001Wait for me. We're starting. Good evening. This is a meeting of the Operations Committee. Um today is May 6th and it is 5:34. We're at City Hall room 305. Um Independence I'm going to go first, the committee chair. We have committee members um Rinson, Estella Mendez, and Joanne Berg Jennings joined online. Um online we have Olivia Dina. In person we have Joseph and Alice with board members. Um so we'll get started. The first item is the approval of the minutes dated April 1st, 2026. Motion. Motion to approve minutes. Thank you. Um motion to approve the minutes dated April 1st, 2026. I can that. Any discussion on it? All in favor say I. I. I. Mr. Wilson has joined the meeting. Board member. All right, we'll get started with the legislative audit. Financial update. good afternoon
002everybody. Uh Mr. and I wanted to kind of give an overview of probably a lot of the uh funding assurances that we've gotten through this legislative session. Uh they are concluding the session uh at midnight tonight to finalize hopefully be able to kind of have a a few more financial adjustments that may be coming our way, not for sure, but for sure after tonight's closure, we will have specific bills that we can analyze and make sure that we uh are you know understanding you know uh the intent of the legislative uh appointment of dollars for the district, but I do want to clarify that based on what has been put out there publicly by the governor, the delegation, um, and by the city, uh, we're we're going to we're we're moving very cautiously because we
003still don't have enough money to be able to, um, fill our deficit and I'm willing to make sure that um the community knew knows that uh I've had a lot of people reaching out saying, "Great and wonderful, you guys got money. We're good to go." I've had well, no, we don't have enough money. Uh, and I want to make sure that we clarify that. So, Nestor's going to kind of go through, you know, some of the things that we feel that are pretty definite uh and some things that are not as concrete as we hoped them to be. Uh, again, um, one side note on the the audit uh, we are moving closer to fulfilling all 34 recommendations of that audit. Uh, there's a few things that are, uh, pendent on other things to be
004completed in order for us to have a final, you know, review of those uh 34 recommendations um, for the audit, but feel very confident that we're moving um, very close to completion of a lot of those. Uh, we have the two state technical assistance team that are working and aligning every single one of them and making sure that we fill those. Some of those items will take policy revisions, uh, and we will be bringing those policies to the policy committee, uh, in the next couple of weeks to, uh, consider revisions in order to, um, meet the need and the requirements of those audits. So, at this time I'm going to turn it over to Nestor. Uh he's going to walk you through uh some of the um updates that we have uh for the committee.
005And I Oh, sure. Good evening, everyone. Um I think I will start with the latest set of updates. I don't know if most of you have received or saw the town run, the current town run the past legislation by the legislator distributing funds to different municipalities. In a nutshell, what we have, Bridgeport's run or Bridgeport's share is 25.1 Approximately 25.1 million dollars. It's 25 million 388,685 dollars. So, just for easy remembrance, it's 25.1 million. All of that 25.1 million is broken into two tiers. One part of money is 15 million dollars, which they call supplemental education supplemental education from the state. Now, I'll tell you to the extent I understand, that supplemental aid is going to pass through uh just the way ECS passes through the city. However, it's not permanently baked in or called
006permanent ECS increase next year. Their intention, from what I understand, is a way of trying to fix the ECS formula or increase the ECS formula, but they're doing it sooner than a year sooner than what they would have done last year. So, they're basically bringing up the 15 million dollars because of the cries of the town of, you know, having financial difficulty. They're bringing it sooner than they would have or they would they intended to. So, that 15 million is kind of a pass-through, but it's not baked in the legislature as a permanent increase to ECS. My understanding is next year when they're doing the state budget, they would try to carve it or permanently call it ECS increase. I cannot guarantee you that, but that's what I'm told is the legislature their intent. That's
007to the extent I know. If anybody knows more than that, please tell me. There's another part of money out of that 25.4 million, $10 million. So, besides the state supplemental aid, that's called supplemental town aid. It's the money is coming from the Mohegan Sun. The Mashantucket Mash Mohegan. Excuse me. The Mohegan Sun's gambling money. >> [laughter] >> I'm sorry. I can't I can't pronounce Mashantucket. Mashantucket people. Mashantucket. It's not that It's not that simple. It's Mashantucket. Oh, okay. Mashantucket people, money, please. Um so, that $10 million or $10.3 again, to my understanding, is a one-time revenue source for next year. Meaning it's non-recurring in 2028, fiscal year 2028. So, out the gate in 2028, we have to find that $10.3 million. In next year's budget, that's for beginners. Again, that's a starting point. So, that's
008the breakdown of the $25.4 million. Again, both parts of money, the 15 million from the state, and the 10 million 10.3 for the Mashantucket money, both of them are not permanently marked as recurring money. It's something the the the legislature will have to finally call it what they want to call it, permanently ECS when they do next year's budget, the 2020 budget. Um Joe Joe, do you know anything I mean this is to the extent at all? What about What about the city contribution to you? Well, but the In addition, the city We all know the city has committed committed $5 million. for next towards next year. So, the combination of the city money and the $25 million is about $30.4 million in total. In revenues, additional revenues to offset the shortfall. But again, if
009you remember, we started with $44 million shortfall. So, we go down the line after the revenue is basically we're going to get $529,000 for in-district excess cost reimbursement. When the city never The district never I'm sorry, the district never exercised that option before. So, we're exercising it. If you combine $5 million from the city, $529,000 we're going to get for excess cost reimbursement that we'll be filing, $15 million from supplemental education aid from the state, and $10.3 million uh uh supplemental aid, which is the kick Marshall money, the work money. You're looking at 30.9 million. Call it $31 million in revenue. So, in addition to that, the we made some management moves and took some management actions of different things, uh reviewing personally reviewing bus route efficiency, uh graduating a graduating 12th grade students who
010are out of district. We try to contain or retain students in district instead of out of district, realizing that we will do a much better program in district, which we're trying to develop. Then you have out of district special transportation. We're going to scrutinize out of district transportation, see who is eligible, see if buses can be combined in order to attain operational efficiency. All those actions would would generate $5.4 million. So, we We redesigned which actually not be substitute teachers. That's going to generate $1.1 million. We're going to decrease professional learning. That is going to generate $500,000. Then the CMMRS percentage increase. The state increasing employer percentage increase towards the pension. For regular employees, that's for teachers. That increase alone is going to cost the district almost $500,000. So, it kind of reduces the savings.
