001and tell me if the speaker could help. Um, if you have one of these in front of you when you're speaking, push the button and the green light indicates that the speaker is on for you. that needs to be done so Sam can record uh the meeting more clearly for the folks who are listening online. Um so um but we also just need to know last time uh several people uh were saying they couldn't hear on that side and so I want to make sure everybody can hear. So please feel free to interrupt and raise your hand and point to your ear and do all that sort of stuff to indicate whether you if you can't hear somebody. Um uh I'm going to deal with the formalities of the meeting first and then we'll get
002to the business of the meeting. Um the formality of the meeting is that I'm calling this meeting to order at 6:19 of the ad hoc advocacy meeting uh committee. Um I'm going to take a roll call. Present at the meeting are myself from the committee, myself and Albert Benahan Graales. U Marissa Estraa Jimenez is not here tonight. um she had a medical procedure today, so I wasn't sure if she was going to attend online or not, but we have a quorum. So, I'm calling the meeting to order, and that's the roll call. Um um and uh I'll take a motion to approve the minutes of the February 25th meeting. Mr. Benahan. >> So, move, Mr. Ben. >> I will second that motion. All in favor? >> I. Motion passes. We've taken care of the business
003of opening the meeting. Now we can get down to the business of our discussion, our public forum, if you see on the agenda, um I'd like to go around the table and have people introduce themselves. Uh and uh you know, uh where you're from, just a brief word or two about where you're from, why you're here. Um and as I always do, I'll start to the left. Uh Anthony, that would be you. Anthony Poto. I'm project manager for the mayor's office for the city of Bridgeworth. >> Minister Willie Medina from Calvary Beth Church, vice president. >> Cole Nelson, city council uh member for the 13th district. >> Hello, Jason Papa. I'm a school counselor at Fairchild Wheeler and I'm here as an individual. Hi, I'm Jacqueline Colin Antonio. I'm an ESL teacher uh teacher in
004Bridgeport for 28 years and I am here as an individual as well. >> Hi, good evening. I'm Jennifer Gaines. Um I grew up in Bridgeport mainly my entire life and I'm here as a parent advocate for two um children that currently attend Bridgeport uh public schools. >> Hello everyone, Mr. Aanal, one of the board members from Bristo public school. The only thing I can say please let's respect everybody's time and voice and time and please be sure you recognize from the chair before you will speak please. Thank you. >> I'm John Fitzpatrick. I'm a music teacher and musician. I live in the Black Rockck neighborhood and here to support the Bridgeport Public Schools. >> Steve Nelson, retired from the Bridgeport Board of Ed. Um I'm here representing um my daughter who has um three children,
005young children that attends Bridgeport Public Schools. >> Good evening. My name is Jamine Davis, Bridgeport, born and raised, currently the co-director of Bridgeport Generation. Now, >> hello, I'm Kim McLaclin. Uh I'm a resident in Bridgeport over by Bridgeport Hospital area. Um, and my daughter went through the public school system and I have um a granddaughter now who's in public schools and another little one who will be going pretty soon. They grow up faster than you know. Thanks. >> My name is Israel Prell. I'm a student at Fairchild of Wheeler. I'm here for general knowledge. Jason Feny, the assistant principal at Fairchild Wheeler. >> Jim Aaros, uh, retired, uh, school security for 29 years. Uh, also I am a member of the NRZ in the south end of Bridgeport and I'm a longtime resident of Bridgeport
006and, uh, my mother was a long longtime uh, advocate for students in the Bridgeport public schools and I'm following her footsteps. Thank you. Minioplanes, director of mathematics, the Bridgeport Public Schools, and tonight I represent the BCAS, the legislative chair. >> The BCAS is the Bridgeport Council of Administrators and Supervisors, which is which is the uh the administrators union basically. >> Uh my name is Jad Hayekal. I am a student at Bridgeport as well as a resident and I am uh here just to see how things are going. >> Joe Degro. I'm the band director at Central High School and also uh secondary vice president for the teachers union. >> I'm Becca Saxon. I am the staff member for the Connecticut Education Association who is assigned to work with Bridgeport teachers >> um and online. >>
007Good afternoon everybody. Uh Dr. Avery in school superintendent. Glad to see everybody there. Uh hope to have a great meeting today. >> Do we have anyone else? >> Sam, do you know if we have anyone else? I I do know that um somehow sneaking online isn't Rob Traver. My daughter is up there. She has CO right now, so she didn't join us tonight. Um I gave her my laptop in case we had any technical questions for her, but otherwise she decided not to come. And we had a a latecomer here in the corner. >> Yes. Uh Kayla Medina, lifelong resident of Bridgeport and city council woman for the 138th district. >> She want to introduce herself. I don't know why I forgot her. >> Listening in not participating, but I'm Sarah Lopez. I um am
008a resident of Milh Hill. I work for Senator Murphy's office. So I'm just listening in today. >> The great Bill four of us here. Five of us here. Um, okay. Thank you for that. And, um, the first item on the agenda is just to sort of review what's happened in the last couple of weeks. Uh, last week we had a small turnout because of the, uh, Democratic town committee meeting. Uh, drew a lot of you over there. Um, so I'm just going to give everybody a chance to catch up. We mostly talked about the the wonderful uh the wonderful day we had up on uh at the LOB for the uh uh education committee hearing. >> Um uh the star of the year stars of the hearing were our students um who turned out in
009numbers with students from all over the state and one of those four students was John. Uh the other three were from Fairchild Wheeler and they did a phenomenal job sort of taking over the meeting. Um and uh having their way with the committee um especially when they were uh attacked is probably a harsh word, but they were in inappropriately questioned by a member of the committee. Um and throughout the day, everyone else stood up for him. at the end of the day in the wee hours of the morning, Jennifer Gates um took on the committee about it. Um but everyone else throughout the day, including many of us, uh took a bit long. Um so, oh, I see. I had it backwards. Thank you, Sam. Um so, that's probably why it was hard to hear
010last week. Uh so, anyway, does anyone want to add anything who wasn't here last week about the their experience up there? I'm up here. John Carlo >> and introduce yourself, please. >> John Carlo. I work in the communications department. I do want to mention that Israel Prell, who is here, spoke alongside the superintendent at the advocacy su uh student uh over in at the capital the same exact day. So I definitely >> press conference. >> He spoke at the press conference. Yes, >> I didn't make it up for that. >> I thank you for adding that. >> So we have two of the stars of that day with us here tonight. Um our students have been spectacular. Um, anybody else have anything to add from that day? You guys want to say anything? Israel or
011no? They get shy on us sometimes, but our students have been spectacular and we're blessed with having them out there with us. Um and then Steve see child will is here but it's probably a dumb question but I'm still going to ask it. Are the other high schools um able to engage as well like Harding Central? Were they up there or um is there a reason why that they're not representatives? be clear, John's from Richport Military Academy. So, he was there from another high school. I don't know about the others. Um, Tim, so yes, we have uh representation from all of our schools. The last uh particular thing is they wanted only a select number of students. So, in instead of busing uh every school district, we only was able to bus the people that
012can speak. But the previous one we had, we had all schools from from all of our uh districts represented. >> That went up to Harford. >> It went up to Harford. Yes. >> And I know I know at that at that hearing um the um appropriations hearing, which was the first big hearing that we testified at, we had about 25 students go up. About 10 to 15 testified. And of those 10 to 15, they were from I know Harding, Bassic, Central, >> Fairchild, Wheeler, >> and DMA. >> Yeah, I don't think he's got a chance to speak with the first time. >> Okay. But I'm just saying we had a >> Yes. >> But note that >> those uh testimonies can be viewed still right now. They are in YouTube. So, you're more than welcome
