Commentary By Board of Education Vice Chair Joe Sokolovic:
Hello Bridgeport,
I recently submitted my response to the Blue Ribbon Commission’s survey on Connecticut school funding. While I welcome the opportunity for public input, I left the experience very concerned that everyday community voices will be lost in the mix.
The survey asks if school funding truly helps students, if districts require stricter oversight, and if administrative services should be shared. By implying these measures aren’t already in place, these questions deflect from the core issues. More importantly, they fail to highlight the systemic disparities baked into Connecticut’s current financing structure.
Optional surveys favor affluent areas with strong civic infrastructure and the privilege of wealth. Meanwhile, families in under resourced urban districts like Bridgeport encounter roadblocks that make civic participation far harder. Without intentional targeted effort, the Commission risks listening primarily to those who profit from the status quo.
Connecticut’s Education crisis isn’t a lack of accountability—it is a lack of adequate, equitable funding. Education quality should never depend on local property values, yet our heavy reliance on property taxes leaves Bridgeport children at a constant disadvantage.
The state’s (ECS) formula must live up to its promise of leveling the playing field. The foundation per-pupil amount has been frozen while expenses balloon; it needs an immediate adjustment to between $16,000 and $17,000 to mirror actual educational expenses. Additionally, the formula’s metrics must weigh family income far more heavily than property value, which currently inflates our city’s apparent capacity to pay and hides urgent financial needs.
Special education demands a similar shift. Legal and ethical obligations guarantee every child a free and appropriate education, yet local taxpayers carry an unfair proportion of that cost. The state must step up to fund special education fully, preventing recurring local budget emergencies while safeguarding essential services.
I urge Bridgeport residents, our families, students, teachers, and taxpayers—to complete this survey and attend public forums. Educational equity cannot be decided solely by wealthy towns with the resources for advocacy.
We must demand real action: boost the ECS foundation, curtail reliance on property taxes, and secure full state funding for special education. Stand up and make your voice heard, Bridgeport.
I have provided a video primer in both English and Spanish here you should watch before answering the survey.
English https://youtu.be/_7bTySJJy7I?is=IX5sh0WbSgxS01MI
Spanish https://youtu.be/Cblff9IOL-c?is=VLIw8uMF_NEVwnCN
Survey: Blue Ribbon Commission on K-12 Funding and Accountability: Public Survey https://share.google/3E45rgBcAIvitI7cT
A lack of motivation and serious desire to learn? As the years pass I’m less convinced that more funding alone is the majic bullet. It’s much more complex with so many moving parts.
How do you arrive at your theory since Bridgeport Public Schools have never been properly funded.
I guarantee that if our children and system were funded at the same level as the white wealthy systems and children, our system children would out perform those those of the wealthy districts.
Maybe that is the whole point. To create a permanent under class to perform manual labor for the Gold Coast.
You can lead a horse to water…
Too many children and teens stuck to cell phones and video games.
I’d put students in El Salvador against fully funded Bridgeport students and I’d place my bet on El Salvador. I wonder how many school principals I can pay in El Salvador with the cost of one principal in Bridgeport.
At the pace America is going, we’re doing to have to seek Foreign Aid from China and others.
Have you noticed how Shrinkflation is taking over? Increase education funding and still the quality of education shrinks.
Ever notice when groceries, rent and utilities, increase by 70% over 13 years and your paycheck ony rises 10% your quality of life goes down?
Same with school funding.
If Money was not the biggest determining factor in outcomes, explain why the entire Gold coast ans wealthy towns (all in the top ten) spend thousands more than the state average and about 7-9k more than Bridgeport per pupil?
Data points only, no feelings please.
As far as El Salvador don’t have enough data points.
Do they have SLL (Spanish Language Learners)
Unfunded mandates
School choice siphoning children
Astronomical SPED costs?
Thanks Lennnie.