In-Person Regular Meeting of the Bridgeport Board of Education Mon 3/9/2026

001with the student representative reports. Um we have one in person and one online it looks like. So, we'll start in person. Mr. Trejo, mic. Uh Mr. Trejo, can you pass your mic to Okay. Hello, everybody. My name is Christian Bica, and I am the student representative for Central High School. I am pleased to share some updates on the progress taking place at our school this past month. In February, our school held a month-long celebration of Black History Month, concluding with a large assembly, which was held last Friday. The event featured guest speakers, performers, and student speakers who helped who helped highlight the importance of the month. Also, several of our history classes collaborated on projects that were displayed throughout the library as part of a gallery walk, allowing students to learn and reflect as they

002explored the exhibits. Athletics have also been a major point of pride for our school. Both our boys and girls basketball teams qualified for the state playoffs after tremendous seasons. Our cheerleading team also recently competed in the CIA state competition. As winter sports wrap up, we are now preparing for the spring sports season with teams like volleyball currently holding sign-ups and tryouts. We have also been focusing on student safety. Recently, our school has been hosting safe driving presentations from the Save a Life Tour to address dangers of texting and distracted driving. These students, like I, were able to participate in a driving simulator to better understand the risks involved. Looking ahead, counselors and administrators are currently working with students on scheduling and course selections for the 2026-2027 school year. Counselors are also meeting with students to

003help them plan balanced course loads and prepare academically for the upcoming year. As we move into March, our school is celebrating Women's History Month while continuing attendance awareness initiatives. And as the co-president of Interact Club, we recently organized another successful collection for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, helping support members of our local community. Students, including underclassmen, are also preparing for upcoming standardized testing, including the PSAT and SAT. Many students are using programs such as Reading Plus and Khan Academy to help strengthen their skills in advance of in advance of these exams. Additionally, on February 17th, 2026, I had the opportunity to be part of a small group of students from Central who attended an ad hoc assembly meeting in Hartford to advocate for updated funding for Bridgeport Public Schools so that we can better support our

004students and staff and everyone part of the community. That was a tremendous experience. I thank everyone for putting it together. We are also proud to share that several of our students were recently selected by our Advanced Placement Chemistry and Physics teacher, Mrs. Jill Vitale, to participate in the Yale University School Olympiad for high school students interested in STEM and willing to partake in it. Finally, senior senior milestones are well underway. Senior portraits have been distributed to all the students, and we are currently finalizing purchases of caps and gowns as of Class of 2026 prepares for graduation. Thank you. Thank you. And then we have Deborah Braga Silva on line. Good afternoon. I'm representing Bridgeport Military Academy and I'm a junior. So, I'm going to provide an update on several important events, achievements, and instructional initiatives

005taking place at Bridgeport Military Academy over past several weeks. On February 19th, 2026, our Navy JROTC Battalion held its formal change of command ceremony. During the ceremony, several cadets earned well-deserved promotions. Cadet Lieutenant Junior Adrian Shakespeare was promoted to Cadet Executive Officer and assumed the role of Chief of Staff. Cadet Lieutenant Junior Juvacia Wilson was promoted to Cadet Lieutenant Cadet Lieutenant and became the Battalion Commander. Cadet Master Chief Petty Officer Zahia Hall was promoted to the Cadet Ensign and stepped into the position of Executive Officer. Additionally, Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Chloe Lopez was was promoted to Cadet Master Chief Petty Officer and became the Senior Enlisted Leader. The ceremony reflected the professionalism, discipline, and leadership of the leadership development central to our JROTC program. On February 27th, 2026, we probably held our In It

006to Win It celebration recognizing outstanding members of our community. Adrian Shakespeare as the student of the quarter, Mr. Hanif as teacher of the quarter, and Chief Kamala as community member of the quarter. Each of those those individuals exemplifies hard work, leadership, and positive contribution to the BMA community. Several weeks ago and again last week, groups of BMA students traveled to Hartford to speak as part of the statewide education hearing. Five students participated last week and two more went earlier, representing the school with maturity and civic engagement. Many students and staff also submitted written testimony as part of the class assignment, demonstrating strong understanding of government process and advocacy advocacy skills. On March 5th, our First Res- Responders Academy held promotion ceremony recognizing four students for successful completing their requirements and advancing to the next level

007within the program. The ceremony highlighted their dedication to the public service careers and their growing skill sets. On March 7th, five Navy cadets traveled to New London High School to complete to compete in the NJROTC Brain Brawl, an an academically rigorous competition based on knowledge, strategy, and teamwork. Our cadets represented Bridgeport Military Academy with honor, discipline, and pride. As we approach statewide testing, we are now 5 weeks away from SAT and PSAT. The students have been engaged in weekly practice using Khan Academy and Reading Plus to strengthen their foundation skills and improve reading and math. Staff have been closely supporting students to ensure meaningful academic gains. Additionally, we are now in week three of BMA's after-school enrichment ASE program. Swimming and lifeguard lessons take place every Thursday, offering students opportunity to build confidence, development, life-saving

008skills, and engage in healthy physical activity beyond the school day. >> [sighs] >> Thank you for your continued support of the students, staff, and program of Bridgeport Military Academy. Those recent weeks have been highlighted with strength, dedication, and growth of our school. Okay, thank you. Bye. Thank you. We have one more in person. Can you pass your mic over to I got Mr. Traver? Um So, in May, our Harding drama club is putting on its first full-scale theater production called She Kills Monsters. The performances are Friday, March 13th and Saturday, March 14th. And it's open to the community. And the tickets are $5. We also have HOSA is sponsoring a karaoke night on March 19th from 4:00 to 6:00 and the theme is glow in dark and the tickets are $5. We have our medical

009and forensic classes that will be um visiting the University of Bridgeport um cadaver lab to get some hands-on experience on experience and connection with their future career paths. And we have our girls basketball team who also made it to state for the first time in the last 9 years. We have Rihanna Robles, a star player on the team, who received an honor as an athlete of the week for the state of Connecticut. And she is a leader and we're also proud of her for her hard work. And we will also have um We have our Harding debate team who won the Black History Month debate. And this happened um in February. We have our seniors receiving their college decisions. And our principal, Mr. Thompson, and the senior committee are planning on um welcome recognizing the

010seniors who will be committing to college um on May 1st. We will have a guest speaker and the auditorium and a slideshow with all the seniors. And finally, we have a senior committee organizing a couple of fundraising to raise money for the senior trip which will be um around May and June. Thank you. Thank you to our students. Um I also want to thank those of the students, I know there's some here who actually went to the capital last week and the couple weeks before um for your testimonies. I know that was mentioned in the reports, but thank you um for coming out and supporting us or supporting yourselves, I guess. Um So, we'll move on to public comment. We have one person today, Jennifer Gaines. You have 3 minutes, thank you, buddy. Can you

011turn your mic on? Yeah. Still not working. Oh, is it working? Okay, perfect. Okay. Well, good evening, board members. My name is Jennifer Gaines and I'm a parent of two young children in the Bridgeport school district. I've spoken here before um and it was probably in opposition of something or criticism um but today I just wanted to come forward to say thank you. Thank you for your leadership you have shown in putting Bridgeport's children first and in continuing to stand up for what is right. First, I want to recognize the Bridgeport students who spoke so powerfully at the education committee's public hearing last week in Hartford. It takes tremendous courage to sit before legislators and advocate for what is just, but you did so with so much poise and conviction. So, I'm here to say

012that our Bridgeport community sees you, we hear you, and we stand with you. So, please keep that pressure on and keep advocating for what is right because your voices really matter. And Dr. Avery, thank you for your steady leadership, especially stepping into your role after such abrupt and turbulent transition. It takes a lot to be in your seat, really it does. And for someone who is still here in the trenches with us, it shows incredible dedication and commitment. So, thank you. To the board, thank you all for your countless hours of volunteerism and for your unwavering commitment to show our children what's most important and keeping their interest of our students, our staff, and our faculty first. And to our teachers of Bridgeport, there will never be enough words of thanks. You show up for

013our children every single day, sometimes working extra hours and facing challenges that many of us never see or hear of, but you still give it your best. And as a mother, I am deeply grateful for the love that you pour into your profession and for all the efforts you make to ensure that our children receive a good education. So, please don't give up on us. We will keep fighting for you. And finally, to any of the elected officials listening, either local or in Hartford, we are paying attention. The overwhelming response from Bridgeport and our surrounding communities should speak more loudly than any words can ever say. As I said in my testimony before the education committee, the people spoke. And we sincerely hope that you heard us and that you chose to you choose to

014do the right thing, that you invest in our children and you stop with the political excuses and choose to be on the right side of history and finally show up for our children in Bridgeport. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Gaines. To the approval of minutes from the regular meeting on February 9th, 2026. Is there a motion? Moved by Mr. Seconded by Mr. Bennehan. Is there any further discussion on that? All in favor, say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Abstain. Mrs. Kawakami abstains. That passes. Next we'll have the chairman's report. So, you've all received board members you received emails forwarded from the the deputy commissioner. The State Department of Education has communicated updates with us. They have been shared with you. Um in regards to the board, our update is before we can post for

015a permanent superintendent, the board must update its bylaws and administrative policies related to the role and evaluation of the superintendent. Once those updates are approved, the board must formally notify the State Department of Ed. Completing this work will demonstrate that the board has taken the necessary steps to operate efficiently and effectively in support of a permanent superintendent. The State Department of Education has also um selected David Irwin who's on the technical assistance team. We've all met him to serve as the commissioner's designee to assist us in the development of the search criteria and the implementation of the superintendent search process once those requirements are met. Um I personally reached out to Mr. Irwin to schedule a meeting so we can begin discussing this um the next steps and ensure the board is moving forward in

016alignment with those expectations. Good. Um if board members have questions related to the superintendent search, I'm asking that you share them in the search committee um email um or we can schedule an actual search committee to meet um and discuss this in further detail. Um to respect the current leadership, um I asked that we're not going to discuss this um in too many details right now, but rather within a search committee. Um on a separate note, I do want to um reiterate that I want to uh give thanks to our students, our teachers, administrators, parents, and our partners, community partners, who took um the time over the past month to travel to the capital or um provide testimony online in support of education funding. We had three committee uh public hearings that um many people