013to go and listen to them and see the the magnitude and the power that was spoken that day. And this is something that also, if you guys don't know, um some of our middle school students came, at least one, I believe, or maybe more than one came and spoke after that over at the city council. So, you know, your voices are motivating other students and other thing. We have a great debate team which went to a uh went to competition and represented well and they're going to be able to start speaking. They want to come and speak. So you guys have been a great motivation to the younger and they're looking at you guys. So I appreciate you two gentlemen and all those that came out to Harford and will continue to go out in
014Harford because even the elementary school, they want to speak up and this is open to everybody. every student in the district can come and speak before the board and can come and sit in this IHOP committee at any point in time with their families. So, everyone is welcome >> and and um Steve, I should be clear that at the education committee hearing that was organized through the Connecticut Conference of M municipalities um and that was a joint action with students from cities all over the state and technically I don't know how many students we took up there on the bus um dozen two dozen um that seems to be the number that I remember because there were about 15 20 spaces left on the bus. CCM paid for the bus, paid for food, was feeding
015the students at the armory across the street and we were told only one student could speak from Bridgeport >> and Jod was the designated speaker. Um but the three other students slipped in with him and took it upon themselves to all speak much to the chagrin of the organizer was from the a woman from the communications director from New Haven. And she kept looking casting daggers at superintendent and I like what are they doing? And we said hey we can't control them. We can't put the hook on them. They're up there in front of the world. We're not going to pull them out of there. And so all four students testified and it was quite the quite the thing to watch >> and they were all good. >> Yeah, you were great. >> Um >>
016what is the link on YouTube that can be tied in is one question. >> If you go if you go >> he'll send it to me. But if for general public who's watching, if you go to the Connecticut General Assembly website and click on the committees link, then there's a link to the um various hearings, YouTube link to the committee's hearings, but Willie can send you the direct link to that one. Reason why I mention it is because being a former uh police officer working in the schools, each um each each school has a different issue that needs to be addressed by that school. No disrespect to Fairchild Willer, but I'm sure they speak highly of the issues that concern them at Fairchild Willer. And I know Harding has some, Central has some. And I
017I'm going to mention this to principal both principles when I do see them that we should try to get at least one at the table especially when you have these meetings. They need to be here and I'm sure in them big schools they got one that could come you know so that's my that's the only reason why I asked the question. >> Oh absolutely do we again we're welcoming all and encouraging >> to join us as you know. >> Yep. Um, anything else on the past meetings? Okay. Um, the um on development since the last meeting uh grab yourself an agenda and a list of the legislators. And uh Kim, do you have the things you want to hand out? Um I I want to quickly point out uh that um since then uh we've
018had two things that happened this week and I'll give a quick report on them on Monday. Oh, I I need to point out that Marissa Esther Mara Jimenez has joined us online, the third member of the committee. Uh >> have you done the signing chief? >> No, I need to pass it out. >> Okay, thank you. Um and uh let me ask the our newest uh guest to join to introduce himself. >> Wave Mitchell, president of NAGE. >> And for the sake of the people that don't know, could you explain what NAGE is? >> Nagege is a um a union that represents um workers with the city of Bris. National Association of Government Employees. Um, okay. Uh, what I was explaining is that this week, uh, two things happened. On Monday, the members of the
019House held a press conference to announce a deal that the speaker had worked out and they were offering up that would, uh, initially it sounded like a a really great deal of hundred to $150 million for Bridgeport. Um, but it ended up being a hundred to $150 million for the entire state taking out of the governor's budget. Um, and when you think about a hundred to $150 million for the whole state, that's not enough for Bridgeport. Uh, that offers uh approximately 5 to10 million for Bridgeport, they hadn't worked out any of the details. the details um still need to be worked out and that would mean ultimately it's not even clear if the money would go to the city and then to the board of ed. So none of it's been worked out and5 to10
020million doesn't come close to the $45 million we need to even balance the books. So it's it's not what it seemed to be when it was first announced and we need to keep pushing for more money uh is the bottom line. It was a nice effort and clearly the speaker was giving credit to our delegation for a lot of push and pull. He I think at one point said in the press conference, there's not a day gone by since the beginning of January that I haven't heard from a member of the Bridgeport delegation about the needs of the Bridgeport public schools. Uh and that's a reflection that our deleg our members of our delegation are working hard for us, but we need to keep pushing with them to get more money for Bridgeport. Uh on
021Wednesday, Joe Sakalic and I as well as other members of the administration attended a uh webinar hosted by CABE, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Ed of the School and State Finance Project, which is a very uh heady and wellrespected think tank that's funded primarily by the charter school people. Um but it's well respected for its data. and they were offering another program to take the money that the uh speaker was taking and reorganize it um to uh fully fund $16,000 per student is the way it was advertised. Um unfortunately, it wasn't spending any more money than what the speakers program was. It was going to fully fund everything by 2033. So that means incremental steps. So, it's still a hundred to $150,000. Next year, it would give $10 million to Bridgeport. Um, next year,
022again, not nearly enough to balance the books. In the end, when you look at it, when you read between the double talk, so it's still not enough, but again, both of them are a reflection that we have made everybody this year in Hartford talk about ECS. This is not a funding year. This is a tweak the budget year. And now they're all talking about ECS, the Senate bill, the House now proposal. The governor didn't want to talk about it at all and he's now saying, "Yeah, I'll talk about it." And school and state finance. So, everybody's talking about ECS. And we have about six weeks to push like heck and get it all get it put get more money put in. So, that's the short on reports. Any questions about any of that? If if
023if um if there's other districts that are getting a better bite of the pie than Bridgeport and then they're going to share all this money with everybody, you're never going to catch up to where we need to get. >> We get to that in the next section. >> Yeah. >> Does that make sense though? >> Yes. >> Yeah. I'm sure you guys are >> We got to make the pie bigger, don't we? Well, if they're already getting more than you're getting and they give everybody 10, you're still going to be behind the people. >> If you if you saw the news this week, Hartford is looking at 22 to $70 million shortcut deficit. So, there are a lot of districts in financial trouble this year. And that's the bottom line. Nobody's getting nobody has enough
024money. >> Nobody. >> That's the problem. You know, for 13 years, they haven't raised the base rate. So, everybody's struggling. Does the states still um are they still under state guidance? Harford. >> Yes, >> they are. >> Yes. Like us. >> Like us. Okay. >> I I just think for maybe cl for clarity um Steve what when he talks about the base rate primarily the conversation this session has been about raising the base rate of the education cost sharing formula. Mhm. >> Um and different districts get different amounts based on that formula. But what has happened is that for the last 10 years, uh they haven't raised that base formula to keep up with inflation. So all of the districts, primarily in urban areas, have fallen way behind. Bridgeport this year is $44 million behind.