011Then special program contract review. We are going to review all special education contracts without outside agencies providing the services. We're estimating that we're going to attain a savings of about $750,000. Then we finally we can mention the final health insurance increase next year is $12.5 million. It It It It It started from 20%. Came down to 14.5. Now, the the effective increase for July 1 is $12.5 million increase over current year's rate. So, we're taking the savings of that reduction. As you see here highlighted, $900,000 for regular auto bid. and 247,000 for grant employees. So, those total cost cost-saving measures total 8.4 million. If you add 8.4 million dollars plus the 30 31 million dollars we are getting revenues, that's 39.5 million dollars that we can apply towards the closing of the 44 million dollars
012budget gap. If we do that, take 39.3 million dollars out of the 44 million dollars, superintendent recommended gap or deficit, whatever you want to call it, you're going to have a remaining shortfall of 4.7 million dollars gap to be closed. Now, yes, we're going to have a 4.7 million dollars gap, but another issue here, if you recall the principal, we had a meeting with the principal per the state of Connecticut department of education recommendation, we met with the principal, they they indicated what they needed to run the school effectively. And that was 8 million dollars. So, in talking to the board, if you want to give the principals what they really need to run the school, you're going to have to add that 8 million dollars that we have cut out earlier back into the
0134.7 million. That will be the revised shortfall of 12. 12.7 million dollars. Again, it's all on the table, then there's possible additional possible tier three closing gap closing measures. Which is depends what the board wants to do. If you want to give the principals what they asked in the total of 8 million dollars or to some degree, one of the ways you can attain it is you know, reducing the kindergarten paraprofessionals, which will save you 1.3 million. Increase extending the walking distance which will save you 1.7 million. Consider school Consider closing two schools. That will save you another 1.8 million. It's up to the board. Up to the staff there. Even if you do all of that, all this third option, tier three option, you're still going to have 7.8 million dollar gap. Any questions?
014Mr. Harris, let me let me just kind of add to what Mr. I I want the board to understand that we are doing a lot of internal work with with the two state technical assistance teams to really scrutinize at the current budget to have more reductions. Uh and so we're doing those things behind the scenes so that we know how to adjust when we get final numbers after tonight. Uh and so I want the board to understand that we're we're willing and ready to be able bring additional things to the board, but I think it's I want to be prudent to the work that we've done internally, the work that we've done with principals, the work that we've done with state two state technical assistance team to really scrutinize the dollars because if we if
015we don't you know, optimize what we're doing in the district and change the way we do it, then we're never going to be on track to do the right thing every single time. We set up processes and procedures in our district to look at, you know, how do we um you know, look at staffing? You know, how do we forecast staffing? How do we look at automating the things that we do within the district with our newest programs, with the power school programs? Uh so that we are better stewards of taxpayers' dollars. That is the key point of, you know, efficiencies. And and I do I do have to kind of commend the state technical assistance team because they've been honest internally to do the work. It may not seem like we're doing the work,
016but we're doing the work. We're being scrutinized day-to-day on making sure that we're the process and procedures that I take with my leadership team and the departments and within our districts, with the principals, with the clericals, that we we we set up systems to be able to check our work and check what we're doing. And that's what good, you know, efficient systems do. And so, we're well on our way. We have a lot to learn and a lot to, you know, to grow. That's where your policies come in. When you start revising your 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 9,000 policies, we have to take those to help do the work. So, that's why it's so critical that all these things. And that's why the commissioner is really on the board to get your policies together because that
017helps us to do our internal work. And so, it's it's a massive undertaking. And so, please bear with us. Please understand that we're we're doing you know, step-by-step. And I think it's it's been eye-opening for all of us because there's things that we, including myself, that, you know, 2 years ago when I came to the district, I was like, "Well, what's going on?" Now it it's you Now it's before us and the work is being guided by the state. I think we're in a good place and we're building upon things that we were not doing. And I can tell and and I can I feel comfortable as the interim leader of the district that we're well on our way to really have good systems, protocols, and we're doing manuals and producing those things. So, when
018someone leaves the district, they can pick up the manual for for HR, for finance, for purchasing, and they can know how the district is supposed to function. And that's the way we have to do this business. And so, moving forward, that's the the important piece. I want to make sure that not only the board, but the community understands that we're getting we're going to we're becoming a better organized system to do the work for children in this district. And so, that's that's the goal. And I'm going to keep that goal at the front of what we do. So, I'm going to show we'll take any questions if you have any that you want to >> [clears throat] >> So, I know through those efficiencies you're speaking about, Dr. Avery, there was a potential projected savings
019of $6 million. Is that also considered in this? And the reason why I'm asking is because I would truly prefer to give the principals what they need. I think it shows that as leaders, we care about what they're what they're saying. And it's it's almost like it hides hides it in the water. Basically, showing them we're listening to what you're saying. So, in my perspective, at least, we should be aiming to get an additional $12.7 million somehow to get them what they need at each school. If I may minute here. The $6 million that we're talking about, if you look at item number 13, we're we're truncating 5.5 million. That is part of the $6 million that we're talking about. So, what what we're already doing is that we have six factors. At least that
020theory of two about 50 around review in-district special transportation, review out-of-district special transportation, and I'm glad you included that. So, those are the efficiencies that we're talking about. And those potential savings have been identified by the into play in this gap. So, otherwise it would have been more than that. Yes. And And I think the other part of that is is that we're still in the process of working through that a lot of the transportation costs have not been really calculated yet. So, you don't see that there. So, there's some other things that I'm hoping to bring to make sure that we're right at that once that 12 million. There's some additional legislative things that have been brought to me, but I can't I can't count on those yet. You know, there's a there's supposed
021to be some some municipal accountability board, you know, money that the district as long as the district signs up to be a member, we can ask for that 12 million dollars just from that funding source. Uh, but there's in legislation, like Mr. Sakolsky said earlier, everything is so vague. So, you can't really interpret what it really truly means until it's written down and finalized. And then we can scrutinize how we doing what we need to do. So, I'm confident that there is a way that we're going to be able to work through it, but again, I don't know until again after tonight when everything is finalized, then we can start asking those questions and working through it that way. Thank you. And my next question is about the 5 million dollars we were supposed to