017spoke at. And um it was really inspiring to see finally see a long list of Bridge porters um testifying and um submitting the testimony as well to ensure that our voices are here in Bridgeport. To our students, um a special thank you. Um reiterating what Ms. Gaines said, your testimonies were personal, thoughtful. Um you represented us with uh courage and eloquence um as you shared your experiences and answered questions from legislators that probably shouldn't have been directed towards you, but um you answered them gracefully. So, um I know they're not in the room right now, those students, but I do want to thank them. Uh I'd also want to pause and say Mr. Daniels has joined online. Um lastly, um board members, I share with you a handout, and if you're not in person, I'll

018email it to you. I was in a professional development last week, and um it's a budget resource that I think would be helpful to for some of us um as we get, you know, through this budget season. It's um kind of includes a list of like guiding questions that you can um use when we're reviewing the budget um to consider how it aligns with um our goals. And um it's not really for the board, just simply a resource that I I found for us. Um and so, if you use it, great, and if you don't, okay. Um but we we can certainly um you know, maybe use it for uh the upcoming season. All right. Um I'll take any questions. I don't think I have anything else. Uh Mr. Sikorski. Yeah, let's see. How How

019to how to say this delicately? Um the state is put at a severe disadvantage in the superintendent search. It's also put Dr. Avery at a dis- disadvantage as well because he's still in flux. Um this is not the conversation we came out of the state with. They have no right to stop our superintendent search, but if this board does not want to move forward with the search until we complete it. By the time we complete it, it will be way too far into the season to even start an effective search. Um if the board would be able to ask Dr. Avery if he would be willing to sign a contract for one additional year and we start the search next year cuz we shouldn't be rushing the search. So he has So he knows we

020have secure employment for at least the next whole year. Um and keep the title interim or whatever for the time being knowing he's got a secure employment and then he'll have a shot for the permanent superintendent. I think that might be beneficial cuz we have seems effectively been stopped from doing our due diligence. But we have not been stopped and there's nothing to say we can't extend the interim superintendent's contract for a year. So I don't know if anybody would be interested in having that conversation in the future. I just want to put that out there because it seems to be a solution that we need to do because it would be irresponsible at this point to keep going until we get the bylaws done which is going to be somewhere in June and every

021single superintendent will have a job by then and in the interim Dr. Avery could also be looking for a job and land somewhere there and then we're going to be up Poos Creek and I'm going to put that out there for the state of Connecticut, for the commissioner, for the governor, anybody who's listening. You're making Bridgeport suffer with your actions. We need to move on. We need to have security for our district. Thank you. I think any further discussion on this should go into our committee. Um so that you know um again respecting current leadership and our process here. Mr. Traynor. Microphone. Just so you get a When will our committee be meeting to discuss that? >> We can schedule something. Okay, I I would suggest that urge us to meet ASAP cuz one I

022think that's a worthwhile discussion to have. Um two um >> [clears throat] >> and did we did we get an answer on the search committee the search firm? Not yet. So we can discuss that in the committee. Um Cuz I think both of those things need to be discussed ASAP as soon as possible. Um with uh our technical advisor uh present would be fine with me. Uh but I think that these are all matters that we should resolve a- as soon as possible um for all the reasons Mr. Sacal articulated. Um and primarily out of uh um respect to uh um Miss Dr. Avelin. Thank you. Um Madam Chair. Mr. Bennehan. Okay. >> Mhm. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I agree with what Mr. Sacal had to say about his comment in in this time

023because I'm going to ask a board member I'm not I don't I don't know what we waiting for to search and do the process and whoever's going to be that day whoever's going to be we have to do it as soon as possible. Why? Because I don't know why another town they really have the superintendent that they really do the job in that area for the short time they do it more than other superintendent that we have another town and I can challenge anyone say it's it's not true. So it's time to begin process. I know it's going to be in another committee and I hope it's soon because I don't know why the state is holding when the state they don't hold another town do the job. So, it's time to keep forward because

024it's about the kids and I know that everyone is doing extra miles and don't forget nobody that he puts on on his side his family to take care of Bristol Public School. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll send out possible dates. It's a tentative notice so because it's a search committee so it could be a Zoom or a Teams meeting or in person within the next week we'll have something. All right, any further questions on any other aspect of that report? Ms. Westerman Ramirez. I had a quick clarifying question about around the bylaws. So, initially the requested bylaws were the 2000 series and 3000 series. Is that still the same? Yeah, the bylaw administration the administration policies. Yes. Okay. The regulations um uh the 3000 series. Thank you. So, I just want to make sure that

025I my hand get acknowledged cuz I was waving at you and I thought you saw me so I apologize. I just want to make sure because everything that you said I wanted it put you to that to let's pick a dates. So, you said it so that's why I just want to make sure that I I will be emailing to because we need dates so I appreciate it, Madam Chair. That's what I was going to ask. Let's make dates now but you're willing to do it so >> your emails. Look forward to it. Perfect. I love that, I got that. Hold on for a second. All right, moving on. Uh committee reports um the operations committee met last Wednesday the 4th um we discussed the playground at Dunbar which will be on the agenda today.

026One of the playgrounds at Dunbar um looking for approval for a truck And then the other item we just discussed uh just an update on the current budget. Um the current budget update and our next meeting will be April 1st 2026. Any referrals Miss Esty Marah has? Um I have a referral for the operations committee to review the transportation contract related to um the cameras on the buses in hopes of determining if we can get some of that money for BOE so we can fund our our transportation. See no other questions, referrals. Um Mr. Tray with Instruction and Support Services Committee. Microphone. The Instruction and Support Services Committee was um sort of snowed out. Um we deferred the meeting in favor of the advocacy ad hoc advocacy committee meeting last or Wednesday before um and

027so we're going forward with the regular schedule for this month which will be in 2 weeks. The fourth Wednesday. Um so I have nothing new to report on. Any referrals? Sorry I cut you off. No. No, I was just It It doesn't matter. I'm I'm going to be sitting down with Miss Hughes for the items that I have on the agenda for this past month. I don't know of anything that was urgent. Um We are We did We did have AI in and um um I'm blanking now. Yes, cell phones. Which is a hot ticket item up in Hartford on the agenda. Um to discuss just simply for discussion and then there was some other items that Ms. Hughes had. And then I had been referred um uh another holiday from Mr. Sikolovic and um

028Ms. Esther Marin Mendez had referred an item when I have to go back and refresh my memory. All righty. >> What that was, but I have it. We are policy committee. I think earlier you confirmed it's the Oh, sorry. Mr. Medina. >> You said fourth Wednesday, correct? Yes, sir. March 25th, okay. I want to make sure. The next meeting March 25th. The next meeting is March 25th for the instructional support services. Mr. Wooten, I don't see him online, so we'll we'll come back to that. Um ad hoc committees, uh Mr. Traber. Well, we've had a a very good month so far. Um we had our second ad hoc committee meeting as I said in order to accommodate the snow um to when the I instru- ISS meeting should have been on the fourth Wednesday in

029February. Uh and as you've reported alluded to, uh we had uh a tremendous showing uh on the 17th for the uh appropriations committee hearing. Uh tremendous showing of Bridgeporters and especially our students. A great group of students up there on the 17th for appropriations. Um and then again last week for the um uh education committee meeting. Uh in between we had uh the finance committee meeting the pre- preceding Friday. Um so we've just done really well. Um I calculated that at least uh no more than 10% of people testifying last Wednesday were from Bridgeport. Um, and so Bridgeport has definitely made a mark. Uh, and on top of it I you've made reference, but I want to underscore uh, how impressive the Bridgeport students have been uh, in these hearings. Um, both in terms of

030the quality of their testimony, their presence at the hearings. Um, it's just been really you know, they they're their their demeanor, their their testimony has been incredibly impressive. Um, and people have noted it. Um, and then last week as you've alluded to when um, some state rep from districts that shouldn't be asking these questions decides to go after a student instead of asking the superintendent or a member of the board she was severely reviewed rebuked by the mayor of New Haven, various members of us. Um, Ms. Gaines went after her at about 1:30 in the morning. Um, uh, you know, just about everybody pointed out to her how inappropriate her behavior was. Um, and I just was amazed at how many people and yet the students as was pointed out held their own. Um, and

031given that what she did was inappropriate. Um, so uh, Bridgeport really stood out that way. Um, and Dr. Avery and I really did have a good time watching it because only one student was supposed to testify and the students took it upon themselves to rotate all four of them through. Um, and the organizer from New Haven looked at us like what's going on here and we said we can't stop them. We're not going to put a hook out there. Um, and they really did a good job all four of them. So, it was it was quite, um, you know, it was a a nice little bit of work on their own. So, I I think it's really impressive, and we have a lot more work to do. Um, we're meeting again this Thursday. Um, we've

032put out notice, we'll put formal notice out tomorrow. I'm going to be talking to Daniel about that. I put out informal notice to people. Um, we have, uh, uh, we had met, uh, um, we can have to go, uh, to movie meeting with local our local delegation, uh, soon. Um, the, uh, April [snorts] 1st, the finance committee issues its report on new revenue, which we'll be talking about later today. April 2nd, the appropriations committee issues its report. Um, so, those are the two big reports that come out, um, and really at the end of this month. Um, and, uh, then they spend another month all arguing about the legislature's report and what the governor wants. And in the middle of that, we'll be pushing and prodding and shoving and urging and cajoling and doing everything

033we can to influence the debate that goes on between those two major forces. Um, and so, that's really what our job is. Um, so, uh, towards the end of this month, we want to be influencing the key players on those committees before they issue their reports. Um, and that's what we'll be talking about later this this week when we meet. I think that's Any referrals? >> pretty much covers it. Um, okay, thank you. Mr. Ben Hand, do you have any updates from the ad hoc for facility master plan? I'm not really, Madam Chair. I believe everything was very clear. I know Mr. Garcia is going to present all the information about tonight what we have in the meeting. Thank you. Any referrals for that committee? All right. Moving on. We'll go on to the GATE

