive slightly more per funding pupil. That means our students and our staff are resilient. They do more than with less and they could overcome the adversities. Not saying that they should have to. I mean, I'm highly insulted that our kids got to suffer and struggle for every single little thing they get and have to fight for basically scraps. But with what we're doing, we're doing an awesome job. Our students rise above and our staff rise above and I thank each and every one of them for persevering through these troubling times of imagine what we could do if we did get funding for coaches. Absolutely. >> Now, Martin, that stat that again about the number of schools that were that got off of >> Give me that number again. I want I want everybody
052to hear what she just said. >> There of 72 turnaround status schools, 13 schools came off turnaround status. Four were ours. >> Four. Four out of the 13. >> Bridgeport public schools. The closest district to us was New Britain and they had two come off the list. So that that tells you that with the staff, the administration, my executive staff, Marge was is a huge part of that, you know, because she was the executive director for turnaround last year. We stayed focused. We did what we need to do, you know, and just think if we had the additional resources, we could do so much more. So again, I think it's important that, you know, the data is here, but we're not stopping there. We have much, much more to do for kids. And so that's
053the goal. That's what we've been talking about and we're going to set the bar high. So, uh, you know, my executive directors, where are you? One's there, one's out sick. Uh, and so, uh, just keep it keep focused. Let's work with the principles and the staff, uh, at at the campus level and just make it happen. >> And I want to give a shout out to the turnaround schools. Although they didn't exit turnaround status, there were nine of them that did show increases over last year. So, they're on their way. Yes. >> And really final point I'm going to make. Um it's really a disincentive to try to exit because those supports may go away. [laughter] >> Don't say that. >> I mean I mean if you do good, we're going to take money from
054you. If you do bad, we're going to get >> we do if we do good, our kids do good. >> Yeah, absolutely. I I agree. But um >> we do good. >> We need those supports. But we're good. We're gonna make it work. >> Awesome. Mr. Benad. >> Thank you, Mr. Vice. Um, the only thing I can say thank you. Thank you for the the team. Thank you for coming in because we show um the whole Connecticut. We showed the whole like you said, we uh we need people. We need coaches. So, we show them just because we don't have they don't give it to us the way it was supposed to be. We show them we can do it. >> We're not [clears throat] going to give up. >> You know, um they know
055we we how far we go, but they can they know we're not going to give up on this for the children. We show them that whatever they they say and they try to add things, you know, give a more work to you guys that you guys do the job >> well. And our administrators, our principles, yeah, those principles that came off of the turnaround list in addition to others that have shown increases, they are instructional leaders and they've worked incredibly hard and I've been working with them for the five years at the state and now the one year, my one year here last year. They've worked incredibly hard and deserve a tremendous amount of credit. >> We know that nothing is easy. I know you guys going through a lot of things, you know, all
056of us because as always I say together we can make the different and that's what we here for. Be sure our children's staff, parent, they are you receive what they, you know, we're supposed to. So we show them the whole Connecticut especially the state you know what we doing and we're not going to give up for this. But thank you for all the cabinet and thank you Dr. favor and your team and all board members too because together that's what we say we can do the different. Thank you. >> You thank you. I see no more hands. Um last call for questions on the superintendent. Seeing none, we will move on to new business as there is no unfinished business. Dr. You got something? I'm sorry. And okay, new business approval of the agreement between
057Bridgeport Public Schools and the Carver to carry out activities associated with the Classical Studies Magnate Academyy's upper school extended school hours program. >> Good evening everybody. Can you hear me? Okay. Uh my name is Hannah Whitley. I'm the deputy grants director for Bridgeport Public Schools. Um representing Principal Cunningham Classical Studies the Magnet Academy this evening. Um, so you have before you a contract agreement between Bridgefor Public Schools and the Carver and Principal Cunningham has uh provided you with a statement he asked me to read this evening. He said, "Since 2018, Classical Studies Magnet Academy has partnered with the Carver Foundation to provide a meaningful, robust, engaging, and successful afterchool program. The proposed program before you would run for four days per week with two days dedicated specifically to ELA intervention and two days focused on
058math support. In addition, students would have a wide range of enrichment opportunities including art, music, robotics, and cooking. Upper grade students would participate as mentors in the program, allowing them to give back to the school community. And there would be significant time for parent engagement with math nights, literacy nights, and project celebrations. Classical Studies anticipates about a 100 students being served through this program with the school year. Um, and they plan to begin services as soon as approval is received by the board. >> Mr. >> Yes. I'd like to make a motion to approve the agreement between BPS and the Carver to carry out activities associated with classical studies magnetic cavity upper school extended hours. >> I will second it. Any further discussion? >> Yeah, I just have one comment. This has been thoroughly vetted
059in committee and is seemed like there's a lot of support and we're not just rubber stamping anything just so the community knows in case you did not watch the committee meeting this was discussed for like 20 30 minutes at least at length. So there's nothing else. All in favor? >> I opposed >> I. >> Any abstensions? Motion carries. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Next up on the agenda is approval of the agreement between Bridgeport Public Schools and Mission Connecticut no Mission CIT [snorts] LLC for EMT training course at Bridgeport Military Academy. >> Uh good evening board members and superintendent, executive staff and the audience. Um Bridgeport Military Academy, one of its themes is uh first responders. Uh we've been running an EMT certification program since uh third year. So this is the 10th year
