BPS Press Releases

Press Releases

02/26/2025

Open Letter to the Bridgeport Public Schools Community

 

Dear Bridgeport Public Schools Community,

Bridgeport Public Schools currently faces a pivotal moment—one that requires us all to come together to ensure every student has the opportunities and support they need to succeed in learning, life, and work beyond school.

The district educates 20,022 students, who are supported by approximately 2,800 dedicated educators and other school staff. Of the students, 17,510 (87.5 percent) qualify for free or reduced-price meals; 4,154 (20.7 percent) receive special education services, and 6,222 (31.1 percent) are English Learners/ Multilingual Learners. In 2023-24, 292 students also experienced homelessness. In terms of student achievement, only one in five students in English language arts and one in eight students in mathematics in grades 3-8 achieved proficiency on the state assessment.

These statistics represent real children, with real dreams. Each of these students deserves a viable pathway to long-term success and happiness. When chronic absenteeism is stubbornly high, at nearly 30 percent for the past four years, when graduation rates are slipping, when nearly 30 percent of 9th graders are not on track to graduate on time, and approximately one in four students are ready for post-secondary education, it is clear that urgent action is needed.

This is why the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is stepping in—not to take over, but to stand beside you as a partner in change. We want all students, families, educators, and the entire community to know that we are in this together, working to improve student performance and build a stronger, more supportive system that meets the needs of every student in Bridgeport.

How Did We Get Here?

In November 2024, Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS) announced a $38 million budget gap for the 2024-25 school year. The budget had been passed with a $26 million deficit. At the same time, BPS has faced repeated turnover in leadership, with multiple superintendents in just a few years. This instability, combined with ongoing challenges in special education, raised serious concerns about the district’s ability to meet its responsibilities to students.

Following a meeting with Bridgeport’s Board of Education Chairperson and the Acting Superintendent, the State Board of Education (SBE) authorized the CSDE to intervene and take the necessary actions to address the stability of BPS operations.

What Actions Are Being Taken?

Bridgeport receives over $300 million in state and federal funding, however without strong financial plan- ning, decision-making, and governance, even the largest budgets can fail to effectively serve students.

That is why our focus is not only about stabilizing a budget—it is about strengthening district leadership, enhancing accountability, and establishing a strong, enduring foundation for long-term success.

1. A Team is in Place

I have established a Technical Assistance Team made up of individuals with decades of experience leading public schools in district operations, finance, special education, and governance. The Technical Assistance Team will be in the district, working directly with the Acting Superintendent, Bridgeport Board of Education (BBE), and district leaders to implement interventions such as:

• Assessing and addressing the stability of operations of the district.
• Improving student performance—with a particular focus on students whom BPS has found eligible for special education and related services.
• Providing targeted support in the areas of financial management and instructional initiatives and processes.

The Technical Assistance Team will regularly provide updates to me and my team at the CSDE to ensure accountability and transparency.

2. Strengthening Board Governance and Leadership

The BBE plays a critical role in your district’s success. By developing policies, approving budgets, hiring the superintendent, and endorsing the curriculum, the board sets the strategic direction of the district, while the superintendent assumes responsibility for managing daily operations and executing these directives. To help the BBE effectively fulfill this role, I have given initial approval of their request to have the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) provide them with comprehensive training.

This required training will focus on:

• The Board-Superintendent relationship, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities.
• Developing and updating policies and procedures, so the board can set a strong foundation for schools.
• Setting educational goals and strategies to promote academic success.
• Budget management and fiscal oversight to ensure public funds are spent wisely.
• Effective board meeting procedures, promoting productive discussions and decisions.

To ensure transparency, the BBE is required to report on the status and progress of their training at each of their public Board meetings.

3. Ensuring Community Involvement

We know that real change happens when students, families, and educators are part of the conversation. This is why I have engaged the State Education Resource Center (SERC) to host Listening Sessions where we can hear directly from you.

The first of these Listening Sessions took place in January when Governor Lamont, Mayor Joe Ganim, other local and state leaders, and I held a roundtable with Bridgeport teachers to hear directly from them about their experiences, concerns, and ideas for moving forward. These continued conversa- tions will help ensure that the work ahead is guided by data and policy, and most importantly, by the voices of those who know the district best—students, families, educators, and community members.

Moving Forward Together

Change can feel uncertain, but I want to assure you that every decision being made is focused on ensuring that Bridgeport’s students receive the education they deserve and that the district has the best possible chance of success. We are not implementing a solution and walking away—because if it falls apart, we have achieved nothing.

I appreciate your partnership, your advocacy, and your dedication. Together, we will strengthen BPS so that every student has access to a Universe of Opportunities and can achieve their highest potential. The challenges we face are real, but so is our shared commitment to creating transformative, sustainable reforms that will elevate educational excellence and secure a bright future for every student in Bridgeport.

Yours in partnership,

Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker

Read this letter in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole

02/20/2025

Commissioner Russell-Tucker Assembles Technical Assistance Team for Bridgeport Public Schools, Approves Governance Training for Bridgeport Board of Education

 

HARTFORD, CT - In response to critical challenges facing Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS), and as authorized by the Connecticut State Board of Education (SBE) on January 22, 2025, Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker announced the establishment of a Technical Assistance Team to work with the Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS) to implement interventions within the district.