034report. Mrs. Estrada Medina. Thank you. So, for GATE, there have been the GATE Day on the Hill that is scheduled for March 11th, 2026 from 8:30 to 11. Um I can send out the link. You We all should have gotten a registration link if you you're able to attend. Um this month or message Danielle and she can help us register. Um March is also board member appreciation month. So, I want to extend thanks to all our fellow board members for all the work and that they do. Um March 5th is was Read Across America Day. So, there's suggestions to go into the classroom and read books with the kids. Um the GATE journal we I believe many of us actually got it physically today. Um that's out so we can read it. And then the

035last bit that I have is that there's a finance webinar series. It's a three-part series. There was one took place in January, another in February, and the very last one actually takes place March 19th. It's usually during lunchtime and it's all related to finance, how to um how a budget finance budget proposal is developed, how it gets processed, and then eventually how it's um how we can provide oversight. And that's all. Thank you. We'll move on to the superintendent's report. >> Um chair. Oh, yes, Mr. Traylor. Could I add something that just occurred to me? Sure. Um for those of us that were up in Hartford the other day uh last week, we had a we were we we had a session in the speaker's conference room with the Bridgeport delegation. Initially, we were meeting

036with um representative uh Felipe, but over time, other members of the delegation joined us. I and I just should add that at some point, uh representative Staffstrom joined us. And was just could having trouble holding himself back to tell us that he had had a meeting with the governor's office that day, earlier in the day, and the governor was moving. It's sort of the way he described it. Um and he could barely contain himself with the excitement that the governor was moving. Um now, they didn't say anything more than that, but he was just so excited to say that. Anthony, you were there, and I mean, it was just this like, "Oh my god, I can't believe it. The governor's moving on this issue." Um didn't get any details, but it's just this is we're

037having an impact. And that's really what I would just sort of said earlier. I apologize, but it's just you keep pushing and pushing and pushing cuz we're having an impact. Sorry. All righty. Thank you. We'll go on to the superintendent's report. Victory brief. Thank you, ma'am chair. Uh good evening, everyone. I have a couple of dis uh talking point brothers I'm going to be emphasizing during my report. Again, um this month is board recognition uh month for our board members, and I wanted to kind of take this moment to recognize the board for their hard work. And so, I would like for everybody to join me and you know, recognizing our board for their hard work. I know there's a lot of hours, you know, no pay, but we appreciate what you guys have done.

038We've come full circle as a district, you know, under the leadership of the board. So, we're looking forward for great things to happen. Um in addition to this, uh our current year calendar update, one of the things I think there's been I think it's been getting a lot of phone calls, emails regarding what are we going to do about the makeup days. And so, tonight we are presenting the approval of our current year's calendar update to account for the snow days that we had to miss school for. Families and staff have been anticipating this adjustment as they begin planning for spring and summer breaks. So, we appreciate the board's timely consideration uh as one of the agenda items for tonight's meeting. The 26th and 20 2026-2027 school calendars also going to be we'll be seeking

039approval for that calendar this year as well. Finalizing next year's calendar now provides our staff, families, and community partners with the advanced notice they need to efficiently plan for the year ahead. In addition to that, the chair talked a little bit about policy updates, and that's been a real focus of not only my team assisting the board in development of policies, but series 6000, 9000, and some of the two and 3000 policies. We're bringing forward revisions of the 6000 and 9000 series this evening. These updates are essential to strengthen our internal processes and maintaining compliance with state expectations. I wanted to extend my sincere thank you to the policy committee for their collaboration, commitment, and efficiency in helping us refine and streamline that work. Uh and again, we had a lot of conversation about the

040advocacy. Uh our students were amazing. Uh it was really great for me to have an opportunity to spend time with them. Uh a lot of them were nervous before they happened, but when they got on when they got on stage, they performed and it was like they were like experts up there. Uh very articulate, very poised. Uh I had a lot of superintendents and people uh in Hartford that day those days that came up to me and told me how great they were. And so, as a superintendent, that's one of the best things you could ever have when people come and talk to you about your students and what they do and how they uh you know, carry themselves. So, again, thank you again. Uh and that's very, very important for us. I think we

041have a video that we wanted to share with you as well. Sam? Hi, my name is Anjum Ara Chowdhury and I am a senior at Fairchild Wheeler. >> [music] >> I'm here today to advocate for the funding for Bridgeport public schools, specifically the education cost saving [music] grant. That grant kind of pours into education and it needs to be reevaluated to include a higher foundational cost as well as like remember that Bridgeport is a community that has a lot of like need-based children. So, we would need more funding. Um hi, my name is Delani Shepherd. I'm a junior at Central Magnet and I'm here to advocate for increased funding for Bridgeport public schools. I've lived in Bridgeport my entire life, so I've seen the effects. Um and I feel that there are a lot of

042individuals that need the support and the the in order to prosper in the future. [music] My name is Jared Abuhaikah. I'm from Bridgeport Military Academy and I've come here to advocate for uh Bridge- the Bridgeport education system funding and just to share a few experiences that I've had from BMA. As you can see, we This is an exciting day for Bridgeport Public Schools. We've had student voice, uh as you just heard, that to come to Hartford to to advocate for uh funding for visual public schools. Uh the students have a very passionate opportunity to to give their testimonies uh this this afternoon >> [music] >> uh to talk a little bit about the need and the services that, you know, have been taken away over the last couple of years for Bridgeport Public Schools. That's

043That's the short version. There's a longer version that going to be promoted in social media this afternoon after this meeting. Uh we're going to give you a a little taste of what happened and what they what what kids were I have Mr. Feeney is going to come up to introduce a couple of students uh and uh you can bring them up and I want to kind of give them an opportunity to kind of have a face to the names. Can you introduce yourself and Uh good good evening. I'm uh Jason Feeney, the assistant principal at Fairchild Wheeler Campus. And with me I have Izrael Prevail. I did ask a couple of other students to come, but they were unable to on a little bit of short short notice. Um but but really the past two

044events that we were able to come down, I brought about 15 to 16 students collectively and encourage a bunch of others to uh come come down on even other other ones and just to utilize their their voice. Um I had some as young as the 10th grade and then as old as 18 plus year year years old and even those that are here um serving on the Board of Ed uh student reps. Your voice matters. As you know, you're even though you're a student, your voice matters. You're you're a powerful voice. Your your your your voice echoes. We hear you and Hartford hears you. The the state hears you. And that's my I've been trying to encourage my students that you you may be one, but your one voice could be the one voice that

045is the one that is heard. And so don't feel shy that your one voice is just the one one voice cuz that's the one that may be the one that's needed. And so that has been my that has been my message. So I'll let Israel Prevail share his experiences the past two times and he's also been a member of the ad hoc advisory advocacy meetings as well. Um my name is Israel Prevail. I'm a senior at Fred D. Wheeler. Um my experiences have been immensely rewarding and so far to the wisdom that they provided of public policy and public speaking alongside advocating specifically from the ad hoc committees. I've been granted a multi-faceted education that I couldn't have asked to be provided greater than than here. I want to thank thank Mr. Dr. Versavory and

046Mr. Truber. Traber. Traber. Traber. Thank you. Um it was a great experience the first time we really rallied together the whole district and it was lovely to see all students come together in such an intellectual way. Not only using the pathos, but also the logos to attack the not attack, but to persuade the representatives. Um and it's important that we keep our our foothold. We need to we need to stay in our efforts in besieging the state until we get what we're not only what we should be granted, but what we're entitled to as per the ECS's language. Um so I had a great experience and I'm sure the other students will talk that they had a great experience and I thank you. Could you could you share with the community your plans for when

047you get out of high school? What's happening? Um I'm in Army Reserve I'm in I'm in the Army Reserves as of now. I finished basic training over summer. So this summer I will be going to AIT Advanced Individual Training to learn how to be a paralegal for the for the United States Army. Um I'm in the Army Reserves so I will be a full-time student part-time soldier. I will be majoring in accounting and minoring in economics. And alongside that I will eventually be a politician God willing. Go ahead. Good practice. Awesome. Congratulations. I have a couple more things for you. We also had a notable engagement recently involving the community partners. We we had about 15 16 community partners that met with me for the purpose of this meeting. We really tried to make sure

048that they have a deeper understanding of the current needs of the district. I provided them with an overview of our current budget proposals that we presented to the board. I wanted them to be able to ask me personal you know internal questions about what we needed what they needed from the school district and what we needed from them. And so we really pushed the advocacy piece for them to step on step step in the game with us to fight this fight with us. And so I had a great turnout was very very appreciative of the community partners. Looking forward for great things to happen. Carly and her team did a great job of of rallying the troops and the more the more we more people that we get engaged in this in this fight the

049better. I think that's that's really been the the focal point for the last couple of months here is to really making sure that we making sure that that the clarity is given to the community members as they help us to fight the fight. Uh in addition to that, as you see, there was a trophy right there. Where did it go? Uh and um I wanted to kind of congratulate Ron Repice and the Debate League. Uh they went up to um Boston. Uh they they received fourth place uh at the Boston Debate Tournament. Uh and these these students was the first time that they were debating. Uh and a lot of the kids in Boston public schools had a lot of uh experience in debating. Uh and so I just kind of wanted to kind of,

050you know, uh say congratulations. They gave the trophy to me to to put in my office for everybody to see. And so I think it's really really important that we we highlight them. Uh Ron Repice has been very instrumental in building debate and debate leagues. Uh we got a $75,000 grant uh from the state, uh you know, regarding to help support the debate league. Uh and so he's doing a wonderful job and kids are are grabbing hold to it and they're they're really enjoying this thing. And so we're getting first time debaters in uh in in the in the league and trying to make sure that they're they're they're equipped to doing really really great things for our kids and for the district. And so again, we thank Ron and uh and his sponsors and

