Bridgeport superintendent outlines budget shortfall and timeline; board presses for numbers ahead of Jan. 26 presentation

Interim Superintendent Dr. Avery and Chief Financial Officer Nesta Nkwo presented the Bridgeport Public Schools' fiscal history and the FY26-27 operating and nutrition budgets during the board's Jan. 15 special meeting, explaining why the district faces persistent structural deficits and outlining next steps in a tightened timeline.

Avery described a revised, more collaborative budget-planning process developed with the state technical-assistance team. He said the district began the accelerated timeline later than typical (around November) but has held extensive internal meetings, community forums and school-based conversations to ground budget decisions in needs. Among the accomplishments cited were a reduction in teacher vacancies from about 150 to about 40 and several schools removed from the state turnaround list.

Nkwo reviewed audited actuals for FY22-25 and explained category shifts that affect year-to-year comparability (for example, moving certain teacher positions into grant-funded categories). He said the district received roughly $144 million in COVID/ESSER-related funding and used internal-service funds (ISF) and other one-time resources in recent years to smooth operations; those temporary funds have largely expired. Nkwo said the administration balanced large prior-year cuts (cited at $34M–$39M in program reductions) but continues to rely on one-time reserves and warned of a projected FY27 starting gap (approximately $9.5M) plus additional recurring wage pressure (roughly $8M) absent new revenue or deeper reductions.

Board members asked for more concrete baseline figures. One member urged the administration to present a "full-needs" budget (what it would cost to provide the education district leaders say students deserve), and then later show a constrained or advocacy-driven request to the city/state. Avery responded that the administration will present a number that reflects what the district needs to run — and will also bring cost-savings proposals — because the board must use those figures to advocate to the city and state.

Several board members requested that the recommended budget and supporting materials be posted in the board portal at least a few days before the Jan. 26 presentation so members can review details (CFO Nkwo and the superintendent committed to providing the recommended budget in advance and to scheduling additional public and committee review meetings). The board also discussed the municipal and mayoral submission timeline, agreeing to align advocacy work with the legislature's short session and the city's budget calendar.