022have gotten last year and then this year for a total of 10 million dollars that would be very helpful in bridging this gap of 12.7 million dollars. Absolutely. And no, and we have no knowledge of where that money is. Uh, I've got I I have a request through the deputy commissioner for him to find out what we need to do our next steps. I've already met with the mayor's office. We've already submitted all the documentation that we're supposed to be submitting, but have heard nothing from where we stand to getting the that cuz remember it's $5 million last year and $5 million $5 million this year. $10 million total. Right. But but but but then the commissioner said that he was going to follow up with me. I'll just have to you know, that's that's
023the only line I can ask, where are we with those funds that's supposed to be allocated? They publicly put it out there that we were going to be able to do that. Both the both the delegation and the state. But that money had just disappeared. And that's And that's the caution that I'm having now with this additional, you know, money that was supposed to be allocated on being able to to these these distressed districts would be able to apply for and get. I don't know that yet and I can't bet on that right now. So, we're still doing internal review in order to to get closer to that $12 million savings. And so, I feel very confident that we can at least get a couple of more million dollars out of the the exercises that
024we're doing internally to meet that that gap as well. This first sentence Do you have any questions? No, ma'am. My question um for those settlement total need is 10.3. Yep. Um is there a commitment that that went to the the schools? No public commitment on that. Okay. And who's here? I've I've had the city saying that if the money comes in, they're going to pass it directly through to the board of Ed. Well, yeah. You know, and that was that was stated to me in uh several different meetings. And so, uh when you see it because this is actually again it's written so that 10 that 10 million dollars is going to be a pass through to the district and and they said that they were not going to touch it they were going to
025pass it on right on to the additional rate. Yeah. So that's that 25 million dollar commitment that's already put out there. I already put it out there. Yeah. If I may clarify when I when you said next year honestly my brain is running in 2028. Yeah. That's why I I said no. Okay. But 2027 yes. They're going to come as a pass through through the city of Bridgeport and they're going to channel it to us. So when you said next year I said no. There's no commitment for 2028. It's only a matter of Yeah. Sure. So it's following up on that. So seeing that it's 10 million is that or is that's I know that's state aid. Yes. Is the city going to say, well, we got 10 extra million from the state to pass
026through? So we're not going to No, no, no, no. Like are they still committed to give the 5 million each year? Yes. At minimum? Yes. Okay. Yes. And that's my understanding as well, Madam Chair. We had a We We've had We've had several conversations with them about that. Mhm. Uh because we were we were like, wait a minute. No, you can't just pass through and not give us what you say you're going to give us. I still you know, but but I'm very hopeful guys that the city is going to They're They They are looking for additional funds for us on top of the pass through 10 and on top of the five that have already been committed by the mayor. They are very committed of trying to figure out what they can do for
027the district and and and and if they if they can stand up for the children of Bridgeport like they say they are, uh it would be a huge win for this city uh and their support of this district. Uh and and that's a win-win for us guys. Uh and and that will also add to taking away from that $12 million. So, that's the hope right there as well. So, again, I feel good about it. God, we we've done a really good relationship building with them. We're talking with the city council. We're we're working with the the council president, um the city, the mayor's office, and they're listening, and I'm thinking that's the that's the key point here. Uh and um and standing together for what we feel is important, uh and that's the children of
028this city. Uh and I keep putting that in the front of them and say, "Hey." And I think that's where I feel I'm hopeful that we're going to get some additional dollars to because I think the the principals have worked very hard, and they they told us what their needs are. And so, we need to really try to make sure as a as a district, uh supporting the leaders, and that $8 million will really support them in a way that would be meaningful. My final question is just is the supplemental mental education aid um specifically for Bridgeport public schools dollars only? Only. >> Yes. Yes. And I don't know what the other cities Well, the other cities' amounts aren't listed. Oh, no, no, no, no charger. No, no, no, no. Bridgeport public schools. Technically, it
029is because we pay for all the charter school transportation. I know. I'm talking about just in Yeah, but it it it it goes directly to us. 100% to us, and then we work through it that way. Mr. [clears throat] Ganim, yeah. I'm just going to add a couple of my thoughts on this. Folks, first I got a question for uh Avery and and Paul. Um no doubt questioning how hard work you're doing and making efficiencies and all that. But let's say we had these efficiencies in place since 2013. Would we be able to avoid the major cuts we've had over those years I would say it just stopped. I mean, uh you know, so so so it's it would not materially affect the position we are today due to the underfunding of our team. Although
030we should Although we should be spending our money wisely, the bottom line is we do not have enough and Well, I I disagree with and you know, personally disagree with what Mr. said. But But guys, when you have a system that is efficiently, you know, well-equipped to do and and deal with all types of different things, you could you could you could save a lot. You know what I'm saying? So, I wouldn't just blankly say we couldn't have done we wouldn't have been here where we are right now. I can't say that. I wasn't here, you know, so but but I I've worked in systems that were way off way further off point dollar-wise and financially than Bridgeport was. And we did it. We worked through it and we, you know, we improved upon the
031system within the district and it works really, really well. So, I'm optimistic to say yeah, we could have done a lot better and we may not been as deep as we are right now. But I think Cuz Cuz here's the deal. Once we set this whole system up again for efficiencies, you should not be in in in a state even when you come to a deficit in your budget as a district. You know, so that's the way well-oiled machines work. All right. So, basically you guys found basically $6 million in inefficiencies, which you're basically telling me would materially affect $106 million. We would need to bring us back to the levels we are. That That's not a material That's not a material That's not a material impact. I mean, it's an impact. You're doing the
032work. Yes. But to say that we could be doing much, much better when we're looking at a state that's inherently basically has a weighted funding formula where greater is getting close to 8,000 more per student and to say we should be able to achieve that and that it's even possible to achieve that is really disturbing mindset because we need more there's no we cannot cut our way we cannot efficiency efficiency No amount of efficiencies talking in my opinion you might have a different opinion you know what I'm talking about speaking of but there's no way we could budget our way out of this cuts through efficiencies through using pencils down to the nub striking leaves of paper there's no amount of efficiencies in the world that will make up for that $106 million of cuts
