001Hi everybody. Let's start there. >> I see I see four, not five. Who's the fifth one? Andre's on. Okay. >> Yep. We're live. All righty. Good evening everybody. This is a uh virtual special meeting of the Bridgeport Board of Education. Um today is April 20th, uh 2026, and it is 6:02 p.m. Um I'm Jennifer Perez, board chair. We have Joseph Calovic. Uh we have Maritza Maritza Echevarria Mendez, Willie Medina, and Andre Woodson. I'm not seeing anybody else just yet, but I'll I'll keep looking out for more board members who join. Um we'll get started with the agenda item. Um there is no one signed up for public comments. And um so we'll move on to the approval to amend the 2026 to 2027 capital plan to add a pool complex at Central High School. Um
002Mr. Garcia, I see you. You want to Good evening everyone. speak to that? All righty. So, um this is once again to amend our current capital plan uh to include uh 2.3 million 2.3 2,328,346 dollars. Um this is a 20% share on a philanthropist donation of roughly 8 to 9 million dollars for a pool complex at the Central High School property. Sam, if you could put up the the PowerPoint. All right. Let's uh go on to the next slide. We'll go quickly through these slides. We modified it. We added the City of Bridgeport Board of Education logo. Um as you can see, it's a sprawling site. Um Sam, uh let's go to three. This gives you a quick overview of the site itself, uh, uh, uh, higher elevation aerial. Um, let's go to four, and
003we can probably stop on five. Let's go over to five. All right, so what I've done is, um, you know, we recommend, uh, version two of this. So, what we have done is we modified it a bit. I was able to speak with the the donor and the architect, um, late Friday. Um, so I got this hot off the press, um, little little before this meeting. Um, what we did was we had discussed, uh, taking the splash pad out of the equation. Uh, pretty much there's a splash pad not too far, about, um, half mile or less from this site. So, there wasn't a need for an additional splash pad. Um, we also asked to add bleachers. So, if you see on the rendition on the lower portion of the eight-lap pool, um, there's bleachers.
004Um, so that's the addition. Uh, the subtraction was the splash pad, addition being the bleachers. Um, so that is the current rendition of what we're proposing for the central site. Uh, any questions? Up until this point. All right, I just want to acknowledge Mr. Traynor has joined the meeting. Um, are there any questions? If you can raise your, um, hand, so I can see better. I did that. I can't find my hand. I'm sorry. Go ahead, you can go first. I don't see your hand. Um, yeah, uh, bleachers are just to display, correct? Uh, bleachers are a common addition to outdoor pools? You're on mute, Mr. Garcia. Being that, um, we like to see some competition, uh, for our youngsters on the site, um, there are outdoor pools with bleachers. So, it's an amenity that
005was added to this site. Um, I forgot to mention that there are two multi-purpose rooms in this uh facility, also. And what would they be? Multi-purpose rooms. Never mind. Never mind. For multi-purposes. Got it. All right. That's That's That's it for now, Mr. Torres. Mr. Medina, I thought I saw your hand. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. Um, George, that black perimeter line, what is it? That's a fence. So, I was on site today. We took some measurements. Um, I do feel that we can keep the softball There may be a potential of us keeping the softball field in place by shifting the um this facility over a bit, um, depending on, you know, how we stage the the facility. I think there's a potential of keeping the softball field. Um, you know, but we've got
006to work the the dimensions and get out there and do some surveying, but um at first glance, it looks like there's a potential of keeping the site. Um, the the softball field on site. But that black line is the fence line that we can draw in closer. And do we have a time frame of what's the possibility of finding out those those uh details about uh keeping and and switching this site, I guess, in a different way that way it fits. Uh, do we have a thought about that or time frame? What What I'm hoping is that you guys give me approval this evening to continue to work. Um, as we as we work through this project to um similar to other um capital projects, I'll bring this back to you as things develop, you
007know, as we start to um solidify the the the site plan and things like that. Um, I'll be bringing this back to you guys for review. Um, but yes, you know, as as I start working through this, we'll start to, you know, dig deeper with the architects and get surveyors on site and all of that stuff to start making those final determinations. Now, I I I can barely see it because even on the copy they gave us, uh that building structure that kind of like where the pool equipment I think that corner says, there's other rooms there. Can you tell us what are the other rooms that are going to be there? There's going to be a mechanical room, so a custodial closet, um electrical closet, um pool pool equipment room, uh two multi-purpose rooms,