025And we need 44 million just to keep our >> bas just to keep our basic services. And that's been the case for 10 years, right? And it hasn't raised. So we need to fight with everything we have this session to put pressure on them to raise the ECS formula and beyond that give us the money that's owed to us now so that we can have a fully functioning district. And and just to clarify that one point, if they had funded us the 13 the cost of inflation over the 13 years, it would be 41% increase, which you know, you you can build on that year-toear. You did late negotiations. It would be 16,500. School and state finance has it pegged at 16,000. It 16,500 depending on how you calculate it. Um, and so that would
026be the money itself would be 95,000 for Bridgeport. >> 95 million, sorry, 95 million, excuse me, >> for Bridgeport. Um, and so our 44, it's a little over 44 million. So I call it 45 million. I round up just to make the numbers look better for us. Um, but you know, you can see there's with that extra $40 to $50 million, we could start to do replace some of the things we've cut over the last 13 years, um, to deal with those issues you're raising in the different schools that, you know, they need. Um, and that's what our budget of 106 million is meant to do is to start fixing some of the problems we've had to cut for the last 13 years. Um, and that's why we passed a budget of 106 million to
027show you what we would do if we had the money we're owed for our kids. >> Um, and so that's the whole picture. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? Yes, Israel. Sorry, I saw you. Um so in regard to the when the students were being questioned by the representative um when we went to Hartford, >> do you recall when we were just talking about earlier when the they were being pressed by the representative? >> Yeah. >> Right. Um she was speaking much about capital prep. I want to know how would you answer that those questions and do you think that capital prep do you personally believe that capital prep has exceeded performance size exceeded any Bridgeport public school? >> No. Um, first off, Capital Prep doesn't pay for their special ed. A third of our
028costs are passed special ed. We have to provide their special ed. They don't pay for their buses. We provide their buses. I mean, let's start with those two factors. Secondly, if you saw Mr. Sakalovic posted a very good explanation online which showed they have a third the number of Spanish speaking students that we have. They have a third the number of special ed students that we have. So they're not providing to the same student population that we are. They're very selective about the students they have. So when he says he's more efficient with the same student population, he's not. He's misrepresenting reality. And that's why my only comment about him when I just I was that Mr. Perry's idea of reality is vastly different than our idea of reality. And that's the only thing I'll
029say about him because I know now I also did an analysis years ago that showed he's got 1.6 to 1.8 million in administrative costs for 750 students >> in a school that size in Bridgeport. We'd have an a principal and an assistant principal that's about two to 300,000. So I don't know what efficiencies he's profering. Um but he's misrepresenting facts. Um, and now I get down to stories. I mean, go talk to Wanda uh Simmons, former city council woman from the East End, about her daughter's experience in Capitol Prep. Whole different reality. So, I I'm not going to dwell any more on it because we have business to take care of tonight. But Mr. Perry's stories are just that he's not more efficient. Uh, he's not doing necessarily a better job. Um, he tells stories.
030>> I I also hear from parents out in the community that if there's a student that has issues, >> they send them back to Bridgeport. >> They don't deal with the issue kids. They keep the good, the best that they got, they keep. >> Y >> and the ones that need a little bit more help or, you know, I hear, and I'm not making this up. I hear this from parents who send their kids over there. Nothing against what he's doing, but you know, if I had the luxury of taking the best a Cadillac instead of a Hyundai, then I'd probably be riding better. So, I don't mean that to be disrespectful, but that's part of the problem, too. >> No. And that's generally a reality of all charter schools is the students that they
031find too hard to deal with are sent back to the Bridgeport public schools right after October 1st because after October 1st they're able to get that money for the rest of the year. >> Um and they come back in and as a fourth fifth grade teacher I used to get those students in October back in my class and the parents would tell me they were told that if they didn't transfer them back into the public schools they'd be pushed out. I mean, that's just the reality um of all charter schools that the hard students they can't deal with and they send them back to us. >> Yep. >> So, I I that's not just Mr. Perry. >> Um so, uh listen, we need to do a little planning. Um and, uh item C on the
032agenda is we talked about it last time. Uh I have reached out. Uh it there's it says, uh planning and discussion of meeting with our delegation, date, time, and place. Um, I can report that the meeting is going to be April 18th. Um, I did a survey of the reps. Um, and uh, I with the exception you have a a list here of them all. I sent out an email to the whole delegation. I heard back from everybody except for uh, Senator Gaston um, and uh, Representative Felipe. Um, uh, Christopher Rosario was very helpful in helping, uh, catch up with a couple of them. He worked with me in the last 24 hours. Uh, but we did get, um, pretty much everybody. Um, and it, they are all available. We offered them, um, Saturday, we
033had talked last week about Saturday the 28th, trying to squeeze it in before the No Kings rally at noon. Um, so we looked at between 10 and 12 Saturday morning. um an hour. We we proposed a 1-hour meeting between 10 and 12 uh at a place to be determined. We were thinking the central library perhaps um and uh or an hour on April 18th um because of the the break, the spring break. Um and we offered those two times 10 and 12. And um uh it was clear some of them said they had both days available. Some of them just couldn't make it on the 28th. Um the only one that can't make it on the 18th is uh Representative Stafstrom. Can't make either one. So we're going to have to set something up with
034him uh because he's important and we have a lot of folks in that district. Um so we're going to have to set something up separately with him, but everyone else could make April 18th. So, it's going to be Saturday, April 18th. We haven't set a time because I figured we should decide what time folks want to do it. Uh 10, 10:30, 11, 11, no, 10, 10:30, 11 for an hour. Um, and we should decide on a location tonight. But based on the response of of um Andre Baker, Marcus Brown, uh Fred G, um McCarth Kristen McCarthy, uh Chris Rosario, um and Sugatada Gatkar Wilcox. the 18th was available to all them and we want to get back to them on a time and a place um to have a meeting and we should talk about
035the meeting itself although I think we'll need to do more turnout and planning work on it but set the meeting get back to them I'll get back to them tomorrow with the uh time and the location uh to nail it down and confirm it uh uh and we should talk about uh our position what we want to do with it tonight which we'll get to in a second, but anybody have a preference for the time? It doesn't matter to me. Um, what time that morning? >> Question to the chair. Um, you said we only have an hour with them. That was by their schedule or ours. >> No, that was us what we were talking about. It's meant to be a quick meeting to uh discuss with them whether they, you know, will they support
036our position that we should talk about tonight. It's not meant to be a long meeting. It's meant to be we want to meet with you. We want to lay out our position and ask you if you'll support it and work with us on it. >> So far, they they've been very helpful. >> I'm sorry. Can I make a suggestion on it? Um, one of the things that So, when they did a forum like this in Meridan, they did a two-hour forum and they used the first hour. They didn't invite the legislators to the first hour and used it to do like, you know, just some organizing work within the uh meeting space like, you know, what are the issues we're fighting for? like what are we like why are we fighting for them? Who's in
037this room? You know, what do we have to do? That kind of stuff. Um and then and and then they invited the legislators in for the second hour um and used that hour as the forum. And I know that's also um a sorry a layout that has worked in other kind of um meetings with legislators over the last year and for other issues. Um I don't know if that's something we want to think about, but I I just wanted to throw it out there. makes sense. >> Um, unfortunately for us, um, we won't be able to be there because we have our weekend. >> You can't hear me. >> It make sure you're aiming it right because remember I was having it back. >> Okay. >> You're good. >> But I I won't be able