033over the years But but but the way you phrase your question though is why I was responding to what the way I was responding because look at how funding has happened over the last 20 years there's a lot of that impact there but it's also a lot of impact when when people don't do their business in an organization you know it's the organizational issue too >> Absolutely That's the way I look at things Even even if it's a state It's $100 million if you got a basketball on two Yeah I'm going to bring I'm going to bring it up to tie up on this too But we can't I I I'm going to I would like to move on to the Okay back to the Mr. On call we discussed we discussed the MVR not
034the MVR I'm sorry the ECS and the impact that that that was the same understanding I had that it's going to be a lot on top and distributed according to the formula. Cuz there's some of the thoughts out there that the the the formula is going up to $13,025 this year, which is not true and which is materially important to us because next year, in order to not be flat funded, the formula has to increase to over $13,025 to receive one extra dollar. If we keep the same amount of pupils and the same poverty levels that we have in the city of Bridgeport. So, next year we are starting with the $10 million that you mentioned for the stabilization grant. What's the eight? Plus whatever escalated cost were, which are estimated to be about About
03515 million. About 15 million. So, again, fiscal year will start off $25 million in need if everything remains the same. Yep. Assuming the first one. Looking to close the gap of the 12 gap of the 12.7. And if you decide to have any but fortunately Right. And and and that leads me into my next point on maybe this extra money when it hits some of the laws in the restroom, but uh this cost savings of $5.4 million and 111.131 of [clears throat] uh special aids and those are in the redesign of substitute teachers background. Those those are estimates that can be thrown off. Well, what are the estimates? Those are estimates that can be thrown off. They're not guaranteed locked They're not guaranteed locked in. They might be more reliable to some extent, but they
036can be off by a couple million or or or in or in the worst or in the worst case scenario, we can get four or five additional special education students with some really severely high needs and wipe out that whole thing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, I just I just all right. Point is that that could go up or down. So, so Sure. I think that's a very important fact that has to be on the table. And that's what we do when we when we do budgets anyway, right? It's you you you put it out there, but you don't really know cuz then we could once we get finalized our efficiency, we may gain we could gain 2 million, 3 million, 4 million on top of that and we're good to go. But we won't
037know until it's all said and done. You know, yeah, I think. So, so so now that so many in the worst case scenario those numbers don't hurt. Hold the line where you got the revised surplus deficit after tier three would be about approximately 14.1. Worst worst case scenario that none of those savings will actually worst case scenario will probably be even even more expensive than anticipated for the cuts. Great. Two million change I made. This is what I had mentioned earlier. A budget this big of this of this magnitude without a continuous support Yes. >> We have nothing. Not fully. I'm sorry. It's not financially fully. Right. And and uh then we have the tax stabilization fund and as well as speak to that for a minute. Uh uh I'm glad the state is passing
038it through. But the good good some some cities are not passing it through. To be clear and they're legally allowed to do that, unfortunately. No. Because some some of these districts are are suffering just like us, but the mayor and the city council recognized that this is a dire need and I'm glad they are in agreement to pass it through because any other option would be re- really put put it at the lowest per pupil expenditure in the state to do anything else with that money would be I get the same thing every single time. I got to move on from here. We already had a meeting with these guys. I'm so glad they passed We already had a meeting with the city. Is there a commitment on their part? Yes. And I've gotten this
039I've gotten this Is there a solid commitment on their part to have that 10.3 million through two water main projects? Right. And to keep looking for more money. And and I've I've gotten some assurances that they're still doing that is one. Clear. I just want to know that that that relationship even my relationship as toxic as I can be has improved with the city council because I see all the stuff I've been talking about for years has come to light. Yes. So I I think we're in a lot better shape but I don't I don't think in any way, shape, or form we are in any shape to stop. No, we're not out of the Stop panicking, stop pushing, and stop bringing up the magnitude of that potential of 14 million dollars because that's going
040to come into the next budget cycle. I don't know at least it's our fate. Uh two municipalities may just for clarity on the mark, municipal accountability review board. Instead of the pot of money on the list six out of the pot of money for distressed municipalities that are in financial distress. One of them, of course, Hartford. Bridgeport. Waterbury. And some other towns. But they have to prove that you are in need of that money. So we Again, you have to jump. You all district or your town have to sign up. And prove that you're in need of that money. However, there's a price to it. The entire state financial review board That I said I'll be in your business. They see that have we have we this bridge have to be reporting to them. Sometimes
041the restrict You got to get clearance for her. I feel the position. It's something I've lived through on the city's time for 10 years. We just step on that show with you. Not pretty, but if you want money you have to do it. And you remind me of a final question. I have final question. Let me have a quick sign for you to ask. And and I thought um just to kind of clarify we're used to we have we have six people in our in in our business right now. So I'm okay with the review board. They can put all the restrictions they want. We're going to be able to work through that guys. You know, it's been almost a year a year and a half with with that oversight. So it's okay. As long
042as they give us the money for the children, I'm good with it. You know, but again, there we don't know what those restrictions are going to be. They haven't even they don't even know yet cuz they're making up the rules as we go. Right? So we just have to be very open-minded to that. We're not going to be the only district that's about applying for that pile of money. So it's important we work together. That's my clarity for that. I have a question. Ask question. Yeah, you just asked it. >> [laughter] >> Uh all right, as far as far as far as the money pile of money I have not been able to find it in the budget bill. The only money I see mentioned is $3 million for the commissioner to what you call
043it? To fund To start the program. >> To start the program and and to administer the program. That's the only money I see. There's not any dollars earmarked within the budget. The pile of money right now is just conceptual unless they pass something tonight. And then I don't know how to come back into session and approve a pile of money after before 2028 in the next session unless they have an emergency session of some sort to create that autonomy. So, if that pile of money does not exist before tonight is over, that pile of money remains theoretical and the risk becomes applying for this a review board, having restrictions placed on us, and no guaranteed money. We've already been guaranteed by the state of Connecticut basically the $5 million I'm not too sure about 10