051uh and also the teachers that are coaching those students as well. So again, uh that ends my uh superintendent report and I'll take any questions. Mr. Traynor. Yeah, yeah, I I just want to I don't normally do this, but I believe Senator Kek Carwil Cox was a part of that, too. And credit should be given. I should Senator uh Wilcox was a very very instrumental in getting those funds for us. >> with us on the because he stopped, too. It Thank you. Mr. Scallon. Yeah, I just want to touch upon something. I just discovered as far as clarity around the budget. School and State Finance came out today with the projected projected increases based on SBOs SB7 and less than expected because of drop in enrollment. We got to check the numbers to make sure

052they're accurate, but I got a response that the looks like it less than $6 million rather than 18 if we got the same enrollment. So, I sent an email to both you and Mr. Quo to check it out so hopefully going to We I think it's working on the numbers. And and our and our enrollment did decline a little bit. I'm not for sure if exactly. 5730? But um But yeah. Right. Yes, so so I did send you and Mr. Quo an email with the information I got from the School and State Finance so we need to get that number as soon as possible we know exactly where we're at and what we need to do. >> I'll I'll take a look at that and then he and I will will dive into it and

053we'll kind of give you a report on that. >> And I know it's a little late for referrals but I just got the information and I'd like to refer it to the as well. Any other questions for Dr. Avery? Um I just want to acknowledge Mr. Woodson Woodson has joined um call online. Um Seeing no other questions, we'll move on to new business. Um the first item on the agenda is the approval of the 2026-2027 healthy food certification. I know Mr. Steel is online. Yeah. Hi, good evening. Um My name is Kioma Steel, director of food and nutrition. Um what I have is the healthy food certification for the 2026-2027 school year. We require the board to recite vote one on page two and um agree and then on page three they would we would

054need you to recite the combined beverage and food exemptions. Um Thank you. Madam Chair. Yes. Do we need to read vote one, two, and three or just Vote one and then vote and then and then on page three the combined vote. So, we just need to read the first one and then And I move I move Is this properly done? Yes. >> Mr. Seal. I move pursuant pursuant to CGS section 10-21-SF 5F, sorry. 10-215F the Bridgeport Board of Ed certifies that all food items offered for sale to students in the schools under its jurisdiction and not exempted from the Connecticut nutrition nutrition standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education will comply with the Connecticut nutrition standards during the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. This certification shall include all food

055offered for sale to students separately from reimbursable meals at all times and from all sources including but not limited to school stores vending machines, school cafeterias, culinary programs, and any fundraising activities on school premises sponsored by the school or non-school organizations and groups. Do you second? Second, Ms. Estela Jimenez. Any debate? All in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? With your better hands abstaining, that passes. Can we read the second motion? Um I move the Bridgeport Board of Ed will allow the sale to students of beverages not listed in section 10- Pause. Um it's actually the one below that one. The combined. Yeah. My mistake. I thought you said both three. Mr. Steel, to confirm, is the combined one? It's the combined. Apologies. Thanks. I I'll start over. Um I'm I

056move the Bridgeport Board of Ed will allow the sale to students of food items that do not meet the Connecticut nutrition standards and beverages not listed in section 10-20-221Q of the Connecticut General Statutes provided that the following conditions are met. One, the sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend. Two, the sale is at the location of the event. And three, the food and beverage items are not sold from a vending machine or school store. An event is an occurrence that involves more than just a regularly scheduled practice, meeting, or extracurricular activity. For example, soccer games, school plays, and interscholastic debates are events, but soccer practices, play rehearsals, and debate team meetings are not. The regular school day is the period from midnight

057before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. Location means where the event is being held and must be the same place as the food and beverage sales. Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. Seconded by Mr. Medina. Any debate? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Mr. Bennington abstains. Thank you, Mrs. Deal. Thank you. Next we have the approval of the contract here. I started for you. Beyond. John, I started it for you. Um Next we have the approval of the contract with Kaufman for the playground replacement at Dunbar School, Mr. McCarville. I'd like to make a motion. Been moved by Mr. Medina. Mr. Sekalec seconds it. Is there anything you want to say since you're here? >> [laughter] >> Any further a question for Mr. McCarville?

058It's the motion. Um to the Dunbar replacement. Playground. Um seeing no questions, all in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Thank you. It passes. Um >> Jamie, you ain't taking Are you here for the commission, too, or No, Mr. Garcia, I see him now. Good evening. All right, the next item is the approval of decommission Bassett High School, Mr. Garcia. So, we had a healthy good evening to everyone and it's been inspiring with all the youngsters um speaking on their advocacy and and what they're doing in the future. Just wanted to say that cuz you know, they deserve as many shout-outs as we can give them. Um so, we had a healthy conversation at the operations committee uh discussing the or the ad hoc committee discussing the decommissioning of Bassick. Um you know,

059we had discussed the condition of um the building, the fiscal ramifications of carrying the building, and we discussed the fact that we really wouldn't have a usage that we can fit into a building of that size, and the cost to do so or to carry the building will be astronomical to us. So, this evening we're hoping that we can um get to a point that we vote to be able to move this building back to the city of Bridgeport. Do we have a motion or any questions first for the motion? Is there a motion? I make a motion Bassick High School to be Mr. Traynor has made a motion to decommission Bassick High School and return it to the city of Bridgeport, and it's been seconded by Mr. Benehan. Any further debate on this? Seeing

060none, all in favor say I. Any opposed? No. Mr. Medina, Mrs. Colleague, any abstentions? The eyes have it. Thank you everyone. Thank you, Mr. Gathers. Thank you, Ms. Carbone. Um next hot item, approval to update this year's school calendar. Dun dun dun. Who's presenting? Ooh. Mr. Rafa. Good luck. Yeah. Good evening, Madam Chair. Microphone. Can you hear me, sir? I Facebook. There you go. All right, good evening. Madam Chair, board. Um today we're going to be talking about updating up the update of the 2025-2026 school calendar. As we know, with um some of the snow days that have occurred, and we had pipes in some schools that had froze. Um, based on state law, we have to make up, and we have to have a minimum of 180 and 80 days. With the 180 days,

061not that I want to do this, but want to ask you Yeah. So, with that being said, we decided to, um, at this point have a discussion with both the BEA and BCASS, as well as our, um, some of our uh, staff, Dr. Avery included. Um, March was included in it. And one of the things we came up with was the best way that we could handle these days off. Um, Bassick High School and Marine School are the two schools that have to go an extra day beyond, they have really 3 days that they have to make up. The rest of the district has to make up 2 days. In our discussion, um, although the calendar did say that the last day was going to be, or as as it's put, the absolute last day

062would be the 23rd, we actually want to make an amendment to that, knowing how late it is in the school year, knowing that after speaking with the BEA and BCASS, if we try to go into and touch the April vacation at this point, we don't feel we'll have enough staff because they've already made plans, it's already late in the year. We don't feel we'd have enough substitutes at that end to be able to support what's going on in the school. So, our proposal would be to take this and make the absolute last day the 29th. Now, the reason we are making it the 29th is not that we're going to the 29th. Well, I don't want to come back here again and have to ask for another day. God forbid if another pipe breaks or

063if something happens in one of those two schools where something happened already. So, the proposal there is one mistake on the calendar where it says the 25th Well, it says the 25th is the last day of school except Bassick and Marin and right after that it should say the 26th would be the last day of school for Bassick and Marin. So, we're proposing that on the 25th that becomes the last day for everybody except Bassick and Marin. Bassick will then and Marin will come back on the 26th to finish up and that would be the end of the school year. We want to make the 29th the absolute last day in case something happens to those schools. And that's where we are with the calendar. With your approval on this then we can start because

064we were waiting on the approval to be able to talk about graduation dates and all the other things that need to come out. Here we feel that there will be less impact because it is at the end of the year rather than again trying to tap into something that's a little too late in my opinion. Mr. Zucalovic. Yes. When we initially approved the calendar, how many days were in it? 181 or 182? There was if I my recollection says there was 181. By state law, we were asked by the state, "Why are we doing 181? We should be doing 180 days as a minimum. One of the issues is that with some of the holidays and the way that the the way that it went based on some of the snow days and the other

065the other things that occurred, we were scrambling just like every other district to try to make up those days. Um we have to uh by state law, we felt that this was the best approach that we can take together as a as a community and as a unit. I think it's fair enough to say that we took in consideration, you know, this the parents, the schools, the teachers, the administrators, um and our staff who, you know, obviously made plans at a certain point and figured this may be the best way to approach it. Okay, you know, another question. Now, this proposal does including a total of 181 days or total of So, this is 180 days. We added an extra day on only in case, God forbid, let's say something happened at Basset or Marin.

066Well, that means they would have to go Monday. I'd have to come back and have a conversation with everybody about adding another day. That would be the absolute last day. That doesn't mean it's the last day. It's the absolute last day that we're talking about. >> But, um yeah. I don't think I'm messing up my question, though. Uh We're only trying to get in 180 days before >> Only 180 days. Yes. Mr. Chairman. Okay, I'm confused. Okay. Let's try this again. How many schools are going to go to the 29th? Zero. Okay. How many schools are going to go to the 26th? Two. All the rest are going to finish on the 25th? Yes. And that would be 180 days. 180 days. For all of them? For all. And both unions have agreed to this?