038to be there. I can help uh any pre-work you may need. Um, but we have our undoing racism training that whole weekend. the mic there. >> Um, if it's helpful, um, this might not be an exclusive conversation to what we're having right now, but five of these representatives are going to have a community conversation scheduled at the Bridgeport Library. So that >> Oh, okay. I was just thinking if that's might be another opportunity for us to show face as well. >> I what what what Jen is referring to is Thursday night at the library there's quote unquote a community conversation that Senator Gagkar Wilcox didn't know about. I know she is. I sent her this today and she said, "Oh, I didn't know about that." So, this group has used her being there, but she
039didn't know she was going to be there. >> Is that next Thursday? >> This th next week? Yes. >> We were we we discussed this last week. Um and I asked her about it because we thought we might go to that instead of having a meeting and it it's just not. It doesn't work. It would be I'm I'm going to was going to bring it up tonight that some of us might want to go. No. No. I don't want it to go out now. I will pass it out in a bit. It's not appropriate right now, Willie. We're talking about something else. >> I thought it was you. >> I I got to tell you, it's very it it's run by a group. >> We're not just We'll talk about it in a minute. >>
040Yes. >> So, it's there, but in Shar talking to her, she didn't even know about it. >> Can't ask questions. >> No, I I we're not going to deviate yet. Let's talk about our meeting. Yeah. >> And how we're going to do our meeting. Any other thoughts on how we want to set up our meeting? What time? Katie made a suggestion. I >> I I'd like I know I won't be there, but I do like Katie's suggestion. Um if the first hour could be spent uh with people figuring out, okay, we have an hour what questions we want to ask. you know, Rob is gonna ask this question, Steve is gonna ask this question, so that all the bases are covered and everyone in the room knows what's going to happen. Um, that would be
041my suggestion to have all that stuff laid out beforehand. >> Yeah, I like that too. To the chair, go back. >> No, please. >> Oh, and to rendevu and pack up what what she was saying because I want to make sure that we do have a game plan. I like what she just mentioned that literally we'll plan out the questions and everything. So, we'll have some speakers asking the questions and not just people thinking that they're going to be able to ask questions themselves that we're going to already have those whether it's five questions, six questions, whatever we decide and then to have open discussion about it because if not the public that are going to come, they're going to think that it's thing. And that's why that first hour is important to get that
042room prepared that they're not going to get out of control in the sense of to think that, oh, I thought I was coming here to speak when that's not what it is. We have some questions that we did together as a community. We could maybe add one or two that day from that crowd, but just to have a really game plan. Who's going to speak? Who's going to ask the questions almost with like a panel like you know? C >> can I um can I just add a little more on just >> No, no, no. I got two other hands first. I got two other hands. >> You're just not seeing my hand. So, if you just keep looking and it's being I'm happy to wait. I just want to ask. >> Can you not
043find the hand button on there? >> My hand is up. >> Okay. Well, then just hold on. I had Jay's hand up and I had >> Absolutely. No problem. No problem. So just let me just let >> I think you know the the preparatory meeting would be important for all the reasons people said but I also think you know it's a good opportunity for us to see what people think and prepare people for the meeting. I know that we talked last week about stating our position what that might be. Um people might have various ideas. We might want to kind of see if we can get on the same page around a particular issues. Um, I know asking for more than what's in the bills now is an important one and how we go about
044doing that long term has been a discussion we had here last week. Um, so I think those types of things would be important to discuss because those bills are are are um that are that are open and up at the state house. One of them is the wealth tax and the other is um the house bill 7 I believe which includes the increase of the ECS which is inadequate. So that's would be my recommendation just piggybacking off other folks. I've been to other meetings when they have their their meeting and they have their talking the Q cards. If we do it when they Q cards go in, I think it should be more than one bucket because if you put them all in there, you're not going to get everybody's questions that publicly get pulled
045out answered that like that. >> We're not going to play the Q card game. I I don't think we'll do that. Yeah, I understand what you're saying. I don't want to We want to have a directed people asking questions. Kim >> gonna say um that I think we should have a few people who give test Mike, I >> I think we should have a probably two or three people who give testimony since the testimony not you a lot of people didn't hear the testimony and it was so powerful. Um, so I think that we should in that first hour, um, we should make sure that we put that in the agenda, um, so that people in the room can hear the testimony. Um and maybe even in the second hour too, right when this when
046the state reps are there and the senator Katie? >> Yeah, I was just going to um so I know a few folks have heard have said it, but I think um Jim and I think then mom um just I agree with like prepping using that hour to prep is what makes sense. But then the other thing I wanted to just say is in that second hour when legislators come, I think we want to be clear that like they're not coming to speak. I mean, yes, we have some questions. Yes, we'll give them some time at the end to like share their thoughts and say, "Yes, we stand with you." But a lot of what you want is them to come and listen. Um, and so like the idea of testimony is, you know, like five
047or six speakers. You want a parent, you want a student, you want a teacher, you want a para, you want a uh, you know, a community leader, a faith leader, like you know, something like that is what makes the most sense. People that are affected by the cuts um to speak about what's going to happen with more cuts. Um, and then you want to give them, you know, it's like if you you're going to have like most of the delegation, so you got to probably, you know, do like 15 20 minutes for them to be able to respond, you know, and that's where I think the questions come in where you have like three or four pointed like, you know, so now we want to ask as a community, you know, um, you know, state
048rep so and so like, you know, would you support, you know, increasing the ECS formula or found, you know, whatever the questions are and ask them to then answer those questions directly, but like you know giving them a platform to just like take up space. That's what legislators do best is take up space and this isn't about them taking up space. It's about us taking up space. >> So then Jim again I guess >> thank you Mr. Chair. Um everything in here everything is amazing especially the testimony. I'm talking about another language, not only English, we got Spanish, we got another language that would like to have some different people send the message because, you know, we got people from different country. They would like to understand what's going on. Maybe we can prepare, you
049know, can be a mom, a staff, a students saying for another language. That's very important for me. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, this is bringing me back of uh watching PBS when um Mr. Rogers sat in front of the Congress sat there and he narrated his own story and and and it fell into that congressman's voice and he said, "Mr. Rogers," I could see when the way he did it. I took his glasses off said, "Mr. Rogers, you're fully funded." I mean, once we get this all together, whoever is going to speak in front of the state legislators that they make the final decision, but if they take all our stuff in as a sponge and feel it deep down in their heart, like I always said to this board education and think, if you
050use the mirror effect, when you do something, you look in the mirror, you're going to do it to someone else. And please, if we can get that in their heads that don't do it to someone, you know, be it for everybody, not just for one group, it's for all the kids in in Connecticut that deserve the right, but we got to fight for Bridgeport kids. Thank you. >> Um, just as I say, I just want to excuse myself. I had a class that I got to give, so I got to be faithful to my students, too. So, thank you guys. >> Any other comments on that? So, we agree we need to work on the details. Um uh I I'm going to suggest that whoever is interested should sit down with us in a week
051and we'll work on the details of the meeting and how the meeting gets structured. But we all I I'm seeing a lot of heads shake up and down about how we approach a premeating with without the legislators present. So the premeating at 10:00, invite the legislators at 11. Does that make sense? >> Just want to clarify the date again. Uh, you know, the 18th of of April. >> All right. Okay. >> April 8, Saturday, April 18th. Where would it be at? >> Central Library. Sound all right? >> Central High School. >> Well, let's talk about how many people we think we can get there. >> Oh, >> can I add just one quick thing? I'm sorry. I did put my hand up again. Um, but just I would try and identify speakers ahead of time.