044million dollars. These are not These are back and forth. All right. So, we haven't seen the $5 million in either year, way, shape, or form. And that was written into statute for following and jumping through certain hoops created by the state with the Was it the Mar? Was it the finance What was the name the guys that were financial accounting? Some something where we had to do the presentation. And we did that presentation. >> [clears throat] >> And we did everything on our side. And that $5 million and $5 million, whatever it is, has not come to fruition and that money is written into the bill. And we, as a board, and as a district, and as management, have done what we're supposed to do. Yet, we still had to get rid of every single
045librarian and tap into our savings even more than we would have had to. We would have had more of a cushion for this year before the state of Connecticut withholding that money after it was promised in legislation. So, I want to caution us when we go forward looking at any kind of state additional state intervention or help and to realize the money may not come. And to also realize that this is an election year for the governor and that's why all of this pressure is coming to bear. That's why everything is happening. And that pressure is not going to be there there next year. And to assume they're going to behave in a similar manner manner next year as they are acting this year would be a disservice. Beautiful. That's fine. Thank you, ma'am. Thank
046you, ma'am. Um just as we here talking about this, I just want to make sure I got my numbers right. What's right now presently in the internal state aid fund, the IFF? The internal state aid fund will be completely and totally paid by the end of this fiscal year. So, the number is zero after this year. I'll still his point a little bit. I just want to make sure we get that. I want to ask a specific question. Um with everything that Mr. Saccone just said and let me just bring some recollection. So, since we done everything that we did, so who do we hold accountable to not have those doors that we can do or help out to knock on the doors? Say we did everything in our part, where's the funds that were
047promised to us under those guidelines and instructions? What funds? What What government funds are we talking about? Yes. 5 million. We talked to everyone. I've communicated with the commissioner to see exactly if they can help us figure out where those funds are and when we were going to be receiving that. So, he has not responded back to me yet. I meet with him again on Friday. So, I'll be asking that question again, do we have an update for me prior to the state Board of Education meeting on the 13th, next Wednesday? And hopefully I have a response back before then. What day was that? 16th? 13th? 13th. Wednesday. And I believe you do have it, but I just ask anyways. Do you have those documents or the guidelines that they It was the statute that
048was already done for that money that was >> not have that. No, because it was all it was all done publicly and there was news conferences or press releases that they said that we were getting that those dollars, 5 million for 2025-26 and 26-27 an additional 5 million for a total of 10 million that we have not received any of that money yet. I'll find a few again and we need we need to go back and go with that. Appreciate it. I'm good everybody can have some great questions and feedback so thank you madam. Mr. Mayor. Thank you madam. I don't know what kind of I can say about the way as you said earlier and you're working hard and you receive everything and I know for the little short time and we almost ready
049and we just really happy to see somebody like you working so hard to make the school and have the money and not just have you know people that they just you understand doing amazing job and I'm I'm not going to be I would people they won't like it but I'm going to be kind to say thank you. Thank you you understand you know to for the short time you doing amazing phenomenal job. Thank you madam. Mr. Traynor. Thank you madam chair. Um first off I'd like to say that I would be there but I didn't know we were going to be allowed to speak. Um >> Okay. Well So >> Did you ask your question? Yeah, no I will. I just wanted to make that clear that I decided I would just watch online because
050of what we've been doing. Um so let me just uh um start by saying that um the we we've only today clarified uh that the bill had to be changed a bill had to be changed to make it clear that the Pequot money or the 10.3 million is going to be uh uh, safe from MBR restrictions. Um, and that was, uh, done because Monday night Tom Goddet and Steve Sastrum and I discussed uh, a flaw or shortcoming in what originally had been passed over the weekend. Um, so the MBR, uh, uh, will not apply to the 10.3. Um, I also in the discussions I had Monday night with council people, uh, got a clear sense that there is a strong, uh, understanding of the importance of the city council and, uh, number of members of
051the council as well as the mayor's office about going beyond the 5 million the mayor originally proposed. So, I think we may want to do some more work over the next week. I had originally heard that Monday night they were going to vote on the budget, um, the 11th. Um, though I just heard in the last 20 12 hours that Monday's meeting may not be Monday. Uh, so we need to find out when they are going to vote on it. Um, Mr. Medina, I don't know if you've heard anything on being the spouse of somebody on the council about Monday's meeting, um, but I haven't had a chance since I heard that to chase down when they may be voting on it. Um, their next regular meeting would be the 8th 19th. Um, but I,
052you know, so we need to find out when they're going to vote on it. Uh, I heard it wasn't going to be Monday because of the political conventions occurring Monday. Um, uh, so anyway, um, we need to do our work and talk to council people to see if we can encourage them to vote for the highest amount number of dollars that we can get out of them. Um, and that ideally would be the 10 million dollars that we've been pushing, um, which would be the equivalent of uh, the 5 million that America gave us in 2000 um in today's dollars. Um and so if we can get that out of them, then we would be up to the 35 million uh 35.3 million. Um and then we would be 9 million short of what we
053need. Um and the savings that I heard some of you discussing the money and this and that and all that needs to be taken into account, but then there's the MARB discussion. Uh my understanding of MARB is uh Joe, I heard you mention 3 million you found you saw in their accounts. Um but uh there's also uh the possibility as Joe alluded to of a special session. There's also the probability of not getting any money out of MARB until next spring. Uh whether that could be done in a pre you know early vote before the end of the session next spring or we'd have to wait until next spring session starts. Um and that would be a discussion I assume we would have when we sat down with whoever we need to sit down with
054um this summer I would assume to discuss what the conditions and terms of us agreeing to enter an agreement with MARB would be. Um now again, my understanding of MARB and it's limited, so I don't claim to be an expert on that yet cuz I just haven't had the time to go there uh is that that would be OPM. Um and uh the difference is it was lightly told to me is that uh the difference between MARB and the year and a half relationship we've had with the State Department of Ed, which was imposed on us is that our any relationship we have with MARB is voluntary and it would be up to us to vote on it after we sit down and talk with them and choose to or don't choose to enter into
055an agreement with them. Um and uh Marb comes with money. Whereas the State Department of Ed didn't come with any money. Um, and so uh we can discuss that with them and in sitting down with them, I would assume we can discuss with them what happened to our $5 million. So uh as if you recall Joe, the video that the commissioner showed to you was uh the meeting that the city and the superintendent had with the office of public OPM. Um, those bean counters that that meeting that video you were shown Joe uh was a video of uh uh some sort of committee or subcommittee of OPM. Uh that was overseeing that $5 million. Uh uh that money was in the bond bill and the bond bill was controlled by OPM as I understood it.
