To the Editor:
Since 2020, I have been warning that Bridgeport Public Schools were heading toward disaster. The reason was simple: temporary COVID funds were temporary but staff, special ed, transportation—would remain. Without increases tied to inflationary costs from uncaring city, state, and federal officials Bridgeport would face a crisis in 2024–2025 and beyond.
Unfortunately, I was correct. The federal funds are gone, and the district has alreasy cut tens of millions of dollars, resulting in an incalculable damage to our students. The problems don’t stop there. If nothing changes, Bridgeport Schools require at least 24 million in additional aid just to keep services just as they are today. Many staff positions have already been cut, and without new funding, nothing is off the table school closures, layoffs, increased walking distance are possible.
We need a plan for equitable funding. A plan that takes into account inflationary pressures on our budget.
Bridgeport students have been asked to learn without adequate supplies for decades. To match the per-pupil spending of wealthier towns like Greenwich, we would need about $80 million more every year. That gap is not just a number—it’s larger class sizes, fewer supports, and diminished opportunities for our children.
However, I fear that this is just not in the cards, mainly due to the chronic underfunding by Ned Lamont, and Joe Ganim with new threats from Donald Trump (don’t get distracted all cuts thus far lie at the feet of the Governor and Mayor)
Some may argue that funding has risen each year. This is mostly true, however it has not risen enough to keep up with inflation, and the loss of federal aid. After years of cuts, our district is already at the bone. The idea that this is about “administrative waste” is a myth. (Although we need to always cut admin before the classroom of course). A myth pushed by both Governor Lamont and Joe Ganim, it seems almost like they want our children to remain behind in order to work in the service industry for the gold coast.
So what now? We need the voting public to get involved and pressure our legislatures to enact in special session:
• Emergency state aid to increase education funding in the flat funded second year of the Biennial budget.
• A plan to close the $80 million gap with wealthier districts.
• A wealth tax, like the rest of New England and the Tri- state area, dedicated to fund our schools.
This should have been done years ago now the bill has come due. It’s not too late to act. Bridgeport students aren’t asking for special treatment; they are asking for fair treatment. When schools are funded equitably, we fund futures equitably.
Don’t let our kids be pawns.
The time for action is now.
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Joseph Sokolovic is the Vice Chair of the Bridgeport Board of Education and seeking re-election.