Such interventions include, but may not be limited to, addressing the stability of operations of the district, improving student performance – with a particular focus on students whom BPS has found eligible for special education and related services, and addressing other needs of the school district as deemed necessary. The Technical Assistance Team will also provide targeted support in the areas of financial management and instructional initiatives and processes. Regular updates will be provided to the Commissioner to ensure accountability and transparency.

Additionally, Commissioner Russell-Tucker has given initial approval of the Bridgeport Board of Education’s (BBE) selection of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) to provide training to the BBE to ensure the creation of appropriate governing structures and operations.

“The Technical Assistance Team consists of individuals with expertise in public education who bring valuable experience in district operations, finance, special education, and governance.  I am confident in their ability to support Bridgeport Public Schools in this effort. Their guidance will be instrumental in strengthening the district’s capacity,” said Commissioner Russell-Tucker. “A well-functioning Bridgeport Board of Education (BBE) will be key to ensuring stability and progress in the district. We look forward to receiving updates on their work, including reports from CABE on board training efforts. Strong leadership at every level is essential to student success, and through this collaborative effort, important steps are being taken to support Bridgeport’s students, educators, and community in building a stronger future.”

The Technical Assistance Team members include:

• Dr. David Abbey brings decades of experience in special education and district leadership to the Technical Assistance team. Beginning his career in 1973 as a teacher of the blind and visually impaired in California, Mr. Abbey later served as director of special education in Virginia and New Canaan, Connecticut, where he also held the position of superintendent. His work in Maryland and New York has focused on advocating for students with special education needs and improving curriculum and instructional practices. Following retirement, he has continued to support districts through roles such as interim superintendent, human resources director, and executive coach for the State’s Science of Reading initiative.
• Ed Arum, president of Arum & Associates LLC, brings over five decades of experience in school finance, district operations, and facilities management. He has served as acting superintendent of schools in Torrington and as a consultant for numerous districts, providing expertise in central office reorganization, financial oversight, and operational studies. Mr. Arum has overseen large-scale construction projects, including a $185 million new school facility in Torrington, and has authored articles on building trust through communication in School Business Affairs Magazine.
• Dr. Ingrid M. Canady, Executive Director of the State Education Resource Center (SERC), provides expertise in educational equity and systemic transformation. Under her leadership, SERC has developed and implemented initiatives aimed at addressing institutionalized inequities in education and fostering inclusive learning environments. Her background as an educator, advocate, and leader in equity-driven practices reinforces SERC’s role in supporting sustainable improvements within Bridgeport Public Schools.
• David Erwin brings over 40 years of leadership experience in education. He has served as superintendent in Clinton, Canton, Berlin, Avon, Sprague, and Montville. Mr. Erwin has managed operating budgets exceeding $50 million, directed multiple multimillion-dollar school renovation projects, and overseen districtwide staffing, curriculum development, and instructional planning. In addition to his leadership roles, Mr. Erwin currently teaches in the Administrative Preparation Program and Superintendent Preparation Program at Sacred Heart University and previously taught for six years in UConn’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates. Additionally, he was recognized as Connecticut Superintendent of the Year in 2006 and honored with the Outstanding Superintendent Award by UConn’s Neag School of Education in 2005.

To ensure community engagement, SERC is facilitating Listening Sessions to hear directly from educators, students, and community members.

To formalize this critical work, the Connecticut State Department of Education has scheduled an entrance conference between Bridgeport’s Acting Superintendent, Dr. Royce Avery, and the Technical Assistance Team to outline the objectives, expectations, roles and responsibilities, and milestones for progress and accountability. The Technical Assistance Team will work with the Bridgeport Public Schools through the end of this calendar year.

 

###

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 20, 2025

Contact Information:
Matthew Cerrone
CONNECTICUT Education
matthew.cerrone@ct.gov

 

01/22/2025

Connecticut State Board of Education Takes Focused Action to Support Bridgeport Public Schools

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut State Board of Education (SBE) today, acting under the authority granted by Section 10-223e(e)(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes, authorized Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker to address the stability of operations in Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS), improve student performance—with a focus on students receiving special education services—and address other needs in the district as deemed necessary.

 

These interventions include, but are not limited to, assigning a technical assistance team to work in, and with, the BPS to guide district initiatives and report to the Commissioner; requiring the Bridgeport Board of Education to undergo training designed to improve the Bridgeport board's operational efficiency and effectiveness; requiring the potential appointment of a district improvement officer selected by the Commissioner for a term of up to one year; and requiring the prior approval by the Commissioner of any proposed permanent superintendent of schools.

 

The resolution follows a January 9, 2025, presentation to the SBE’s Accountability and Support Committee by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) highlighting the urgent need for intervention and support.

 

To read the full report and action plan, visit: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sde/board/boardmaterials012225/bridgeport_public_schools-action_to_address_district_needs.pdf

 

“Today's action by the SBE is a pivotal moment in ensuring each of the 19,591 students in the BPS has the opportunity to succeed in learning, life, and work beyond school,” said Commissioner Russell-Tucker. “By collaborating with the local Board of Education, district leaders, educators, school staff and students, and the broader community, we maximize our ability to ensure that every child has the support they need to reach their full potential.”

 

Throughout this process, the CSDE will regularly brief the SBE on the progress of BPS in implementing these actions. SBE meetings will also provide an opportunity for parents and families, students, and members of the school community to address the Board through public testimony on this action.

 

###

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2025

 

Matthew Cerrone
CONNECTICUT Education
matthew.cerrone@ct.gov