008a first aid room, uh lockers, um you know, so all of the ancillary needed components uh to run this facility are in that building. Um but, you know, I think the two multi-purpose rooms serve a great purpose for us to be able to utilize for for small um you know, meetings and um other things. So, it just gives it adds a little flexibility to the site. When are we going to When are we going to get a copy of this new rendition? Um we can get this out to you right after this meeting. It's hot off the press, that's why I didn't have time to get it out to everyone in advance. Okay, yeah, no, because I want to make sure you knew that it if it was uh said we don't have it cuz
009I try I checked the portal and all that stuff and we don't have this one yet. That's why I was trying to get it printed out where I could see those rooms. I wasn't sure we never talked about it in the last meeting about locker rooms, like you said, the first aid room or anything like that. Um the week Sam, can you go to page six? So, this is the um space plans for for the building. Uh so, there'll be like a ticket or entry booth, um bathroom showers, the lifeguard room, the first aid room, a concession, um multi-purpose rooms, there's going to be two of those. Um you have the electrical closets, the pool mechanical rooms, um the pool storage area, the building mechanicals, and then the custodial closet. So, that's your, uh, space
010plan for the building. And then you have your zero depth pool for the youngsters, the eight-lane pool, and then bleachers on site. And that is the total package. Thank you. Thank you. That's it right now, ma'am. I I'll actually a small question, cuz I know you mentioned it right away, but I'm wondering how did it come about that I mean, who brought it up? I'm just curious, cuz now the splash pad was taken out. Uh, and I know you mentioned that supposedly there's one in the nearby area. Um, I just don't know how the two would, you know, affect it. I mean, if we can have it there, and the money is there, why not have another one? I I don't know. >> think I think the trade-off is that, you know, we like to
011see competition, bleachers, and the site plan, and the liability of the splash pad. So, we figure make this a little less, um, a little less of a liability in terms of the usage, a little more controlled, and less of a footprint. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't see anyone else with questions. Mr. Traynor, go ahead. Yeah, I I The bleachers are because we're going to use this for interscholastic competitions, correct? Yes, sir. Um, and this would be for all our high schools, correct? For all of our schools potentially is the goal. You know, uh, cycle figuring out, and I leave that to the academic folks on how they cycle that. Um, but you know, I'd love to see this used seven days a week if possible. >> [snorts] >> Um, you know, and and
012really getting our youngsters through. Between this pool and Jeff Catholic, you know, we can have an emphasis on swimming again. And then once we rebuild Blackham, you know, further on into, um, our journey here. Um, we'll we'll make sure that that pool will be up and running also. And and now I want I I I know the question was raised the other night. Um, what's the thinking in having an outdoor pool? That's what the donor That's what he um, you know, that's that's his passion is outdoor pool, bringing nature to swimming. Um, you know, several towns in our area that have outdoor pools, Monroe, Trumbull. Um, so you know, it's it's not uncommon in the area. Um, there is abbreviated year. Um, one of the things that I would look to see is if there
013in the future if we had additional capital funding if this could be enclosed somehow. Um, but you know, once we start to dig into this if we get approval this evening, we'll start to have all of those um, avenues looked at. And within this, um, this is going to be a heated outdoor pool. Yes. >> the projection for how many months can we use it? Um, that we haven't looked at, um, but I can get those details in terms of usage. But typically [clears throat] May through um, September. Well, I would think earlier than May. Yeah, I mean, for sure. Um, and I would think later than September. Uh, but I'm just throwing it out there, Mr. Trauberg. It's It's April 20th and it's like 30° outside, so I don't know how much You wait,
014you're you're looking you're looking at today. >> Sorry, continue, Mr. Trauberg. You're looking at today versus last week when it was 80°. >> Yeah, no. Um, but you're also thinking about you're in the water when you're swimming in the water, you're then getting up and out and into a a shower um, when you're not competing. I not talking about leisure swimming and sitting and laying in the chaise lounge on the side of the pool. You're talking about competition. Uh and that's a different thing. Uh you know, I get you with the hanging around the outside of the pool and trying to get a few rays, but you know, in terms of competition and swimming laps and getting the teams in shape for competitions, you know, that that sort of thing is is a different use
