Bridgeport board reviews three budget scenarios and readies city submission

At the Feb. 5 ad hoc advocacy meeting, Dr. Ross Avery, the Bridgeport superintendent, summarized three budget scenarios the district has prepared ahead of the board vote: about $44 million, $47 million and $61 million. "We had a $44,000,000 budget, a $47,000,000 budget and the $61,000,000 budget," Avery said, noting the options were intended to restore positions and supports cut over prior years.

The committee discussed the municipal timeline and process: the district must deliver a budget to the city by midnight Monday under a two‑day extension the city granted, and the mayor will release a proposal in March with council hearings and a public hearing in April. The chair reminded members the board will vote Monday night on which version to forward to the city.

Members stressed the need to couple the local budget ask with the state advocacy push. Several speakers urged advance coordination with the mayor’s office and city council, plus public turnout at departmental committee hearings in March to persuade council members to add funding. The group also discussed internal priorities for the larger budget scenarios — returning instructional coaches, assistant principals, counselors and librarians — as examples of what additional funding would cover.

District staff and communications leads told the committee they had prepared outreach materials and would help recruit parents and community partners to support the district’s request during city hearings. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn was approved by voice vote.