052I I think I think prepping with them in the first hour. I >> I agree. Okay. I >> I heard us say that we would do that. Okay, >> I agree. I'm trying to move the agenda because I know some people want to leave um because of sunset and because of another meeting. So, I I heard that said. We will do that next week is try and identify who those speakers will be. We heard a a cross-section of three to five speakers uh that would be representative of the constituencies in this community. The the jobs, the groups, the parents, the community, the students, the uh next week, >> the uh the I I feel like I left somebody out. I didn't mean to, but a cross-section of everybody. >> can I add one thing before
053you >> Yes. You know, I think that the the meeting is going to go great and I think we've all been really clear about what it is is needed here and what we want. I think strategically though, we do have to start thinking about what happens um and how we hold these uh people accountable if they do not deliver. um not something that we need to uh you know get into the weeds right now but I think that we are in for a longer fight than this session you know Rob you all have been doing this for decades you know so um you know we need to keep our eye on the ball and um you know not only do we have our delegation coming but the mayor's budget is going to come out and
054there needs to be some pressure put on the administration as well about what they're doing or not doing. >> Okay. >> I'm going to call a meeting next week that won't be a full formal advocacy committee meeting, but a meeting of whoever is interested in sitting down and talking about how we plan this meeting. Um, and I'll probably do it up in 305 instead of out here. Um, because it won't be a formal meeting. It'll be a planning meeting. So, I will send you all a notice of such meeting in 305. Um, and we can talk about how this meeting needs to be set up and structured and we can talk about who what groups we want to get in touch with. Um, you know, and make a list and do the sort of planning
055for the details. The reason I'm trying to skip is because I see Steve packing up already and I know he wanted to go and before he goes there's a hard discussion. We started last week the position and the reason the hard part nobody has a hard trouble when I say okay we want to fully fund the ECS. Anybody want to argue with me about that? No. Everybody agrees we want the full 16,000 16,500. Do we want the 80 to95 million for that we need? Right. The problem is how are we going to pay for that? Now, you heard me say in my earlier report, you know, people are carving out a hundred to 200 million out of the governor's budget. We had 500 million set aside for tax rebate, $200 tax rebate for everybody in
056the election year to try and make everybody vote for him this fall. And everybody said, "Well, we'll take a couple hundred, you know, million out of that." Uh it was actually the president of CCM or the director of CCM in the article I read in the mirror who said, "Hey, take the full 500 million from the governor's rebate." Um and when I mentioned that to Lisa Hammersley from school and state finance, she said, "Boy, I'd love that." Um you know, but nobody wants to buck the governor that much and take all of his sugar plums that he wants to give to the tax voters. Um, but the reality is what Senator Looney, the president of the Senate, said to me two weeks ago, two and a half weeks ago, was we need to tax the
057rich. That's where the money is going to come from. A wealth tax. And there are proposals to create wealth taxes, a mansion tax, a higher level income tax for the people who make a million dollars or more. Uh, and that tax is out there. And those people were already doing well since 2020. uh as the stock market soared up to 50,000, they are making money hand over fist. And we had this discussion last week. The reality is they are making money handover fist. And then this year from the federal government, they got another tax boom. Um so they're really raking in the dough and they have they paid ma taxes at a lower rate than us working folks and the governor being one of them doesn't want to tax them. >> The big beautiful bill.
058Um, yeah, in that big beautiful bill, they got more money back. So, the governor doesn't want to tax them because they're his friends and peers. But if you tax them, Massachusetts is pulling in two to four million dollars a billion dollars a year, excuse me. And and and Massachusetts, New York are all the rich people, those billionaires and millionaire multi-millionaires are paying taxes at a much higher rate than Connecticut. So when they say we're going to drive him out of Connecticut, no, you're not because they're going to pay more in Massachusetts and New York. So they're going to stay right here in Connecticut where it's still cheaper than Massachusetts and New York. But he doesn't want to do it. And so there are bills now being proposed that we need, you know, we need our
059reps to say, "Hey, what are we going to do? Pardon my French. Hurt our No, I won't use the French. Hurt our kids or hurt them?" That's really the choice. hurt the kids or hurt them. And for crying out loud, we've been hurting the kids for decades, generations. >> It's time to make the rich people pay more, hurt them a little bit, and take care of our kids. And we have to understand that and buy into that argument to raise taxes on the wealthy is not, you know, people hear raise taxes and get nervous and twitchy, but it's not raising our taxes on us because I don't think anyone in this room is making a million dollars. Another suggestion I would make and I I would probably say to the legislators is there are some
060states who don't have this issue because they take state lottery money gains and put it into education. So that might be something that we could probably throw out there too because that money goes in the general fund. And but there's other states who again who don't have issues with funding their education because they're taking lottery money and putting it right in there. So I just want to put it on the table. >> Well, there are currently three or four bills in the Senate that a lot of us testified. The day of the Senate Finance Committee hearing. There were 150 people testified. And I would tell you that a 100 to 120 of those people that testified testified for Connecticut for all in favor of the bills that would three or four of the bills were
061the wealth tax, the estate tax, the um tax on uh the money they're making on the stock market. Um uh and then there was one bill that was to create a state um what was the um the rebate? um that Rosa Valoro did in the um in the COVID era. Huh. >> Yeah. The earned income um money that Rosa had in during the COVID era that expired as did our ES opera money. >> Um and that eliminated childhood poverty in the United States for a brief period of time. >> Uh but when it expired, we we had now childhood poverty come back to the United States, but earn earned earned income tax credit. Um and they would there is a bill to to do that in Connecticut uh that was also on the agenda for
062that hearing um that we testified in support of. So >> and there was a bill to eliminate the guardrails so that we could use the money from the surplus. And that's really the the plan that we want to present to the to our our delegation is we support using the the the surplus that would pay for a year or two of this program. And if you pass these new taxes on the wealthy, that would be the long-term funding that would provide the money for years on out to to completely fully res, you know, fund ECS. So that's our program that we're proposing is you can fully fund the ECS next year if you use the surplus to cover the next year or two and you pass these new taxes to fund the future. >> Sorry
063Bob. >> So well I just wanted to get that out on the table Steve before you left. You're comfortable with that? I'll let you know. So, any questions about that? Comments? How do people feel about that? >> Three demands. >> Well, essentially, we're going to ask them to support support the ECS up in immediate implementation of the full ECS. >> Let me let me see if I got them straight. We want the ECS formula changed. We want a wealth tax and we want to use the surplus to bridge the gap right now for the 44 million and next year. >> Yeah. >> Not to change the ECS. >> Not change the ECS. I'm sorry. Update the the >> Fully fund the ECS >> next year. >> Right. And a cola, >> right? Cost of living.