056Uh I don't why the money was put into the bond bill, I don't know. Um, but it that's where it was gone and as it was presented to us uh it was to require the city to prove that they were worthy of getting the $5 million. Um, and in that meeting the city didn't prove it was worthy. The mayor didn't show up to the meeting. The city's uh he wasn't the CFO but whatever his title was was leaving in two days after that meeting. Um, and uh Flado uh didn't offer many good answers. Um, and they really didn't have a good reasons why the mayor wasn't present. He was supposed to be present. So they didn't give us the $5 million and that was a matter of a few days before the deadline that had
057been imposed on giving us that money. So the whole point of that was to show not that we hadn't warranted getting the $5 million. It was that the city hadn't warranted the $5 million. So the Board of Ed wasn't going to get it. Um and that's the way it was presented to me by legislators in in the session last spring. Uh not this year. Um so uh it seems to me that if we sit down with the uh whoever comes to us from MARB, we might actually have an opportunity to ask what the hell happened to our 5 million from last year. Um uh which may still be available through OPM. Um now um in some other account that's not a you know, immediately visible to you, Joe, when you go digging around to find
058out what kind of money they got. Uh so uh there are there are multiple benefits there, but it's all the great unknown. Um and that's what we'll be looking at. So, our our immediate task, it seems to me, is to work to maximize the money we're going to get from the city. And then we got to sit down. Um MARB, I believe, is uh being extended to uh New Haven, Hartford, Hamden. Uh I hadn't heard Waterbury. Um but uh uh you know, there are numerous towns that they're looking the bill is being changed essentially to allow it to apply to districts as opposed to cities and towns. Um so that would be our next step. Um is to look at whatever savings we can uh implement and to sit down with MARB to see what
059whether that's a relationship we're interested in in entering. Thank you. I think that's where we're at. Um but the first task is to uh to lobby the city for the maximum money we can get out of the city this year. Is there Do you have a date is it? Yes, that date uh Mr. Dubay you have mentioned, I got it directly from uh Madam Chair, City Council Chair. The meeting will be on the 12th. They'll be voting on the city budget on the 12th. Tuesday Okay, thank you, Mr. Miller. >> Mr. Hudson Uh yes, um One One thing I'm I'm not hearing is you know, the you know, the money that we get is not like it's a every year thing, so I'm hoping that the money that we get that we're we we we
060have like a multi-year approach with it. We're not just blowing it all in 1 year. So, we could be back in the same seats next year, 2027. You know, I don't think that'll be a smart thing. You know, if we could show that the state that we're fiscally responsible, that you know, we can spread the money out over a period of years. And not act like this is a every year thing. I think that would be a fiscally more responsible thing. Thank you. Um we're going to move on. So, see Mr. Chair, we're going to move on, okay? Um So, the next item is a discussion No, we're just going to move on that. Discussion of possible referral to the full board a resolution concerning budget insufficiencies. I think there's a presentation from um Mr.
061Zapalac. Good evening, thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to start by reading this and then I'll go to a little bit of background purpose of this Uh before before us we got a resolution that I want to be pushed to the full board. Not at the next meeting cuz we won't have a full clear budget you the until after the 12th, which is the day after our meeting. So, I would like to have a full picture picture before we even look at this as a board. As says, "Whereas Article 8, Section 1 of the Connecticut Constitution provides that there shall always be a free public elementary and secondary schools in the state and places upon the state of Connecticut the ultimate responsibility to ensure an adequate, equitable public education for our students." Whereas local
062boards of education are created by statute as agents of the state and are charged with carrying out this constitutional obligation at the local level, exercising independent professional judgment regarding educational adequacy, equity, and compliance with the law. Whereas we should assert Bridgeport Board of Education has an affirmative duty to provide safe, equitable, and educationally appropriate learning environments, including compliance with all state and federal mandates governing special education, multilingual language learners, transportation, health and safety, and civil rights. Whereas the Bridgeport Board of Education has evaluated the current projected fiscal fiscal condition of the district and determines that the level of funding appropriated is insufficient to meet these obligations without reductions that would material materially impair the educational adequacy and equity. Whereas funding cuts would disproportionately disproportionately harm students with the greatest needs and would undermine the educational
063interests of the state of Connecticut. Whereas while Connecticut law is prohibits boards of education from expending funds in excess of municipal appropriation, it equally requires boards to refrain from actions that knowingly compromise students' rights or statutory and constitutional duties. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Bridgeport Board of Education formally determines the current appropriation to be educational educationally insufficient. Be it further resolved that the board declines to recommend further reductions that would compromise educational adequacy, equity, or compliance with the law. Be it further resolved that the board shall transmit this determination to municipal and state authorities and request immediate corrective action. Be it further resolved that nothing herein is authorized as expenditures in excess of appropriation, but preserves the Board of Education's findings as a matter of public record. Now, this is important because I
064don't think anybody in this room when we go to and look at these next rounds of cuts of so many to 14 million or even assuming the eight eight million that we're looking at but just for for example for starters when we still got eight million dollars left to cut after these are done. By eliminating our paraprofessionals in all kindergarten classrooms. There is no way anybody in this room per se with 24 25 kids, whatever the whatever the limit is for kindergarten that those children receiving an adequate education when the teacher is so distracted by kindergarten kids so many coming to school for the first time those children in my opinion will not be adequately educated under those circumstances. And I think there's an argument that can be made even under our current circumstances that
065some of those kids are not are not being adequately educated due to the shortfalls of our budget crisis. And increasing walking distance and even after those cuts we still got to find eight million dollars more. And and potential can consider school consolidations. I don't like that word consolidation. Consider school closures. Considering Consider eliminating schools without That's this much a year. This is not five years from now when we build a new a new elementary school is finished and have school for them to move in. This is closing the schools and shifting the students to other schools increasing the number of students in our in our schools thereby impacting the educational adequacy of those children who have been off-shifted. I do not believe anybody Any I don't I don't I don't think any professional could say
066that is educational adequate. And if they can, I would like them to look at if their children were entering kindergarten and they did not have a choice of which school and they were randomly assigned to kindergarten would they put their child in these schools under the current current circumstances if we have to make these additional cuts? And I think the answer to that would be a resounding no cuz at this point I would put my own child back in these schools if I was starting all over, I would probably move somewhere else. So I ask the board to consider putting this on uh Monday's agenda. I mean the committee to s- push this to the full board for with some meeting after the whatever the meeting after the 11th cuz this is then we'll have
