Across the district budget ‘haircut’ explored for Bridgeport schools

Interim School Superintendent Aresta Johnson speaks to urge city council to fully fund the school board budget request during a meeting at City Hall's Council Chambers in Bridgeport, Conn., on Tuesday Apr. 25, 2017. The board wants $11.4 million over what it gets now. less Interim School Superintendent Aresta Johnson speaks to urge city council to fully fund the school board budget request during a meeting at City Hall's Council Chambers in Bridgeport, Conn., on Tuesday Apr. 25, ... more Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Buy photo Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Across the district budget ‘haircut’ explored for Bridgeport schools 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

BRIDGEPORT — School officials will explore the impact of cutting 6 percent in expenses as they brace for a 2018-19 budget that is expected to leave them $13 million short.

The directive came on a 5-1 vote of a Board of Education that was unable to commit to any of the cuts suggested by Schools Superintendent Aresta Johnson at a special meeting Monday.

Board member Chris Taylor likened an across-the-board reduction to a “haircut,” which would concentrate on outside contracts and central office but spare nothing, including teacher salaries.

“News flash — we already have Bridgeport teachers that are underpaid,” Taylor said. “They are here because they love their job. They love their students … They should be paid $100,000. Unfortunately, we don’t have it. And if they are going to leave over 6 percent, we don’t want them here anyway. Good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Bridgeport Education Association President Gary Peluchette said teachers will not be taking a pay cut and will not accept the furlough days suggested in Johnson’s budget gap plan.

“We have a signed contract,” Peluchette said. “They have to abide by it. Perhaps Mr. Taylor needs a class in contract law. Mr. Taylor’s comments are part of the plantation mentality, as far as I am concerned.”

At some point, Peluchette said, the city and state have to take responsibility for properly funding a school system that has been shorted for years.

Bridgeport was “Exhibit A” in a decade-long Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Educational Funding trial recently decided in the state’s favor. The district was also subject to a since-overturned state takeover in 2011 when a majority of the the school board threw up its hands over the budget that forced deep staffing cuts. The state-appointed replacement board determined the district was woefully underfunded.

Back in local hands, the district has been virtually flat-funded for four years, at $245 million, as costs have risen. The district of 21,000 students has lost nearly 200 staffing positions, including kindergarten aides, guidance counselors and home school coordinators.

Federal grant money used to pick up some of the general budget slack, but that, too, is being cut.

“We have cut as much as we can from general fund,” Elizabeth Maurer, the district’s budget manager, told the school board. “We are literally at bare bones. There is nowhere to turn.”

District officials say $14 million more — including about $5 million in contractual salary and benefit increases — is needed in 2018-19 to maintain the status quo.

The district is promised $1.1 million more in state funding under a legislative budget approved last year.

Johnson, who heads Wednesday to the City Council to present the budget, was hoping to have a spending plan in hand. She implored the board to at least agree to the $6 million in cuts suggested by her office, or to suggest alternatives. Her list would shave two days off the school calendar, consolidate some classes and make cuts to elementary school assistant principals, instructional coaches, the school volunteer office and bus transportation for some students.

Board member Jessica Martinez opposed cutting assistant principals. Board member Joseph Sokolovic was against cutting the two employees who marshal hundreds of volunteers. Board member Hernan Illingworth wanted to save at least some math and reading coaches.

Board member Dennis Bradley agreed with Taylor that a 6 percent cut seemed the most equitable thing to do.

“Look for 6 percent across the board, concentrating on central office and contracts” before staff,” Bradley said. Staff make up 76 percent of the budget.