064Yes. Every year from now on. >> Okay. and and use the surplus to fund the immediate funding and then implement the wealth taxes to fund the future. >> Yeah. >> Make sense? >> I I would have to I'll get the numbers, >> you know, and and I think this is just me, but in terms of the wealth tax, you know, I'm just saying to people, hey, it's about them paying their fair share. That's really what it's about. Plain and simple, right? Everybody has to pay their fair share and that's not happening. And that's why we can't pay for education for all of our kids. It's not equal. >> Katie, >> you have a question here. >> Oh, no. Her hand was up first. I this time I saw it. >> Since just could thanks um
065just because we're talking about the the revenue stuff, I just want to flag that there are two other events to put on the calendar. One of them is on tax day. um where we're going to turn. So Connecticut for all has been working on this >> on the number of other stuff >> on the agenda and on the calendar >> what >> your tax day. >> Oh, okay cool. So the tax day and the it'll be an education lobby day as well. And then the other thing to note that just I just fig I just found out today is that on no kings day which is the 28th there are going to be postcards that say fix the formula that um in I'm Hartford, Stanford, Danbury and New Haven I think are going to be
066passed out to collect um contacts from folks in different communities. Um so if we wanted to join that we could and also we can try and get the contacts if there's any from Bridgeport so we can try and get them to join. But I just wanted to throw that in the conversation >> quickly. Um, in terms of that, there is a group in Bridge called called Bridgeport Resist that might want to get involved in that. Katie, um, also um, Bridgeport Generation Now is going to be in New Haven. So, if we can get those cards, we'll bring some with us for No Kings Day. And we'll also be in Westport with a group called the Reisters. So, we might be able to bring that stuff with us. Let me um let me check in and
067try and get back to you like next week hopefully about not next week because let me check in over the next day or two and see if I can get back to you about um the postcards when they're getting done and how they're being distributed. >> Okay. >> I I'm sure New Haven will have them because of Leslie. >> Yeah. New Haven will have them because Leslie will be there. I just don't know about the other places and I'm sure we can get you some for Westport. >> Um I I'm going to introduce the distinguished lady that just entered. Um, >> I'm so sorry. My brother just had surgery though, so I had to check on family, but I uh wanted to honor what it is that we're trying to do. So that's why I
068made sure that I I came, but I apologize for the retardiness. What did I miss? >> Oh, a whole lot. But you want you want to introduce yourself? >> Sure. Um, Porsche Scott Cham. Um, been in the system for about 28 years. uh product of Bridgeport Public Schools and um proud teacher. I got quite a few who are in the system. Um and uh currently I'm in the role as the science director. So >> welcome. Um go ahead Israel and then Jackie. >> Um >> Miss Laughlin alluded earlier that in regards to the wealth tax that in summary people aren't paying their fair share. I just want to establish what is the fe what is fear because we all have a subjective value in so far to what it mean first off what is fear
069we all have a different value I just want to know what is fear to everybody to this body what do we deem as fear >> um I I would say a proportion of your income what percent >> well I don't have a fixed percent but if they're not paying the same percent as me that's not fair >> so do Do you have a basic understanding of the tax code that we're talking about? >> Well, you're in regards to the wealth tax. >> Yeah. like do you have just a a basic I'm asking because we can explain um what we mean like do you have a basic understanding of how our taxes how right >> yeah I would like >> so so um generally speaking people who make um the least amount of money like people
070who are making 40,000 50,000 60,000 under $100,000 are paying a higher percentage of their income uh in taxes. So like we could pro we're probably playing around 30% 25 to 30%. People who are making a million dollars or more are paying more like 5%. And so if the people who have the lease pay the mo pay more and the people who have more pay less in a percentage- wise that is why it's an unfair tax structure. So there are um movements all around the country that are saying we need to change our tax structure so the least of these like the least of us the people who have the least are not basically like f like transferring our wealth over to people who already have so much. Does that make sense? >> Okay, stop. Now
071that was the answer to your question. If you want to then have a debate about fairness and well and tax codes, that's a different discussion that's not on the agenda and I'm not going to let it go any further than that. It it's a legitimate discussion for you to have. I don't argue that, but it's not what we're going to talk about tonight because it's 7:15 and I want to finish the agenda tonight. Is that fair? Thank you. Uh Jackie, >> when you're talking, am I not talking? Can you hear me? when you're talking to the representatives, um, if you could tell them that 45 million is 0.0075% of the 6 billion that we have in surplus and that that 6 billion is still even though, you know, stock market is crashing right now, that
0726 billion is still in funds that are making money. So, um I feel like letting them know numbers like that might at least give them >> they they they need they will be looking correctly and and that's the Bridgeport perspective and we are arguing the state perspective. So they'll be looking at at the whole state and we want them to see the whole state >> and I wish you know if I knew all the numbers I can add the 70 million from Hartford now >> we want to look at the whole >> talking >> I don't you're preaching to the choir with me you know >> saying like do they know these numbers >> do people know this like the public needs to know these numbers because I think if they realized how little there
073might be more of a push >> yeah I think that the more we educate the better. Absolutely. No, I not not not not anyone here the math man. >> I I fully agree because that 5% 6 billion is 300 million, >> right? >> Which is double what they were going to give us one year. >> Right. >> You said before Connecticut Lottery. >> Take the mic. Take the mic. Take the mic. what Steve uh talked about before about the Connecticut lottery. In 2024, I tried to do 2526 education, museums, and libraries got 27.9% through the whole state of Connecticut. So now, how much is that 27% divided by the big pie of everybody in Connecticut looking for to get money from education? So that's going to allow that down to very little to what actually
074is coming in. What they should do is put it in every state that's v uh that's doing gambling. They should keep in house, but it's not. It's going to go into the general fund and do it that way. But that's the higherups. But but that's what it was back in 2024. Well, it listen u the woman from school and state finance project and I discussed had a brief discussion at the end when I asked my question and she argued with me it's not a matter of revenue, it's a matter of political will. And that's really what it is. Our children are not a priority. That's really what it is. Albert, thank you. There's one thing I'm going to say. This is only the beginning. All these people, they are prepared very good because they know
075we strong here in Bridgeport. They know they watching us. They know everything. They call and all this rep and everybody up there. They know we going forward for Bris public school for our students, for our parents, for our staff. The only thing I can say do not give up. Let's have trying to work together as a family. Nothing is perfect. Things going up and down. As always say this in my meeting with good communications, you know, respect is a great successful. But we have to stay together, not not give up because it's a lot of things. They smile with you. They will kiss your hand because they want you be part of them and like to too much this when I see people they talk too much for me is too much western time. Let's
076go to the point because they really know what we want. They know what Bridgeport want and this is not for now. This is fighting for years for years be almost 20 years in the district. I see this fight but I see this fight more strong and remember Election is coming. They will call you this and this and this and this and that. Everybody know what's going on when election is coming you know. So we have to be strong you know together. I like I don't like to hurt promise. I'm going to promise you I'm going to do this to you. No let me see it. Do it. You say you're going to do it. You know just do it. when you somebody talk to me by mouth with your word I take that most seriously
077that a signature so we have you have to stay together you know don't give up and let's have a good communication because they are they're trying to be ready they think like a oh we got this oh don't worry we going to get them no they're not I'm very I'm very glad they hear us because they think that like we're not smart and we more of that especially we here for one for our children's. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Great. Um, so just if I can wrap up this section. Um, next week we'll have a a meeting for anyone that wants to come. Not necessarily we're going to do a big turnout, but this is more a planning, get down work and sort of talk through the details of the meeting. I will send out
078notice about that. Um, and it'll be again at 6 in room 305. Uh, unless people want to do it earlier. I the time doesn't matter to me. We had moved to 6:00 because of working people. Um so keep it at six. Uh yes. Yes. I I will have to set it up as a formal like subcommittee meeting. Um, so if you can sign on Oh, I don't know how you participate virtually unless you're uh we we haven't figured that wrinkle out, Jen. I only cheated with Katie because of her co. I gave her my laptop. Um, I don't know how to do that. Sorry, you can watch, but you can't, right? This is my expert. >> I have to turn to the expert. >> We'll speak with Jeff to see if it's possible. >> Huh?