067the full budget picture. And then we I mean I would love for this not to be necessary, but I would just like the board to consider this. Thank you. I have a question. I I do I have a question about this. I agree with a lot of what you're saying. Is the intent to put this as part of our bylaws? Like where where would we like what is your overall vision? I think this is just a position statement and if if passed we it will empower either the superintendent or the chair however the board wants to handle it to transmit this resolution to the and to the city as our position statement as a we we're telling them in fact that we need more money. If we don't get more money, there's no way we
068can make any cuts. And so that give them one last chance to fund us. Good day educational item to see what goes. It's a It's all I saw. And that also shifts the blame cuz for years I'm I'm probably I'm Yeah, I'm literally the only sitting board member. I'm not sure if Mr. Herrera was in here. Was here last year but we had to actually Oh, well, we all were here last year. Um making these cuts It's not easy. It's not easy looking people in the face and telling them that you don't have a job because we don't have money. And it's not easy looking at these kids and telling them we got to cut these sports programs. We got to cut this program. We got to cut that program. It's not easy, but we
069become the bad guys by default because the funders who caused this never see their responsibility. So, if we don't put it back for them, we're acquiescing that we're willing to take the brunt of that. We're willing to be the bad guys. We'll give them one one last chance to do the right thing before we have to move on to further blue cuts. And as I said, this is no way intends to violate the law and overspend our money. Just for now this is just a note. >> [clears throat] >> Thanks. Um I just want to say you you mentioned we we don't want to make any further harmful cuts, but in my opinion we already did that last year. We did. Agree 100%. That's all. Yes, ma'am. Um I I have the same question. What's
070your intent with this? Um did you answer that? That's fine. Uh Just my notes on it. Um I just think that maybe it needs to be rephrased in a different way. Some of the items. Um I think I don't get that current state of oversight and stuff. Um And I definitely recommend that this goes through council before we pass anything. And um I can't read my handwriting, so give me a minute. Um If if I'm I'm just thinking in the lens of like if I'm looking at this from the state's perspective, they might see it as they need greater oversight. Even though that I don't think that's your intention. Um Because our job as a board is to pass a budget whether it's going to be what we want or if we have to make
071millions of dollars cut, that's kind of our job. And yes, um you know, if we do have you know, the funding that we need, we can avoid that. But at the end of the day you know, that is our responsibility and and the way we frame it when we do make the cut make the cuts and we can frame it as like this is not something we want to do. This is something that we're forced to do. May I respond? Yeah. Um as I said, you you missed the first part of it. We've got two obligations. Not just one law we got to follow. We've got two laws that are I don't know what the other is. Providing education. You don't know what that is? So, we we're basically choosing if we agree that's not
072educational adequacy, we're choosing which law to violate. Are we violating the constitution by making these cuts? Or are we violating Lost my phone. We violating the constitution by making these cuts? Are we violating state statute by not making these cuts? And as you see this does not say we're going to overspend. Our we are not we are prohibited from spending more money. That's the language of the of the statute. Does not say anywhere that you got to recommend cuts that will hurt children. Not to say that we eventually won't have to go back there. This is not saying we're refusing to make cuts. It's not saying we're refusing to do our jobs. It's just saying we need the funding. Mr. Traber. Yeah, I have a question. Yeah, I I'm not sure if this is appropriate
073because you know, the state is basically extending MARB to us and we don't know yet what that entails. So, it seems to me we're putting the cart before the horse. If we were at the end of the line, I understand why you might consider making a resolution like this. But we are at the beginning of I mean, this spring we started something that nobody expected to happen. Which is ECS which wouldn't they wouldn't even discuss last year got discussed way beyond what the governor and and the leadership wanted. And next spring it when the full session when they're going to set a new biennial budget, it is expected by everybody to be the issue that everybody's discussion. So, we have started uh we have forced this to become uh you know, one of the premier
074topics to be dealt with. Um now, we don't know how that's going to be looked at. We know the governor's commission is going to come in with something that we probably won't like, but we know that that's going to be the fight next spring. And in the meanwhile, MARB got put out on the table and we don't know yet whether MARB is something we can work with. Um but Marb has the offer of 10 to 20 million dollars more for us. So, I don't see how we can say that we're at the end of the road. Um when that's still out there. So, until we sit down and hear where we're at and see where we're at, I don't know that this is something that this it seems to me we're we're not there yet.
075Yes. Yes, um June 30th. We are talking about June 30th, this budget got to be done. We're talking about sitting down and exploring Marb in What is something We must have a balanced budget by law June 30th. Cannot These cuts, these schools won't close. We propose to close if we don't have that money on June 30th. These kindergarten parents will be gone on June 30th. Unless all these conversations are going to happen before June 30th. This 5th kingdom now. But we are going to have a conversation the the whole month of June is about And and what will and what will this do? We'll send this off and say this is your budget. This one this does not say we're not going to do it. This sixth says Can I ma'am It says the board
076declines to recommend further reductions that would compromise education adequacy, equity, compliance with the law. To me that's saying I'm going to comply with the law. You're that you're going to Yeah, you're going to comply with the first law, but at the end of the day we have to balance our budget. The Constitution is not a law. Constitution is a different thing which is uh 10 to 15 years of litigation to see whether you're you're you're correct in your argument about what it says. But then if anybody thinks these conversations will alarm them without even the existing pot of money, anybody can find in the final budget document. I mean, that's that's why I put them off to the next one cuz we'll know the budget. We'll know the budget, we'll know where we sit. All
077the angle beat right. If there's no money in the budget, we're going to have to have we're going to have to go work on hopes and dreams, which we should not be doing. I mean, we hope that they'll find money for us. Um and that's just just I mean, we Again, I think it's just there's other ways you can go about it as well rather than doing this where it's just saying what you're saying decline to recommend further reductions. We we're going to have to make recommend reductions if if we don't get the money, right? So, we put this out there, it's almost like So, uh come June 30th, if we didn't get the additional funds, where are we not going to make further reductions? As you we've been in the We'd have to we'd
078have to make a decision by then or just accept Well, maybe it's Tell them a little more. Tell them what they're going to cut. You just You decide what to take from the children. Put >> So, you're going to take state? Put it on a state Let them Let them say So, let the king of power of pressure Let the Let the state do your job. Well, if we're afraid to do We're afraid to do this? We put the state in this one thing. What thing? What thing? No, no, I'm just I'm just calculating that if we're afraid to do this because of the power of the state of New York, then we're not even doing our jobs. We already seated power. Mr. Chair. >> I think this is it takes away from the collaboration