067>> Yes, they have. Now, I I know that in the past when we've done this, we've had a problem. Mhm. Because we've had people who have already purchased tickets. Mhm. I understand what you're saying about people who have made plans for the April week, Mhm. but I also know we have people who have bought tickets for June. Yeah. Jeff Morrissey and I had that conversation actually this morning. And we felt the impact would be lighter at the end of the year than it will be in for the April. Which you anticipate being accommodating. Yes. Cuz that is going to be a problem. That will be a problem, I guarantee you. Mhm. Okay. Ms. Esther Mendez. I have a few questions, um and then comments. Um so, what prompted this change? Was it many people reaching

068out to the superintendent's office and asking I did Yes. I did read um last week on the Connecticut Post all the different schools really trying to figure out, okay, we've had so many days off, where are they going to come from? We we we try from a half-day perspective. If we can get it in, half-day pretty much counts as having a full day of the So, anytime Dr. Avery can do that, the last snow storm we had, I happened to be on the road coming in and George Garcia and myself had a discussion with Dr. Avery that it wasn't safe at that point in time when we were on the road. In some cases you're going to get that that we have to look at student safety first, understanding that we're going to have to

069make up an extra day. We just didn't feel that it was safe enough for us to allow children to not only get on a bus, but you know, go to the bus stop which it was so icy at that point. You know, we took in the student safety first. Yeah, no, that totally makes sense and I will say this year you guys have been on point with calling the days off, honestly. Um, so I I have a few comments about this. Um, first, I'm a little bit hesitant on taking adding days to the end of the year because we were very clear that any days off will be coming out of April. And I And in my perspective, I'm thinking, well, if we add more days to the end of the year, we have schools

070that don't have air conditioning. So, towards the end of the year, we've had a call half days before. And I remember >> They are half days, just so you know, at the end of the year. Yeah. >> So, so those those two days that they're making up, they would be half days at the end of the year. You know, take it for what it is, but you know, after our discussion and we've heard how many teachers were going to be on vacation, we did feel that the students would be impacted by at the end of the year, I'm not saying they're not, but they have a lot of things going on, graduations, other things they do with children at the end of the year. I don't know if the impact will be as it would

071be during the vacation which we may not have any teachers for certain and you would have a whole bunch of students in an area that we were thinking safety also. Right. I'm just thinking we also had a lot many half days off last year in June of last year. >> And a lot of kids didn't come to school because it's it was almost a burden to take them to school for only half day when it was hot in the summer. It's easier to just keep them home. So the concern is we're going to have increased absenteeism in June because of that. So it's almost like, "Hey, April, the weather's not so hot. If we just add in Monday and Tuesday of the kids having to go to school Monday and Tuesday and then having Wednesday,

072Thursday, and Friday off, there's still >> get the absenteeism. You're still going to get the absenteeism when you look at it. Um it's it's just we we didn't we when they had the week off as we figured if we give them the week, that's the week when they're coming back and having to stay with us till the 25th or 26th, it's not really that many more days in the year. Those who were coming to summer school most I think buildings will be air conditioned, but they'll be waiting outside too for the buses and getting picked up. Uh you know as a collective unit, this is what we felt would be the best for this year. That's why I'm approaching you with this. Um this wasn't just my decision or Dr. Avery's. This was a collective

073decision that was made by the unions and ourselves that we feel that in order for us to you know, finish out the year strong and do what we have to do, this would be the best calendar for us. Good chair. Yeah. Just to clarify a little bit too. And one of the things that's happening as well, guys, is that I you know, when the weather decisions are made, those decisions are made at 4:00 a.m. in the morning. So, I'm up at 4:00 in the morning with probably 15 to 20 other superintendents around Connecticut, around this area at least anyway, talking about what we're going to do. Some superintendents make good calls and some superintendents make bad calls. Uh and as you may have recognized, the one of the last time we made the weather decision,

074you know, Bridgeport made a good call. Some you know, uh districts around us made a bad call and they had to go publicly to apologize to their communities and I wasn't one of the ones. Uh and so, again, it's always one of those gut-checking perspectives because it's all about the safety and as long as long as you know, when when my team makes that decision or when I make that decision, I have so many other resources that I'm listening to, but I'm like, "Okay, what about our kids walk to school?" Their kids may not walk to school. So, I'm having to kind of put that at the forefront of what my decision that I make is like, "Well, I wouldn't want to walk to school in cold weather." But again, I think when I looked

075at the April break, when I talked to teachers and principals and union reps and union presidents regarding this, also talking to other superintendents, they're all everyone's making these decisions. Do you take the April break or do you do you push it back to the end of the day? And I and I think probably 80% of the superintendents are pushing it to the end of the year, uh making that decision. It makes more sense uh to be able to do it that way because usually the end of the school year, they're half days, you know, and we're in the morning and we're out by noon or right at noon time. Uh and this is one of those things. Mr. Sakalaukas, do you have a question? Yeah, uh thank you. Yeah, first first thing I'll just to

076something else. but back to Avery, there's never a good call for a snow day. You're going to piss off at least Excuse me, you're going to irritate at least >> [laughter] >> 40% of the population, whether it's the right call or the right The only time it's a good call is if everybody will agree with it if there's 3 ft of snow on the ground, and everyone else will say you should have closed schools. There's always going to be the people that are going to get irritated. That being said, back to the calendar. Um we received also a voice that hasn't been heard, but the board of members have read all the emails. We've gotten significant number of emails out of Park City Magnet about students weighing in. I just wanted them to know their

077voices were heard. Some of them wanted summer, some of them wanted different different options. Some of them wanted to like ask the state to like forget about the two days, which if I if I was in school, I'd probably be going the same way, but I would like them to know that they were heard in our decision-making. I'm sure I could speak for everybody that we did weigh what we heard from the students in our decision-making, as did the superintendent. And even though you may be disappointed, keep keep speaking your voice and speak keep telling us what we need to know. Thank you. Mr. Benehan and Mr. Traynor. I do. Um I want to say and thank you, Mr. BJ. Um you said that to be clear that June 25th going to be the last

078day. June 25th for all of the schools except for Bayside and Marine. Okay, so when >> be 26th. >> So when's going to be the graduation? Well They're working on that, I think. Yeah, we're going to work That's We'll have that next for you. So we don't know We don't know what the day either the school had to be working with the prom, and I I really don't agree with the situation. I'm going to explain why. I know parents and staff, they already have the vacation ready for months, you know. And I know we have staff that got special education um kids. They really have prepared to get a vacation. They really buy tickets, you know. As um Mr. he wanted to say about some school, the AC don't even work at all. Now, because

079we got new schools, they good ACs good. We got schools the AC is terrible. They cannot open the windows. You know, the summer is terrible. And we all we all know that. And then and it's not good at all. And then like I said, when it's a mother nature, we cannot control that. I feel we cannot control that. And it's very easy that you guys work very hard and understand everyone. But when the conference of the state say oh the state decided the state want this and everything, the state they don't know what we going through all the stuff that we're going through when it's in the room with no AC. As a parent, if I have my vacation ready, I know I'm leaving the vacation. And I know all the students from this small

080private school, they very smart. Our staff work phenomenal. They give the 150% to be sure our kids that have the you know the vacation. And then trying to change everything, I don't find that fair for our staff and for our students. I know we receive a lot of emails from our students and that's a very concern. And I respect the parent whoever said listen my son is not going to school because I really had the vacation ready. I already paid for this. Some airline they don't give it to you back the money of the give a refund from let's say they give us about $100 so they give it to you $25 back. So they're going to lose money because of weather situation. Like I said, we cannot control the weather. It's God's situation. But

081I I'm not uh this extra day stuff like that. Right now we don't know the graduation. People they already have the graduation to do whatever they have to do. Uh the prom, picture, it's a lot. It's a lot that that they really and you team you're going to receive calls and we going to receive emails and everything. But I'm not agree this situation to stand to like that that that they no. I just prefer stay the way it is because I know our students are very smart. The weather we cannot control it. It's part of the God. So, like I say, family have plan to do, they ready to go out. So, that's my opinion. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Treber, do you still have a question? Yeah, I I actually had a comment, which

082is that I think this is the best solution. Um as Mr. Sekalovic said, we heard from some students. I heard from a lot of staff, too. Um and you know, there is no good answer. The fact is whether it's families or staff, at the end of the year, they just won't show up. They're just not going to be there for those last two day half days. Um and they're not going to miss a lot, either, quite frankly. Cuz you're packing up your classroom, you're cleaning up your classroom, the grades are in. Um we all know that. Um you know, you frankly I I If I recall, I worked in one of those second floor hot classrooms without air conditioning at Blackham. Um and you're watching the World Cup this year. Uh if you're lucky, up

083on your big screen. Um and uh telling all your secrets, so I want you to know that. Listen, I'm not >> [laughter] >> This is not This is not magic here. This is the end of the year, and you're packing up your classroom. You got a group of students that are helping you pack up. You got a group of students who want to watch the World Cup. And, you know, you're getting things ready to go. And there'll be some that might not show up to school. Um and, you know, it it's just it's the end of the year. Right. Um and that's the smart place to do it, because in April, if you try and bring them in in April, you mentioned you won't have the subs necessary to cover the missing staff. Learning won't

084happen, anyway, um cuz you're going to have all the the the uh the uh problems that you just outlined articulated. Uh [snorts] logistical problems, and so it's smarter to put it at the end of the year uh and deal with the the problems that make sense. And And frankly, uh if it was the uh 23rd and 24th, you'd still have that same problem. Um now, I have a problem with the way you lay out the schedule. I just this absolute last day of the year stuff should be just not on that schedule. Um, it's just why do you say absolute last day of the year because then people look at that and say, "Okay, it says absolute last day. I'm going to make my plans based on that." Just take that garbage off of there.