079>> Jeff. We'll speak with Jeff to see if it's possible. >> Someone could call Jen >> on their phone. Um so uh but that'll then we'll we'll set that up at 6 again. Um the um the other student can get on. Yeah. >> Oh. Oh. And that is that true? >> Is it so the students the only students have gotten on like board meetings are like our our student reps and they are given the access to to join. So to so in order for a publicwide access to a meeting, we would have to speak with our IT director to see how that's possible. >> Specifically to generate password. >> Yeah. >> There's also the ability to add people. You go to people, there's usually a menu where you can add >> and so so if
080you're if you're opening it up to the public, you wanted to have that so and not just everyone has access to it. Um, so, so I know I know that there was a message like a town hall mentioned I believe for you or but there may be something but that will be it'll be guided through our IT department. >> Oh, you're not using your mic. Okay, >> good. So, maybe not for next week, but I think it's definitely something to consider an opportunity for the community to participate because for parents, it might be a little bit more difficult >> and with parents who have students then there sounds like there's a way. >> Yeah. >> Um Okay. So the um the item D on this agenda just to quickly go through this so that we
081can be done in five minutes. Um this is a a temp this is a template that will be available on the board of ed website. Um they've been doing this for the last month or so or more. Uh Tim and and John Carlo. Um this is a lobbying template. So if you want to write a letter, there's a Spanish and an English version. Um, and it will be available starting Monday for anybody that wants to send a letter to their state rep or state senator. Um, you have the list of both of them there. If you live in another district, you can use the same letter. Um, you just have to figure out how to send it to your state rep or state senator, which is easy enough through the Connecticut General Assembly website to
082figure out if you don't know who your state rep and state senator are where you live. Um, and it's just a, you know, a form letter to be used to speak to them. You can adapt it or adjust it to speak your mind about ECS in Bridgeport and why it's so important to you, but it's to give you something to work with to lobby them by mail or to use it, God bless you, to make a phone call. Uh, but that's also something we can start doing next week uh to argue. Uh, I'll be taking a look at it and working with Tim and John Carlo and we'll have it up next week for people to use to write or call their state reps and state senators on top of all these other activities that
083we're doing. If you look at the calendar I just mentioned to Katie um you'll see on here um uh I don't have All Day, which is the 28th. Uh, I didn't put it on there because it was not an activity we were working on, but given what Katie just said, oop. Yes, Katie. >> Uh, I just have comments for after, so go ahead and finish. >> Okay. Um, there is a tiein to All Kings Day on the 28th. Uh, no, a week from Saturday, uh, March 28th is All Day. We were trying to squeeze a meeting in before the Allings Day uh activity in Bridgeport, which traditionally has started at noon. Um the New Haven one is usually later in the afternoon. Um and other cities and towns do theirs at different times, but the
084Bridgeport one, which is usually on Fairfield A at the uh Fairfield Bridgeport town line uh over Ash Creek, it usually starts at noon. So, we were going to try and squeeze one in before that. Um but since it's not happening on that day, uh it sounds like there's a tiein that we can use um if forever it goes to that. And there's obviously according to Jim, there's a Westbrook one and a the New Haven one which is very big um among the ones in the state and the Stanford one which is a bigger one. Uh and the Harford one. >> The Harford one starts at 10. It's from 10 to 2. The Stanford one is from 12:00 to 2. The Danbury one is from 3:00 to 5:00. And the New Haven one is from 2:30
085to 5:30. Yes. >> On the new green. >> No. Kings day on on March on March 28th. >> Having trouble hearing, Kim? >> No, you said all. So, we were >> Oh, sorry. >> You said all kings day. >> The opposite of all kings. >> No kings. The opposite. >> Well, no. We're hitting a point in the world where it seems to be all kings all over the place. Um, thank you for correcting me. Um, no Kings Day on March 28th. Um, and then, uh, you'll see on April 1st and 2nd, I've mentioned before, on April 1st, the, uh, finance committee issues their report. Uh, on April 2nd, the, uh, uh, appropriations committee issues their report. Um, so those are the two days those two big committees issue their reports at the end of the
086month, uh, or beginning of April. On April 15th, uh we had uh down on the both the previous calendar and this one is tax day and there was going to be a Connecticut for all action. Um Katie, you want to elaborate now on what you all are talking about because we had been under the impression that there were going to be local actions all over the state. Um what do you seem to suggest something different now? I don't have all the details yet, but I do know there's going to be a press conference at the capital and then I think we wanted to try and turn it into a municipal lobby day focused on education. Um, so I you know that decision was made late last week. So like I I don't think we have
087many more details than that. N I I believe by the time we have our next meeting in two weeks, we'll have more details on it and I can share. >> Okay. Well, we'll share that with you when when we get the details. Um, we were thinking more of a local action day where we could do something down here in conjunction or coordination with, you know, activities all over the state. A little easier to organize something locally than up in Hartford, but we can do both. Um, we'll see when we find out. Um, on the 18th, we would be having our legislative meeting. Um, and then on the 22nd is Bridgeport Day up in the Capitol. Um, and so those three dates that would make for a busy week. um Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday. Um and then
088you'll see in May 6th is the last day of the legislature and on May 19th is the last day for Bridgeport City Council to present its budget to the mayor. And uh uh June 2nd is the last day the mayor could veto that budget uh if he didn't like what the council presented to him. Um I should point out I left I skipped over. I apologize. March 23rd, this Monday, is the day the mayor will present his budget. Uh so we'll find out what the mayor's budget is on Monday. >> Yes. Kim, >> there is always a big public hearing in the city council hall. >> Yes. >> Around the week that everybody's off. >> Well, and no. Well, and we we I had it on the old calendar. It's not on this one that
089we redid today. Uh but the week off for us is April for uh April 3rd through the 11th 12th >> somewhere around there. There's a big public hearing. >> Well, it would probably be the week after that, the 13th through the 17th. >> Yeah. So, I add that to that week >> would be the public hearing probably at the city council or the week after that, the 20th to the 24th. And one of those two weeks in the middle of April would be the big public hearing at the city council. >> Yeah. >> No, I didn't think there was a yet. Um, so in the middle of April and then two weeks in the middle of April would be a big city council uh public hearing on the school budget. >> So busy >> Sorry.