015of the facility. Um So, that's what I was getting at. Um So, anyway, um that's all I have. Thank you. I want to add that Mr. Daniels has also joined the call. Are there any further questions? Um if I if I'm ready to make a motion, um I got some things I would like to add before we make the motion cuz I don't know when it's going to be appropriate. And I can't raise my hands. I don't understand. Um Yeah, um I got I got I got a few Right. I got I got a few points I would like to make and um I see the city attorney. I thought I saw him earlier. So, He's on. >> I Right. So, if any of these points are disagreeable or contrary to fact or what we're
016going with this, somebody please speak up. I think it's important to get on the record a shared understanding of what's actually happening and what has to happen with this thing since it's it's kind of unique. All right. So, the pool the So, the pool, to be clear, Bridgeport public school students have prior priority access during the instructional day and after school sponsored activities, correct? Correct. Well, okay. And we're approving to amend the capital plan to include aquatic facility required to all approvals, state and city bonding issues or whatever. State doesn't really apply, just the city. Bear with me, I got a little It's just like 10 10 bullets left. Won't be long unless I'm in a something here. Okay, and we're not at this point yet, but before we get there and go down a
017rabbit hole that we may not need to, donor conditions, the accepting of and any private donor funds prohibit donor governance or operational authority and expressly subordinate any donor conditions to the statutory authority of the Board of Education needs and district students. That is correct and it will be written up in all documents. I'm going to use and lease deals. I mean, MOUs more than anything. Mr. Anastasi. Yeah. Can you hear me? Yeah. Okay, couple of quick comments and I don't want to >> [clears throat] >> weigh in definitively as to what the vehicle will be for this, but MOUs are a lot different than a lease, a lot different than a license, and a lot different than a management and operation agreement. People tend to think of MOUs as what they are, a mem- memorandum
018of understanding, which oftentimes precedes a more formal documentation. If we're going to enter into a project of this magnitude with a third party, with the City of Bridgeport, and with the Board of Ed, and taking into account donor contributions, we're not going to do it on the back of an envelope. It's going to be, obviously, a very formalized legal document. And one question I have, and and we can certainly work this out with the with the board and with Mr. Garcia, who obviously is a seasoned professional. We have to [clears throat] know what the business terms are. The first thing that jumps right out to me, and it may not be any kind of a problem, and that is the warm months >> [clears throat] >> Excuse me. are not school months. So, my question
019is, when is the competitive season for swimming for school children? I always I I know nothing about it cuz I'm not a great swimmer, but I tend to suspect it's not in the summer cuz they're not in class, and I I would [clears throat] hope that this is being available by having an outdoor facility, that it's going to serve the needs of the students. So, I assume that's all been looked into, and I'm not trying to put a damper on this because anytime we can get donor funds to assist the students, that's a great thing. The only question is is this something that's viable on an outdoor basis in New England? That's one of the reasons why Disney's in Florida, and not in New England. So, [clears throat] it's not just the weather, it's also
020the calendar for competitive swimming, diving, whatever you're doing in the school year. And I And I guarantee that Mr. Garcia knows the answer to that, and probably can weigh in. Once that's answered, if it's a go ahead, I'm sure we can work out appropriate documentation, but it's going to be very formalized, and it's going to have to be something that um it's not going to be a revenue generator for the Boys & Girls Club. It's going to be here to serve the students of the City of Bridgeport primarily. >> [gasps] >> There can be revenue to cover the operation and management expenses, but property dedicated to school use is not leased out for um um profit to a third party. So, um I think everybody will be well represented in in this process, but I