060of the program. We've been using mission CIT for the last three years. Um this is funded by because Bridgeport Military Academy is a focus school. We're using our school improvement grant to fund this. It's not being funded through district money. Um to fund an instructor which also includes certification and testing for our students. uh the partnership we've had with Mission CT. Uh this is our as I said before it's our third year. They bring an instructor along with one of our teachers and the students go through a one-year long course um both semesters to complete the uh requirement and take a national um uh EMT course. um long-term goal because this is expensive and hopefully we'll be exiting also soon is to have one of our staff certified as an EMT instructor, but that takes
061se that takes a little bit of time, but that could save the district or city grant money uh several thousand dollars. >> Mr. Medina, >> I would like to make a motion to approve the agreement between Bridgeport Public Schools and Mission CIT LLC for EMT training course at Bridge, our very own Bridgeport Military Academy. >> All right. Uh, any qu any questions? None. Um, you said expensive. How much? It's $27,900 a year. It was went up $900 from last year to this year. I also because they're not certified teachers, I also have a certified teacher in the classroom with them. My goal is I'm hiring a new naval science instructor who is a former uh Navy corman uh who's interested in becoming an EMT and EMT instructor. Um we would because of the way the
062Navy contract works, we could be teaching a fourth course and that would be this course. it' be additional stipen form, but it would be a fraction, maybe 30% of what we're paying uh this organization. And also, it'd be freeing up a teacher to teach another course. So, ideally, this is something I've been trying to to finagle and it's a large commitment for my staff because it's over it's uh uh the whole it's I don't know, let me go back to the numbers. It's over 300 hours of instruction and then many hours of uh ride time to make that work. So, it's going to be a commitment on the new staff member to take that on, but I'm trying to get that set up to save the district money in the long run. And I'm hoping
063to exit the focus school next year or the year after. >> And um another question, I probably should ask this at the committee. Um how many students have went through the EMT training? >> It's about 12 per year. >> 12 per year. Do we know how many guess how many actually pass the certifications or >> um we have a pass rate of about 80%. A lot of students don't a lot of students do not get the ride time necessary to complete the certification. Um it that that is a lot of time. So they they can do it and have done it and some of them have joined the fire department uh both here and and the surrounding cities. >> That's going to sound strange coming from me but that doesn't sound expensive to me. Again,
064you divide eight per year by what was it? 36,000. It's pen. These kids got careers out of this coming out of high school. >> The the one of the things that we did some research and we're using it for our recruitment is that an EMT right after who's initially certified is bringing about $56,000. Uh after several years, um it can rise up if they become a firefighter and do that. After four years on the force, the average salary is over $100,000 because of the way the schedule works. So it's some way we can bring our students up up above the poverty level and into the middle class with no college. >> Awesome. I 100% approve here. >> I think I want to kind of emphasize one of the things that Mr. Lip is doing and
065have we have been in conversation regarding you know magnet status for academy the possible change. Uh so one of the things that he's trying to add value to what he brings to the table for the children at Bridgeport Military Gathering uh the Magna Stad will be a huge East money tied to that. Uh but again really trying to make sure we find a permanent home for that campus as we look at expanding and doing the work there. So we're in those initial initial conversations. uh we're just a matter of just uh you know trying to make sure the timing is correct to be able to do things with it. Uh and so uh just to to let you guys know that we we we've had preliminary conversation but we have not bring any part any
066form of a proposal to the board at this moment but I keep trying to hold hold him off a little bit because he wants to do more and it's the great thing because he's all about trying to do great things for kids. uh a lot of his kids go to really prestigious universities and they do really really well. And so we want to tap into that a little bit as well. And as you see, not only at this campus, we're looking at doing some additional things at the other comprehensive high schools as well in order to kind of replicate some of the great things that we're doing in this district. So, uh I'm excited. Uh it's just a matter of just trying to, you know, time it all out. uh and this is a great
067opportunity for us to uh to provide that added value and as we look at upcoming years having our own staff doing it. So we'll have to pay these outside agencies and that's what he's striving to do. So I I applaud him and uh and and his efforts just know that you I hear you and we're gonna we're going to keep it we're going to keep it focused for you as well. >> Mr. Ben, >> thank you Mr. Cos. Um I'm going back a little bit what u Dr. Iris say. Um commander I I have to say thank you because from the time you take BMA it's a lot of change you know it's a lot of things and I will say thank you first of all thank you for your service and I know for
068the day one you do a lot of things for BMA. People they don't know exactly what are you doing people like to point and say things behind scenes or in social media that we don't care about BMA. Yes, we are care about BMA because I know you're doing an amazing job and you know the cabinet the board members and I know BMA is going to be more history about the way we got right now but I would say thank you for everything and your team too because you're not doing this by yourself but I appreciate commander everything you do for BMA. I really appreciate that. Thank you. >> Well, thank you board. That's um I have a great team. My teachers are you know work really hard and the students are were are becoming more
069and more motivated to be successful. So, um, I appreciate, uh, the support I'm getting from the board, the superintendent, and his staff. >> Awesome. Last call, comments, questions, debate. >> Hearing none. All in favor? I >> I >> any opposed? >> I any um abstensions? >> Motion carries. >> Uh, thank you everyone. >> Final agenda item is Say again. >> Ajournment. Okay. I thought I missed something again. [laughter] Do I have a motion to adjourn? Second. >> All in favor? I I