090>> No, go ahead. Busy April. I was just going to say, can some of these dates be put on a flyer so that like if we're parents picking kids up, we can like take a little extra time and maybe fly some of the parents? Um cuz like I don't this is great. This turnout's great, but like the only way we're going to build is if we're out there in the community over the next couple weeks talking to parents and getting parents and more kids and more teachers involved. And so I just how do we disseminate this information to more kids and the folks here can have more of those conversations? Um I think is is what I'm asking. >> Yep. I agree. >> Yeah, there's too much stuff going on on Parent Square. That's the
091problem. We're not getting a good uh return on that investment. But we can do it. We just got a paper would be a good thing to do >> when we get the I I think that once we get the hearing date for the public hearing which should be coming out after the mayor does his budget. >> Yeah, we should have the public hearing date for the city council within a week. I think at that point we want to put something out before the spring break. So, we'll work on that. Um, I think I mentioned everything that was in item D and Katie mentioned another thought which was to get some more information out to the parents. Anybody else have other thoughts? just have one thought which is um you know we have all these dates
092um but I think Albert actually said it very well which is the us talking to our co-parent for me for parents and grandparents um for the for you all that are teachers to co you know for your teachers and etc um those are the things that Um, believe it or not, the state reps and the state senators pay attention to they're going to hear about it. It's a small city, right? It's a really small city and um because all these things are happening, it's important we turn people out for them, but it's just as important that we have those conversations because they're going to be paying attention and hearing about them. And that creates a pressure and a push also. So, even if you're at the Xerox machine in your school and another teacher comes
093up, even if it's just a a pair, you know, four sentences. Hey, do you know what we're doing? Hey, do you know it's already working? Hey, do you know they're already talking about 100 to 150 million, not enough, but boy, it's only March, right? We got seven more weeks and they were only talking about a lot less, you know, a month ago. That's that's what we got to be doing now. all of it, right? >> Document is to document or somehow have talking points to parents of like what is exactly working because I think a lot of the times is that we have our parents, our students, our staff going out and advocating and doing all of this work and then unfortunately it doesn't come to fruition, right? And so there's that little bit of
094that fatigue. And so I think it's important to your point, Kim, is that we say like this is this is working. This is working and we we need you to come out to continue on that process. So >> yeah, we start hitting with our um PTSO uh presidents at the schools because they have the database of their parents because when they come in every night for their meetings, they sign in when they have it. So if we could get our our literature to them of what's going on, what we're doing here, they could do our blast for us, too. So we could see what our each school gives us a not um prior to the meeting. How many did you contact you know just a thought spoke to the superintendent about it um a couple
095days ago I spoke to Carly Roachberg about it day before yesterday. So we will work on that. Um it also would be good to work on it within the schools with the teachers and with the students um and with the parents. Uh, I know for instance, Jen and Marissa have a great relation with the PTSO president up in their school. So, that would be a good thing to work on all different angles that we can work on it. Albert, >> thank you. I'm working very close. >> I'm sorry, but I spoke to Albert about it too because I know he has extensive contacts in that area. >> Yeah, I did. I already talked to them very closely, you know, directly to them. I'm visiting the school and we have a good communication. So, I'm working
096with them. But one of the other thing that I like to know especially the BA the union stuff like that. I want to be sure your staff speak. I don't want this your staff be I you know I know how far they can go but I want you to be sure they know they they know we here to support them because I know they need help. Sometime they scared to speak but I know how far they can go because the union because the process the protocol and policy. I want they understand we all here together. They're not going to happen. I I would not allow something happen to those staff because they're very important for me. So I want you guys let them know they very free to speak. They know. So they part they
097they're part of this. That's why I want to be sure. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I just wanted to say as a rank and file dues paying member of the Bridgeport Education Association, I will advocate inside the BEA at every opportunity to take on this agenda. If our employer can take on this agenda, then why can't we, right? I mean, they're leading out in front of us. We shouldn't be afraid. If your boss says you go and do this and you're not willing to do it, then we have to think about that. Um, the one other that I said hold up on earlier is this thing on th next Thursday um at the library. Um, this is the meeting that Suganna didn't know she was being featured at. I made copies for anybody
098that wants to. Um, there's a QR code uh to scan. Um, you can scan. It says scan the QR code to uh register and submit questions. It is one of those ones where you submit the questions. It's being run by the League of Women Voters. Um, and I scanned and registered myself this afternoon. Uh, it did not let me submit a question. >> It just had me register. So, I'm registered, but it No, there was no space to submit a question. I thought there'd be a place where you could write a question, >> and I was going to submit a question. I saw your >> Oh, it was not that. It was not that. Um I wondered about that, but it was not that. Honest to God. But anyone that wants to I made copies
099for anyone that wants to take one. I would hope that uh you know, four or five of us could go. Uh it's going to be in the uh downtown library. Um so it's a public space. Um it it it um as I said was organized by uh um the uh Connecticut uh Charter School Association. Um but the u the registration form is through Connecticut lead the organization that also does a lot of charter school organizing and turns out a lot of people at uh public hearings. Um, so, uh, I don't know, uh, you know, but I intend to go I intend to ask a question. Um, uh, you know, submit a question, but it's the, you know, legal woman voters thing that Jim was talking about earlier where you write down your question and maybe
100your question gets asked, maybe it doesn't. Any other anything else? >> I'll take a motion. >> Yes. one on the on the just paying their fair share of fees. Just numbers wise approximately um people that make a million dollars or more pay less than 10% in taxes whereas folks like us between 50,000 and $200,000 a year pay between 30 and 40% um of their income in taxes. So just like thinking about the percentages like we are paying a lot more of our income towards taxes than the rich guard. Um, and then I also just want to flag that like I think something Albert said earlier resonated with me is that like this fight for education funding is a fight that our kids are in the middle of, but it is a fight between the local
101municipalities and the state. The state doesn't want to give funding because they feel like the city should be taking care of themselves. But the fact of the matter is some cities like Bridgeport and New Haven and Hartford and others like that don't have enough in property tax to be able to fully fund our schools in the way we want to. And so when we ask the state for funding, they say, "No, no, no. you should be able to do it yourself. And so our kids are getting caught in the middle of an administrative, you know, power fight. And that's not fair. And we should just be centering that, I think, as we go into this. And so I just those are the two last thoughts I have. >> Um to add a fact on that
102one. Um, just to be clear, um, to her credit, the woman from school and state finance, um, the one thing that Bill Finch, who I've known since Katie and his oldest son, played te-ball together, um, Chris Finch. Um, >> uh, well, not youngest son. Sorry, youngest son, not oldest. Um, Peter's the oldest. Uh but uh and actually Anony's older brother was on the team too. Um >> coach, >> but uh the one thing we always agreed on is the state of Connecticut's dependence on property tax is the root of the problem. Um and everybody sort of agrees on that. Um we all agree that if we weren't dependent on property tax, we would be in a different position. Uh and it is that dependent on property tax. So a city like Hartford, New Haven or
103Bridgeport are less than 20 square miles less than 20 square miles of of of real estate. So then when you exempt property tax for schools, hospitals, churches, and all things like that, 25% of the land in Bridgeport is tax exempt. We have a program called pilot payment in lie of taxes that supposedly reimburses communities for those properties the state is exempted from taxes but it pays a small percentage of what we would be able to tax if they were taxable land. It doesn't reimburse us for the tax income that we lost because the state said we can't tax them. Um, and so that's Bridgeport. Hartford and New Haven, 50% of the land in those two cities are taxexempt. So less than 10 square miles of land in Hartford and New Haven are taxable. Less than
10415 miles in Bridgeport are taxable land. Where are we supposed to get the money to run our cities? And that's a problem. So, it's a it's a it's a messed up system and the way to re to fix it is to redistribute wealth and that's what the state is supposed to be doing and is not doing because the rich and and and to wax for a second in honor of my father who was a Republican econ economics teacher in college he said you have two ways to do that in most states the county government and the state government. But in Connecticut, they got rid of the county government just to avoid this in the early 60s just to protect their small towns. So, >> we got a we have an injustice that needs to be
105fixed >> for our kids. >> Albert, I'll take a motion to adjurnn, please. Thank you. All in favor? I Have a good night. I will see those who come next week. Thanks for