021really would love to hear that the uh competitive swimming season dovetails with an outdoor facility. I wish I had the answer to that, Mark, but I'm not sure the calendar of the of um athletic swimming. But, what I do know is that we'll be using that we have a lot of programming throughout the whole entire year to include the summer. So, um I could see us using this every month that it's open, pretty much. I I don't doubt that. Recreation in the summer, but I thought the big sale here was we were going to have an eight-lane pool for competitive swimming. If the competitive swimming season is in the winter months, that's not going to service that. And maybe we ought to be looking at something that is indoors. But, anyway, I just raised that
022point, and I'm sure you'll get the proper answers. I I think we can solve that with um the JFK facility. Um once we get up and running, we start doing competitive swimming. We do have an Olympic-size pool at JFK that is indoors that has been completely remodeled to include HVAC, dehumidification, and everything. So, if we need to hold meets in the in the winter, um we do have that facility. That currently isn't being used for that. So. Uh Mr. Anastos, if you don't mind though >> Mr. Kavlik, sorry. Want to go back to you. Yeah, yeah, I Yeah, I know. Uh yeah, but I'm I still got some points that I want to address, Mr. Anastos, if you don't mind, cuz I kind of agree with it. If the competitive swimming does not overlap, will
023we meet enough of a criteria for it to be an educational purpose rather than a community purpose, and will it still be under our bonding authority? That's uh just I'm Look, bonding authority under the board, and does it have to be switched around? Anyway, I just want to make that's something we got to look at. Uh I'm I'm actually looking to get us to move forward and not hamstring us but just with an understand with these understandings that this these things are probably third rails. Uh the third the the third-party operation um any agreement does not subvert the board authority over the pools and scheduling and priorities. The board keeps all statutory rights in the governance of the property. So, do you trouble with that anybody? Uh next, title nine athletic equity. Before removing the
024softball field, we must ensure that it does not affect any title nine issues in the district. For instance, if it's the only softball field we have that females play on or something like that, we've got to ensure we do not take that away from them and put ourselves in jeopardy of a title nine issue. And of course, we got to provide the food. And Finally, nothing in this construction waves or limits the authority of the Board of Education in care and control of our facilities. I just wanted to get all that on record because if any of these same things seem to be in jeopardy, there's probably going to be some big pushback. Thank you. I'm going to go to Mr. Nikolakopoulos, I think he might want to answer a question. Uh yeah, it's your
025man, I'm here. Just for clarification, I mean, it's more of house cleaning before the board starts voting. The capital plan is a five-year capital plan. I just want the board to be clear and precise as to the year of the capital plan you are amending. You are amending 2026-2027. So, when you're voting, you have to specify in the record the year of the capital plan you are amending. Just for the record. And Mr. Uh Mr. Salovic, relative to the board having authority to bond. The board is not the one for bonding. The city of Bridgeport is bonding. >> I'm sorry. The city of Bridgeport is bonding and is backed up by taxpayers anticipated tax payment for the repayment of the debt. Not the board bonding. The city is bonding, placing their asset into use for
026Bridgeport for children. At the end of the day, the asset goes back to the city whenever the board decides to relinquish the use of the property. Just for clarity. Thank you. I just want to add to the attendance record. I saw Ms. Burke-Washington and Mr. Benavides join a while ago, but I want to put on record. Mr. Traynor. Yeah, I the question I guess I wanted to ask is we're not negotiating this contract now. We're simply voting to authorize further exploration of this agreement. Am I correct? Yes. It's similar to all the capital projects that you guys approve. I'm giving me the authority to start to build out and then bring it back to you. Right. And at that point, if it looks like it's worth pursuing, we will begin to explore these more technical
027issues that need to be resolved. Am I correct? Yes, you'll be approved before we move on. Right. And that's when we will need to to to to resolve these details. Um right now we're simply saying, go ahead and look into this. This sounds interesting and sounds worth pursuing. That's the question we're resolving tonight. If I understand correctly. Yep. And then we'll be bringing any license agreements, contracts, MOUs, whatever that vehicle is back to you along with the bidding uh prospects for you to approve before anything gets signed by the superintendent. And then And definitely go through the attorneys first. Absolutely. >> and then the wisdom >> has a pay raise. Excuse me. And then the wisdom of Mr. Anastasi and our council and you know, all that stuff will need to be resolved when the