085Because when the when the Lord strikes with a storm, you're you're stuck. And we had we had a winter like we haven't had in in probably a decade this year. Um, and I looked at the snow totals recently and it's it's probably longer than a decade since we've had snow like this. So, just take that garbage off of there because it's just um, it's deceptive. It it just misleads people. And the reality is Well, just take it off. It doesn't have to It's the last day that we It just mis- It's deceptive to people. And and it just makes people make plans based on the the language and it's just, you know, it's all You know, put an asterisk that says it's all subject to the weather. Um, and and and what happens? This is

086all subject to change depending on the weather and and and and and what, you know, cuz it is true. We all know this. And and I remember talking to a teacher this year who said, "Well, I hope we get another snow day." And I said, "Well, be careful what you wish for." Because you got that second snow day and now you're now you're praying that you don't get stuck with that hot room. Um, this is a school without air conditioning. So, I I just it this is a problem we've run into before. I remember going to the end of June before. Um, so I I it is it is an unfortunate situation um, for these students who are now looking at it, for the teachers that are now wondering about it. It it's just it's

087a tough situation to be in. Uh, and I think this is the right answer. It's just unfortunate. If I could just for clarity. I I think he makes a very valid point. I I thought the same thing as well. So when we present the new calendar, we may want to just take that out. It gives you a little a little bit more flexibility. And then you can always put at the at the end there about snow days maybe considered, you know, added to the end of the year and just leave it open-ended. And it may be a little bit better for people to I'm good with it kind of consider. So we can we can we can we can talk through that again. Mr. Walton. Um I I just have a a small problem because

088I see sometimes, you know, the the you know, the the they like to post on on Facebook, you know, the the the the board of ed the you know, the the page for kids to you know, to prioritize attendance and you know, you know, do stuff. Uh to to to help better their attendance when it comes for for other groups to make sacrifices so the kids could get a good you know, a good education and and you know, cuz everybody knows that Bridgeport has the shortest has like the shortest class times in in in Connecticut. So now you're pushing days to the end of the year. Half of days you are and you said it to you know, I think Mr. Traber said it's up. Nothing's going on in the end of the year. Kids

089aren't coming to school. So those are two days that you're going to lose. You you know, you're going to add it, but those are two days that the kids are going to lose on class time. So you know, I mean, it's poor for kids already getting the short end of the stick out of the out of the state, you know, that's that's just another slap slap in the face. Then you tell kids that you hear them when they advocate. These are the These are the future leaders that are going to be in our city. You tell them that you're hearing that that you that you hear what they're saying, but you're not listening to them. You know, how how how would you feel if you if you spoke up and you think that you're doing

090a good thing, but the people in charge aren't listening to you? You feel like you're advocating for nothing. That That's That's going to That's going to kind of discourage you from advocating cuz the people who are in charge don't listen. So, you know, that's all I got to say. Thank you, Mr. Woodson. Is there a motion? Motion to approve the 25-26 calendar amendments as presented. Second. It's been made by motion made by Mr. Sikolowic seconded by Mr. Medina. Any further debate? Uh that's a no. Okay. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? I heard Mr. Woodson opposed. Miss Esther Meramendez opposes. And any abstentions? Mr. Bedoya abstains. It passes. Um Mr. Sikolowic Yeah. Uh motion for recess? It's There's a motion for a recess. Um Mr. Medina seconds it. We're going to do a

091Uh all in favor say aye for your 5-minute recess. >> Aye. All right. We're going to call a 5-minute recess for those online. >> Mhm. >> Ready? All right, we're coming back. Um Sorry, we went on a quick recess to celebrate a birthday in the room. Um but we're back and we're live and we're on to approval of the next year's school calendar for 2026-2027, Mr. Carrafa. And if this died, how long? You got it. That's all. There it is. Okay. All right, so the 2026-2027 calendar. Um so we took some suggestions on this one. Um and a couple of the things we did, one is we took the April vacation and we aligned the April vacation with all of the other surrounding towns um around us. So this year the April vacation was a

092week before um the surrounding towns had and in this year we aligned it with the surrounding towns, so everyone has their April vacation at the same time. The second thing we did on the calendar was in November, um and we did take Maritza's suggestion of being able to put the report card conferences on the Monday and Tuesday of the Thanksgiving day or Thanksgiving break, I should say. And what we felt is it would take up instead of putting it the week before where would mess up the week of instruction, we decided that it would have less impact on the Thanksgiving day week. And those are the two major changes that we made, besides um starting the school starting school, I should say, for all students on the 27th, which is a day earlier than we

093did last year, which was the 28th. I'll take questions on the calendar. Are there any questions for Mr. Cropper? Mr. Salowitz. No, but um as per Mr. Travis' suggestions I suggestion I agree with the taking off the absolute last day, but perhaps like some sort of little asterisk with a maybe a snowflake next to it. If there's one day, if there's two days, if there's three days, if there's four days, if there's five days, or something like that. I don't know if that makes sense or not. Yes. Actually, on this calendar it says additional snow days after June 23rd will be made up during the break the breaks. So, I don't know. Why not February? Yeah, it does on the calendar. If you just take the absolute last day off and just leave That that

094But, no. Have we ever Have we ever Have we ever tapped into the February days rather than going the end? Mhm. But it it says February 11th, which is um a Thursday. Actually, in February, we never really did, but we can pull up we can pull that off if desired. I think that may I think that would make sense. I don't know what everybody else thinks. Yeah, by then we would the snow days after after. Yeah. We're good with that. And and and must I say we did work with again the BEA and BCAST and you know, Dr. Avery and Margin and the group to um work together on this calendar also. Mr. Bennehan. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> [clears throat] >> I'm this calendar that you get confused with. So, you want to tell

095me on November 23rd, 24th, that's a Monday, Tuesday, it's going to be report card. Yes. So, when the report got up to the 24th, it's going to be like a little vacation. Uh yes, we have off for Thanksgiving. >> Thanksgiving. So, you think My question is do you think people are going to come, you know, for the report card, you know, when they really know they can do um PowerSchool um PowerSchool you know, something like that, they can go to the teachers and an email something like that, because I'm thinking as a parent because I'm thinking as a parent Monday and Tuesday and then the and then Thanksgiving, I've been gone starting the Friday and Saturday before the week. Mhm. So, I know you guys are doing the calendar, but I'm thinking as a parent

096people that are thinking, you know, very important going on vacation. And the most important for me the one in this calendar November No- uh November November 11th Veteran Day. So, it's not a holiday, it's nothing or correct me if I'm wrong. Is it a teacher day, is it going to have a day or whatever it is? And I'm asking this Mhm. as a family members I have in the Veteran Day, they die for us and fight for us. Mhm. That day is not off. So, we can have the other day like a report card, you know, all this we were talking about, but this important day is national is about his you know, history. People die for us and fight for us. It's not day off. So, I just I'm confused about that, but that's

09722nd and 24th and then after that Thanksgiving. Trust me, people are not going to say I'm not going to go for three or four days of vacation. I'm taking the whole week or start the Friday before Saturday before. Yeah, so so Mr. Benham, I think that Historically we've had Veterans Day off in the past. Last year was off. I mean not off, on. We're here. Observed, but we're here. Like they're they're still in school. So, it's not a day off for Bridgeport public schools. It hasn't been in the past few years. >> No, I understand that mother chair, but it's still something very important very important. >> observed in schools as I've highlighted in the calendar, but historically it hasn't been a day off. >> you said. Something more important than you know, a few

098other things. And then the 23rd and 24th um I know Ms. Estherman Jimenez um recommended that, but a lot of districts are actually doing that as well. We're having the report card conferences that week. Um and to your point of people taking the days off and for most half days it like absenteeism is high those days. So, if you are taking those two days off plus the two days and they're they're skipping the they're missing the days before because they they come out on they call out on a I agree with you. I agree with you mother chair. And I understand that, but we have to understand that parents, students, staff and everything we going through a lot of situation. What we going out of you know, our United States, our city, economic and everything.

099We need to think you know, about themselves. So, people need to have a little you know, that we call the stress that I'm saying. That's not either us what we going through. You know, it's not easy. So, we need to you know, human. So, I'm just thinking about as a parent. As a person, you know, that's that's my comment. Thank you. >> You want to add to that? Yeah, I I I just think that the thought those thought processes came out um Mr. Benham, I think the reality for us is we wanted to from an educational standpoint, we felt that having a full week rather than having a day and then or two days and then a half a day the week before would be a full academic week and then going into this week

100because the week is going to be cut up with you know, having the Thanksgiving day you know, observation and the day before that it made sense to look at a Monday and Tuesday since you know, if if and looking at it parents could do the same thing anyway, which is to say we're taking that week off anyway, and we're going to see the family. Um so we can't stop that. I I do want to get data for everyone. Um that's one of the things we were discussing actually Marje and myself on report card conference data because there's been a lot of talk about parents going to report card conferences. I want to know how many you're going. So we're going to be starting to collect and take a look at numbers of parents. How many

101parents are physically coming to these report card conferences cuz I think it's important for us to know what the turnout is. It's you know, two times a year at that point. What's the turnout on both times? And I can't give you that cuz I don't have that data in front of me at this point. I'm sure the schools do. I'm going to see if they do and try to collect it, put it together. They don't, that's an initiative that we have for next year is to start looking at what do those report card conferences really look like as far as you know, parental you know, involvement goes in the schools. Mr. Traynor. Yeah, I I I mean, I think it's a good idea um to do the um the two days before Thanksgiving and the

102Wednesday is uh throwaway day in that sense of of it's a day with kids coming for a half day and it's a difficult day. Uh the way you just described and I I think that instead of messing up the week before with report card conferences, the half days, and the craziness of those, it's makes sense to give it a try that way. >> Yeah, the Wednesday they were off, just so you know, the 25th, 26th, 27th, yeah. >> yeah. Uh no, look, I remember having to negotiate for that day off to have surgery once. Um so I I get it. Uh so it it's um Uh so I think it's worth trying. Uh and see how it goes. And I would I'm I'm actually somewhat surprised that we don't have the data on attendance. It

103is a worthwhile thing for us to keep track of because I think that we're going to be shocked at how low the attendance is for report card conferences. Um and we should know it. I we may, but I don't have it at the district, is what I'm saying. So I need to, you know, collect that data. >> We should collect it. Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> Um because it it is a good number for us to know. Um and so we're going to get rid of the absolute down at the bottom. >> Yes, we will. We're going to put a comment in about uh the schedule is uh subject to change depending on on what happens with the weather. Mhm. Um and um uh I'm good with this. Just to clarify, the the red diamond

104those are not those are just 2-hour Yeah, with the teachers. >> regular normal school day. Okay. Pardon me? After the regular normal school day. 2-hour PD. 2-hour PD, yes. >> 3:00 to 5:00. >> Yeah, okay. Ms. Esterman, you have a Oh, I'm I just have a quick um question {slash} comment. So this past calendar that we just approved has the same verbage that this calendar has, it which says additional snow days after June 23rd will be made up in the following order, February and April. Can we just like strike that out as well because the calendar that we just altered had that same exact language. And so if it's not going to be meaningful, why even have it there? Yeah. Makes sense. Yeah. Thank you. Any further questions? Is there a motion? The motion just

