Leave No City Behind Campaign
for Equitable State Funding Continues.

BCAC Data Continues to Astound State Leaders

§  Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management Robert Genuario, Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan, and House Speaker Jim Amann met with BCAC to find out more about the inequities in state education funding that shortchange Bridgeport schools.

§ With 70 different languages spoken in the schools, nearly 95% of students economically disadvantaged, fewer children with pre-K, and 24 failing schools, Bridgeport requires more – not less – funding from the state.

Looming Sate Deficit Derails Campaign

§ The spring 2008 legislative session failed to act on needed budget changes to adequately fund education, leaving Bridgeport schools with a substantial deficit.

City Keeps State Funding from Schools!

§ City of Bridgeport increased deficit for Bridgeport schools by keeping $1.4 million in state ECS (Educational Cost Sharing) funding rather than giving it to the Board of Ed.

§ When Bridgeport received an unexpected windfall of $800,000 due to changes made in the legislative special session, it did not provide any additional funding to ease the education budget cuts.

City and State Budgets Cause $7.2 million Deficit and Huge Cuts for Board of Education

§ The Board of Education is laying off nearly 40 top administrators, assistant principals and deans of students, custodial and facilities staff, and support staff.

§ It has made major cuts to purchases of textbooks, instructional supplies, equipment maintenance, computers, and substitute teaching.

Bridgeport Schools Suffer Worst Nightmare:

$7.2 Million in Cuts for 2008-09, Following

$24 Million in Cuts Over Last Four Years!