079that we started at the end. My point is In my my opinion on it is driven by the need for the oversight. The need to do something like this in in before prematurely. Just to Medina. Well, to the point of the chair Mr. Traver, um Mr. Medina, you're waiting. Mr. Medina Mr. Medina is waiting. Well, she she gave me the floor. I'm sorry. Guys, I'm I got an answer from Mr. Mr. Sakalaukas, but I didn't get finished making my point. Which is that this to me based on his answer is very premature. We should get to the point where we know what we know first before we make a decision on how to respond. And this is making a response that is premature in my opinion. So, there's nothing he said that changes my opinion
080that this is premature. Mr. Medina >> Now, yeah, to the point to I'm sorry. Go ahead. Thank you. Um to the point that we all heard here, just want to make sure you got the point Mr. Traver that, you know, this is for us to be reading now. This is not going to be put off forward until after everything is done. He has said it not once, but twice that this is something that is going to be done after everything is included. He's asking for this, and we have an opportunity as board member to read this now, make some changes or edits if we would like and recommendations to him for us to come together to agree or disagree, but at no point in time did he say did he ever said that this is
081moving forward right now. On the contrary, he said after, which will be running into May 26th, which is our next board meeting, which will be past the budget. And this is understood by this room right now that I'm I understanding, but I just want to make sure it's clear to you at no point in time. And I think Madam Chair mentioned some, you know, changes that she would like to maybe consider or not, but I just can't have you guys, any of you, read a paragraph and only read one part of it and forget the rest of it. So, when we read this, please have it open in mind, make some suggestions in my opinion, and let's come back together as a board to find out what we want to do. I understand the point
082of this letter or this statement or this resolution to make sure they understand that they're putting us in a in a position that we're going to be making cuts that are going to affect the education standard of every campus around the district, and we're tired of being tired of having to do this. And we want to put them on notice saying that we're going to basically saying, in a sense, is that we're not going to stand around and let you continue to force us to do this, and then our constituents are looking at us that we're not doing our job, but our job is being governed by the state as far as I'm concerned. That's why I'm willing and able to forward to the state and let them know that, hey, we want to do
083this job that you are requiring us by law to do. Help us fulfill our responsibilities because, if not, then we're going to ask you guys, how do we cut you know, $12 million or $14 million right now? We don't have a deficit. We have a gap. And I'm I get offended by that word deficit that everybody's saying it, and I'll put it out there because it's not a deficit. We're looking at a gap that we're trying to fill. Once we pass this budget, then we won't might be, but we can't pass a budget that we don't have the funds to take care of that budget. That's our responsibility, pass a balanced budget. We have zero in internal savings fund that puts us in a in danger of a lot of things, and we haven't been
084speaking about this neither. So, I just want to make sure you understand that he didn't never said to push this forward now, but to have this in mind, giving us all an opportunity to discuss, giving that Avery to come back with feedback if he needs to and his staff, and figure out if we want to maybe go this route or not. But that is us as a team. But he never said this is going forward before we find out the thing because it would be very imprudent of us. Thank you. Mr. Traynor. And I just want to be clear that I never said that we go forward until we find out. What I said was that we go forward once we've had a chance to have the full facts in front of us. And that
085means that we know what MARB means to us in practical terms. Um, Mr. Sikalas has done some research. I've heard some things. None of it is real until we sit down with them and hear what the reality is. And we see what the budget is. And you just used a number which is contingent on the reality of not knowing what the council's going to do. We'll know what the council's going to do. And then we'll sit down and see what the reality of our current situation is of what we can save and not save. And we'll get a a report from the superintendent, Mr. Nuquo. And so somewhere around the you know, end of May, beginning of June, when we can sit down with with somebody from MARB, we'll get a report from them as
086to what the reality is, what they have, whether they'll give us our 5 million, all that stuff. We'll get all that answered and then we'll know what the real situation is of our budget. Then we can think what our options are. Thank you, Madam Chair. This is Mr. Merlino. Just some um, quick question. So this whole MARB situation is being brought up realistically. When can we meet with them so that we can really figure out the the facts or the impacts on us. Patrick. Thank you. I'm not 100% sure if we can even meet with them because they are a state board and so you would have to get on the agenda and kind of work through it that way, but I think there may be an opportunity to have some informal conversations with them,
087you know, either myself or with the help of the city to find the person that leads that that board and have a side conversation from that perspective. So, I think I'm open to pursuing some of those those opportunities, but until everything is clear, I think I will be able to get some some clarity from where I need to get it from. Again, school districts don't really interact with that board, but they're opening up with this legislative session so that we can interact with them because this is all new. So, it's a it's an untraveled pathway that that we're moving right now, but cautiously we have to be able to truly understand the magnitude of what this board is would do or not do for us, but I think they want to hear from us, too,
088to see what has gotten you in this predicament and what can we do from a state perspective and municipality perspective to to to eliminate these issues moving forward because remember one of the things that the initial 5 million 10 million dollar you know gift to this district was really trying to push the city to do more for their children in educational perspectives. And so, that didn't happen, so they just sat back and let things play out or not play out. But I I they've been having they've been having deeper conversations about connecting schools to this board. So, that's why they've opened it up and are willing to have these conversations. And but I think that is another way to stay the state saying, "Okay, how can we fix this in a way that's going to
089be meaningful for everybody?" So, again, we have to be very open-minded to all opportunities to you know, you know, to solidify funding for the district. And this could be a a positive one. Right now, we've had necessarily a negative perspective with them, but we really hadn't had a fluid interaction with them. And I'm trying to be politically correct here, too, but that's where we are. So. I'm going to Put in a motion Mr. Traynor, final question because we want to move on. You know what I mean? Just I just want to urge Dr. Avery to explore having a representative of MARV uh OPM, whoever would be the appropriate individual, um to come down and meet with the board. Um it I don't think it's, you know, good enough for us. I think we have to
090be able to ask questions. Um I think it's got to be the board needs to be able to ask the questions um to be comfortable with the answers. I I just think that we need to ourselves. We need to be able to bounce it around cuz it is so so new to everybody. Um you know, Nestor had had some experiences, as he said, um but it is new and we need to to sort of have somebody come down and just talk with us. Um So, that's all my only comment. Any other questions? I have a motion to move Motion to adjourn. Um all in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Meeting adjourned at 6:03.