105needs to clarify removing those two items at the end. The motion needs to be needs to be clarified to remove those two options at the from the end of the calendar that's presented and then you're good to go. Is this called a Motion to approve the 25-26 calendar 20 says well, I'm sorry, 26-27 calendar as presented with the revisions suggested by the board. Okay. Seconded by Mr. Traynor. Any further debate? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Mr. Bennett had opposed it. Any abstentions? The eyes have it. That passes. Um thank you, Mr. Proper. Thank you. Um All right, the next item is on the agenda. The first one is approval These came from committee. Um Right, this is on the bylaws. So, approval to suspend bylaw 9310 for the purpose of immediate implementation

106of the following policies. One, library material review and reconsideration, {point} 12 and 1312 {point} 3. Two, library collection development and maintenance, 6161 {point} 13 {slash} uh 1312 {point} 4. And three, library display and program, 61 61 14 and 13 12.5. Mr. Sokolovic. Madam Chair, I would like to make a motion to approve the to suspend the bylaws 9310 for the purpose of immediate implementation of the policies you just mentioned and I would also like to to save time but move to item H to suspend the bylaw 9310 for the purpose of implementation of the following bylaws committees 9130, committee of the whole 9131, 9132 committees and advocacy advisory committees. Code of ethics 9271, code of conduct 9272 and civility code 9273. So moved, second. Seconded by Ms. Medina. Any debate on that? So we're moving

107the motion is to suspend the bylaw for immediate implementation of those policies. And then we'll go into then we'll go into those policies. F and H. Yes, F and H. Yes. Is there any further debate on that? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Eyes have it. So we're moving on to item G, approval of immediate approval for the immediate implementation of the following policies. Ms. Sokolovic. Madam Chair, I would like to make a motion to consolidate these three as they are definitely they boil the plate basically state mandates and it was discussed thoroughly at committee. So I would like to consolidate one, two and three unless anybody has some objection. Objection. Second. Motion was made to consolidate um G one, two and three. And it was seconded by Ms. Medina. Is

108there any further debate on that? We can solidate. to Both. It's mostly consolidate pass. That's what you said. Well, if somebody wants to ask a question about one of them, we could do it at the same time and just deal with it. Is there any discussion on these? Okay. I'll accept that. Yes. I will draw my second. I will draw my second. Okay. He's withdrawing his second. Very well. Make a motion. We make it. Please remake the motion. I make a motion to consolidate and approve item G 1, 2, and 3. I second. Okay. Motion to consolidate and approve G 1, 2, and 3 made by Ms. Kalbick and seconded by Mr. Medina. Is there any further debate on those motions on those policies? All in favor to approve those policies, uh I. >> I.

109Any opposed? Any abstentions? Seeing none, that passes. John, you have all that? Do you want the paper? Okay. All righty. The next item is uh item I for approval and immediate implementation of the following bylaws. Uh we have uh one committees 9130. Is there a motion? Motion to approve item 1 9130 committees. Second. Motion is made by Ms. Kalbick and seconded by Mr. Medina. Um is there any further questions to this one? Debate on this policy? This is on committees. Seeing none, all in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstentions? All right. Um policy 9130 passes. Next one is committees of the whole 9131. Motion to approve committees of the whole 9131. Motion made by Mrs. Kalb executive by Mr. Bennion. Is there any debate on this one sentence policy? Seeing none all in

110favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstentions? 9131 passes. The next item is committees and advisory committees 9132 and 9133. Motion to approve committee and advisory committees policy number 9132 and 9133. Seconded by Mr. Bennion. My only I do have something on this one. For the item that was amended in committee number five on standing committees it reads be dissolved at any time by a vote of the board. For standing committees my question is would this language imply that the same members exist if the vote if we don't dissolve it? So it says be dissolved at the end the original item was be dissolved at the end of the school year. Yeah, I I recall when we debated that that it was made so we have our standing committees going going and then it would

111take an affirmative vote of the board to change it. Is that recollection correct? Yeah, I I I think that's right but I'm thinking more of a membership of the of those committees. So that next year it would be new members. >> that the appointment by the chair is somebody somewhere else. Okay, you actually thought about that you're right. All right, my question's moot. Any other question debate on that? Seeing none all in favor for approval of I. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Um next one is code of ethics 9271. Motion to approve the code of ethic ethics 9271. Motion made by Mr. Colodny and seconded by Mr. Benehan. Any debate on this one? All in favor say aye. Aye. >> Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? The ayes have it. Um next item is code of conduct

1129272. Motion to approve code of conduct 9272. Motion made by Mr. Colodny and seconded by Mr. Benehan. Any debate? Seeing none. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Uh that one passes. Last one is the civility I don't know that one. Civility code 9273. Motion to approve the civility code 9273. Second. Ooh. Motion made by Mr. Colodny seconded by Mr. Benehan. They got a lot. Any debate on that? All in favor say aye. Aye. >> Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? All right. That one passes as well. That is the end of um letter I. All right, moving on. The last item on the agenda is discussion approval of the Bridgeport Board of Education support for legislation creating long-term revenue in support of ECS. This was brought to my attention by Mr.

113Traynor. He asked if I put this on the agenda. So, I will let Mr. Traynor speak to it. Microphone, please. The um at the finance committee meeting last week there were um week before last, sorry. Friday a week ago. Uh there was uh there were several pieces of legislation. The one that uh many of us testified to was removal of the guardrails. Um the guardrails that we hear referred to constantly basically are uh affect two things. One, um the ability [snorts] to change the ECS formula. Um that is to spend money uh beyond a certain point. Um and that's to make sure that the legislature doesn't get frivolous. I'm using that term loosely in spending money because uh essentially as uh I think uh Representative Staffstrom said when he met with us up in the

114speaker's conference room, uh for about 80 years the legislature [snorts] didn't put money into the pension funds. Um and so when that representative tried to challenge our student about uh um us being uh um what was the term she used? Mismanaging. Um if anybody's mismanaged funds, it's the state of Connecticut. Not the city of Bridgeport in that sense. Certainly not the Board of Ed in Bridgeport. Uh remember we had a uh um a forensic audit done last year to show that we are quite good about how we spend our money. Um and yet she challenged our our students about how we're spending our money. Uh the state of Connecticut for 80 years didn't put money into the pension fund for the state employees or the teachers. Uh the teacher retirement fund was not uh funded

115by the state of Connecticut. Uh legislators in the state of Connecticut were happy to spend that money frivolously for many, many, many decades. Uh according to Representative Staffstrom, I think it was about eight decades. Uh and they finally realized they had to put some money in there because they had a big debt hanging around their neck. Um and so when they started putting that money in, they established these guardrails that said, "Oh, no. We need to put this money into the these two funds. Um and we can't spend it anywhere else." Those are the guardrails. Um that's one of the guardrails. The other guardrail is some deal that got cut when uh Governor Weicker uh threw gasoline on a on a fire uh when he passed the income tax that he promised he'd never do.

116And then he realized that the income tax was the best way for the state of Connecticut to go. Uh a man of great courage, in my opinion. He'll probably get into John Kennedy's book Profiles in Courage. Uh he stood up for the right thing and passed an income tax. But a deal was cut for the wealthy people in the state of Connecticut, and they passed a guardrail they established a guardrail that said, "In order to pass new taxes on plain old people like you and me, you only need a simple majority of 50%. But to pass new taxes on wealthy people, you need a supermajority of 60%." Those are the guardrails that we hear so much about. And I mean, I'm offering a really simplistic plain explanation, but those are the mythical guardrails we hear

117so much about. And they're about to expire. Uh they were uh secretly extended. I won't go into the details. Many people think illegally extended a few years ago uh by secret agreement of the president of the Senate, the speaker of the house, and the governor without any vote. Um but they were extended. Um but they're about to expire. Now, those guardrails we saw last year get bent several times. If there was a political will by the governor or the speaker of the house, they were bent. But the guardrails, there's a bill about sort of let's get the guardrails out of the way. Now, there's two reasons that we care about the guard rails. The guard rails um allow them to spend money and they are sitting uh just last week uh I think it was

118last week, Joe, maybe the week before, uh the controller announced $1.88 billion more added to the surplus. Um so, the surplus is now up over 6 billion again. Um so, there's this mountain of money in our surplus that we used to call the rainy day fund. When it's raining in Connecticut, we want to have this healthy surplus so that we're prepared to deal with crises. Well, we think there are crises going on for poor people in Connecticut. That includes education. Um and so, we all testified about the guard rails and felt comfortable. What also was being heard before finance were establishing wealth taxes. Taxes on the wealthy residents of Connecticut. Um and those wealth taxes uh the first and foremost one was to establish a new income tax level. The highest income tax rate in

119Connecticut right now is 6.99%. That applies to me and other people. That's like you know, that's the highest you can get taxed. And so, there's a proposal to add a new level for the extra wealthy people. It would not affect any of us sitting in this room because we don't make that much money. It would apply to the most wealthy people in the state to say, "Okay, we're going to have a rate of 7.99%." And that would be to the super wealthy. That would make Connecticut um not as high as Massachusetts or New York yet. It would still keep us below Massachusetts and New York, but it would make it generate a great deal of more revenue. That would allow us that we've always said we can use the surplus to pay for the ECS

120and other things that need to be done. Housing, health care, other things that need to be done in our poorer communities with the surplus money. That'll take us a year or two. I reported to many of you that Senator Looney came to the CEA legislative breakfast Saturday a week ago and said, "Look, we can't do better than that thousand dollars a year for four years unless we generate new revenue." The surplus won't get us past that. Unless we generate and he specifically mentioned this income tax. Um but there are uh estate taxes and a few other very variations. And so um we are here tonight proposing a um um a position taken by our board that says we support the creation of these new wealth taxes. Now, this has been our position for many of

121us all along. Connecticut for all of who were part of this coalition has been advocating for wealth taxes. Uh in the first couple of years coming out of the COVID uh in the in the recovery from COVID, the I think 13 or 16 billionaires living in the state of Connecticut doubled and tripled their their their wealth. Uh that meant the multi-millionaires and millionaires in the state of Connecticut doubled and tripled their wealth. They're doing just fine. And as we all know, just this past year the federal government gave them another boost uh in the big beautiful bill. So, they're really doing fine and we're just suggesting that they could maybe chip in some extra money to help the rest of us do a little better. That's the point of the wealth taxes. Um so, there