028swimming season is, who'll be using it. I heard somebody say for instance um during the school day. Well, it it it strikes me as not strictly during the school day that there are other times that we may want to be using this and all that stuff needs to still be resolved and explored, but not tonight. Am I correct? All we need to resolve tonight is that this has this is an interesting opportunity that we think is worth pursuing. Am I correct? You're correct. Thank you. Mr. Anastasi? I just wanted to piggyback on what board member Trebur is saying. I I would not be very upset if my comments came across as being in any way, shape or form opposed to this because I totally agree the legal niceties for the contractual relationships A will require
029approval by the board when they're finalized and those all come down the road. I understand there's a time sensitivity I guess to demonstrate some commitment to the program and to do the capital amendment as a first step. So, there's no harm in acting on that in a timely manner and that will not in any way, shape or form preclude or deny the board from full authority over the contract terms. So, I just want to make sure I didn't mislead anyone in that respect. Thank you. Thank you. All right, seeing no other questions. Mr. Medina, go ahead. Yes, Dr. Avery, this is more, I guess, towards you because I know once this, you know, moves forward if after today and after all this stuff, are you guys also excited and and prepared to take this task
030on to to add this to the, say, the curriculum into the, you know, daily things of elementary and high school because I think both elementary and high school kids will be taking advantage of this swimming pool if I understand correctly. Yeah, to the chair, if you don't mind. Dr. Avery. Uh yes, yes, sir. I think we're we're very excited about the potential of being able to kind of utilize it. I mean, being right here by the sound and not kids not having, you know, lessons and things provided to them on a regular basis, I think it's very important for us. So, again, we're excited about that. So, uh we're in explo- exploration, you know, time period right now, but we'll work out some details on, again, like Dr. you're frozen. there isn't a force through
031their swimming meet in the winter. Can you hear me now? It's just Dr. Avery, I think you froze. All right, we lost him. >> Can you hear me? I have a first. I don't know who I'm hearing. I hear somebody. Yeah, Joe Skalicky, sorry. It's Yeah. I'd like to make a motion to amend the 2026-2027 capital plan to include an aquatics facility at Central High School. Okay, did I >> Second. Second. Second, Mr. Medina. Um Mr. Skalicky, do you have anything further to say before I call Mr. Bennehan? Oh, no. Mr. Benehan? Thank you, Madam Chair. I was just going to ask a question to Mr. Garcia. Mr. Garcia, I know we talked about this last week. Uh the person that's going to do uh the nation, how far he's okay with the he can
032going to keep doing he can okay you know support uh this project? Yes, so I spoke to the donor on Friday. Um worked with the donor and the architect to make the uh minor modifications to the current plan that you guys will be receiving this evening. So we right now we're in good standing and I'll be presenting to the to the city council on Saturday the 25th. All right, thank you, Mr. Garcia. No more question, Madam Chair. Thank you. All right. Seeing no more questions, Ms. Estrada, can you take a vote for uh Mr. Traber? >> for your information Good. Didn't we move to table this item? That's what this meeting is right now. We we brought it back. I I doesn't the maker of the motion need to bring it back? Are we just
033bringing it back because we've tabled it and we're bringing it back? So it's a new it's a new >> We're not undoing the table. No, it's a new it's a new agenda a new meeting. Okay, thank you. Okay. Um Mr. Benehan Grajales? Absolutely, yes. Mr. Woodson? Yes. Ms. Perez? Yes. Mr. Sakalovic? Yes, after I bring my concerns on the record, yes. Ms. Bergstrom-Jennings? Yes. Mr. Daniels? Yes. I vote yes. Mr. Traber? Yes. Mr. Medina? Yes. All right, okay. That passes. All right. Um we'll take a motion to adjourn. So moved. >> So moved. Moved. Second. I mean, I was going to I don't know who moved it, but I know it's recorded, so somebody moved it and seconded it, so um All in favor, say I. I. I. Meeting's adjourning at 6:30 tomorrow night. Don't
034forget 5:30 at the City Council Chambers. Uh we'll see you there for the public hearing. Yeah, I'm here already. Thank you, Mark. Thank you, Nestor, George. Thank you all. Take care. God bless you. >> you all. Take care. Thank you. Mr. Anastasi, Mark, thank you very much much, Mr. Anastasi. Oh, and thank you, Sam. Thank you. Yeah, IT, that's right. IT, thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm leaving now. I was going to say, no no love? >> [laughter] >> Goodnight, everybody. >> Oh, I see Ms. McKinley, too. Ms. Marge, God bless you guys. Have a good night. Jose Cortez.