Facing severe financial restrictions and other challenges, along with concerns that the city’s school system was not adequately serving the needs of the city’s students, the Bridgeport, CT, Board of Education recently requested that the State of Connecticut take over the running of the city’s schools.
Although there have been other instances in which the State of Connecticut took over the running of a school district (e.g., Hartford and Windham), this is the first time in which the takeover was requested by the school district itself.
Bridgeport’s public schools include 31 elementary schools, three comprehensive high schools, three alternative/opportunity programs, and an inter-district vocational aquaculture school. The schools serve over 21, 000 students, and the school system employs a professional staff of over 1,700.
Media reports:
Connecticut Post: Q & A … what happens next in school takeover? (8 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: Malloy and Finch aides planned out Bridgeport schools’ takeover (8 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: Bridgeport students angry at ’embarrassing’ decision (8 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: Contract approval, with no layoffs, called ‘unconscionable’ (7 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: Befuddled by school board actions, Bridgeport parents demand answers (7 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: State approves takeover of Bridgeport school board (7 JUL 11)
Hartford Courant: State Board Votes 5-4 To Take Over Bridgeport Schools (7 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: Bridgeport schools now in state’s hands (7 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: School board gets ready for state takeover (6 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: School board vote asks for state takeover (6 JUL 11)
Connecticut Post: Commentary: The right course for Bridgeport schools (6 JUL 11)
CTNewsJunkie Commentary: State Takeover of Bridgeport: Beware of the Domino Effect (8 JUL 11)
Background information:
Connecticut State Board of Education
New England City & Town News Notes 