122were five bills uh proposed and so we have a motion that I'm proposing we approve tonight that says the following. The Bridgeport Board of Ed supports proposed legislation which will create new sources of revenue necessary to support fully funding the education cost sharing formula now and any increases and adjustments made to it in the future. Specifically, the proposed bills in this session are and these were the ones discussed at that hearing a week ago Friday. House bill number 5187, an act adjusting the fiscal guardrails. That's the one we testified about. House bill number 5133, an act increasing the highest marginal rate of the personal income tax that I just mentioned. We create another level higher. Um house bill, I'm sorry, Senate bill number 101, an act establishing a statewide property tax on certain residential real

123property. That's establishing estate taxes. And Senate bill number 104, an act establishing a capital gains surcharge. So, those four bills would establish new sources of revenue for the state of Connecticut on the uber wealthy. Which none of us, I bet, in this room qualify. It wouldn't affect us. It would affect the the very wealthy people in the state at the wealthiest people in the state of Connecticut. So, I'm proposing that we pass a resolution tonight saying that we take the position that these bills are we support these bills. Uh and that would enable us, I noticed Dr. Uh Avery when he testified, um very carefully did not say anything about those bills as he should have. Because the board hadn't taken a position. If the board takes that position, then Dr. Avery is in a

124position to speak also. Uh others of us made a personal statement not on behalf of the board, personal statements in support of these bills. Uh but we all this would enable us to speak also on behalf of the board in favor of these bills. So, I propose that we pass this motion to enable us to speak on behalf of the Bridgeport Board of Ed in favor of these wealth taxes. I've made that motion. Can I get a second for that motion? So, there's a motion made and a second. Um I just want to clarify that you're speaking for the board cuz like I don't think the district can actually take that position. The I don't think I don't know that's illegal. If the district can say we want the wealth tax, we have to look

125into legal on that one. >> We can't take a take a legislative position position on legislation. >> I don't know. That's what I'm saying. We should probably should get legal on that to make sure that like that Dr. Avery can specifically say Bridgeport Public Schools wants this versus the board. He works for the Bridgeport Public Schools. If the Bridgeport Board of Ed takes a position on a piece of legislation >> sense. I it certainly means he he is But I I'm perfectly comfortable with you take getting legally opinion. That that that's certainly is sensible in my mind. Let me try to get Mr. Anastasi on. We we can pass the resolution and then you can confirm with legal pending legal opinion as to exactly what he can say and we can say, but I Mr.

126Mr. Daniels Did you have something? Oh, no. >> I'm sorry. Did I'm I'm on my phone. I was just wait Did you all take the vote? No, we did not. We're doing debate now. Okay. Okay. Mr. Sikalovic Yeah, I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Trevors Mr. Trevors um motion. I think we really should support it as a board. Um notwithstanding of what legal tells us about Dr. Avery's position, we could still have it as a board position and go from there afterwards. I would only suggest the addition of with revenue to be used to increase the foundation amount of the ECS. It doesn't dedicate Oh, it does. I'm sorry. My apologies. >> says um Hold on one second. Let me reread it again. Uh supports proposed legislation which will create new sources of revenue necessary to

127support fully funding the education cost sharing formula now and any increase in adjustments made to it in the future. Okay, thank you. Do you know off the top of your head um with the in regards to the what the taxes, do you know what the cutoff is for income? For folks who'll be taxed, is that in the legislation? Yeah. Oh, well what do you know the number? No. Not off the top of my head. I'd have to pull up the legislation to read it. Well, I'm just saying cuz if it's if it's like a million dollars, that's that's you know you know It's way up there. That's up there, but if it's like like 50,000 >> up there. A lot, you know, people make that in the district. There's nobody in I bet there's nobody

128in the city that makes that kind of money. No, I'm just saying I'm the differences I'm saying million is um Is he coming on? Any further debate? Is he coming on or No, I guess not. We could do it pending legal opinion. Ask him. You heard that, Tim? Yeah. Sorry, we're just consulting. >> I just what is the opinion of Mr. Carlo if you have anything that you want to say, right? Just to uh just to person provide some clarity cuz we can't get attorney and Stacy although he can probably argue both points if you if you ever heard him. How the city council does this is as the elected body and and the board here is also elected. They do it from themselves so they all sign on to a letter collectively as the

129elected members. Even in the past they don't the letter is not coming from the city or the city council, it's coming from the elected members of the city council. So I think you can do that that here as the elected members of the board of Ed. That's how they've done it in the past even when the mayor does the letter it's not coming from the city of Bridgeport, it's coming from like the elected mayor. So >> the resolution is from the Bridgeport Board of Ed. I have not read the the resolution from I just read it. I'm saying it says the Bridgeport Board of Ed supports proposed legislation. It's not speaking for the city. No, no, I think Yeah, you're just giving an example Just an example so the elected members of the board of

130Ed I think >> wouldn't have I wouldn't attempt to speak for the city council or the mayor. This would simply be >> I'm just giving an example Rob as how the city council does it as the elected members. I think they the attorney would advise the same thing. The elected members of the board of Ed instead of the board of Ed into together. Just an example. Got it. I got what you're saying. I and I and I I'm simply responding that I think that's a given in what we're saying that we are the elected it is the elected members. We're not speaking for anyone else than our than this body. Yes. To Mrs. Carlo No. Okay. Any further debate and we'll take the vote. And he's not coming over. Okay. All right. So Just I

131I could send it to legal, whatever the resolution is to just clarify. If that makes sense. Okay. Uh we could take the vote. We're just clarifying Dr. Avery's role. We take the vote tonight tonight. Cuz I'm testifying on Friday, I will be able to say Yeah. Thursday, I will be able to say we are in support as a board of this policy should it pass. Correct? Yes, the board the board of the bridge the elected So let's all be board board of education >> to clarify that because there is a testimony these pieces of legislation. Any further debate? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Lamar Daniels abstains. Okay. Any other abstentions? Okay, seeing none that passes. Um That's it for new business. Mr. Cabanero, you have anything you want to say?

132I have Yes. Um Yes, I'd like to invite the board and Dr. Avery and the cabinet. It's going to be not yet official, but please have the day for Saturday, April 5th. It's going to be an organization they call We Are One a section. They're doing Easter in Charlotte Plaza. They want the city and the board of education work together to Easter thing. So um today we were talking with the city to try to get the new permission about the park and stuff like that. Just to let you know none of the events that you can have that will send you the information, Dr. Avery. Dr. Avery, so you can send to everyone and and I'm sharing to the board. So everybody can be a part of this um is it something it's a event

133for the community. Easter day. So it's going to be for um like I said, April April 5th from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. I will send you more details so everybody can come. Thank you, Madam Chair. Sure. Where did you say it was? You said you don't have a location yet, Audrey. No location? No location yet? No. Oh, I thought you said Amory. >> You have something to add? Yeah, I This is a point of personal privilege. I I did mention this to a few people when we did the um what's the we did the central with the staff Innis to Win it? Innis to Win it. Um I mentioned to a few people. Um I live on a one-block dead-end street. Um it's been my pleasure to note that there were three teachers that lived

134on my street in the time that I lived there, but on that particular night there were two teachers recognized. Um one in her 20s teaching at Cross, uh Kayla Cartagena, um and one Oh, darn I Her name is not uh Sandy Peslak's daughter from Reed. Sandy Peslak was a retired teacher from Reed who left us a few years ago and whose husband still lives on my street. And her daughter is Rossi. Uh God, I I'm blanking on her name cuz I didn't know her as well, but I was just so uh proud of my street having produced two Bridgeport teachers who were born and raised on my street >> [snorts] >> um that night to see them up there getting recognized for their work in the Bridgeport public schools. And people talk about Bridgeport public

135schools with such disdain, but to have two kids who grew up on that street teaching in the public schools cuz they believe in it. One whose mother also taught in the public schools. So. A very proud moment for my street. Thank you. Thank you. Esther Manella Jimenez. Um, I was going to chat about policy and policy is going to give an update cuz I have two referrals. Sorry, Mr. Woodson, we had updates earlier for committees. Do you have any I know you have a long agenda this week. Um, but do you have any updates for the committee? Do you hear me? Yeah, no updates as of yet. I guess this you know, got the new agendas out so people can look at and be prepared for the meeting Wednesday. Wednesday AM. Um, but Miss Esther

136Manella Jimenez has some referrals. She'll read them out loud and I you can follow in email. Yeah, okay. Um, and these referrals are not new. It's just I wanted to bring them up again cuz we don't I don't want us to lose momentum. So, now that we've passed the 9000 series, um, all of those, um, documents this evening, I want to make sure that we go back and we continue our work with the other policies in the 9000 series as well as those um, the 2000 series and 3000 series that Dr. Hughes suggested. Um, so that's referral number one, just maintaining and continue our work and updating our bylaws. And then the second one is around the lottery transparency. I'm really talking about how we can tighten our belts around the lottery, um, process and

137the selection process cuz there's way too many hands in that pot right now that we need to tighten up. I think we put that on the agenda. Yeah. Yeah, it's going to be on this week's agenda. >> Okay, perfect. So, I'll bring that up during Wednesday's meeting then. Um I forgot to mention earlier in my board report, I think it was on the second page that didn't print. Um next Monday we do have a special meeting with our new attorneys, Shipman and Goodwin. Um they're going to provide us a training. Um it's been noticed already, so you should have it in your um portal you'll have a a the PowerPoint in your portal, so you can take a look at it beforehand. Um but it'll be next It'll be next Monday at 6:30 at City

138Hall. You can join virtually if you need to. Um but uh it'll be our uh first meeting with this attorney. Um Seeing that nothing else Move to do a adjourn, please. >> Mr. Medina. Motion to adjourn second by Mr. Sakalovic. Burden first. All in favor? Aye. Aye. >> Any opposed? Any abstentions? We are adjourning at