Government watchdog John Marshall Lee offered some pragmatic advice to the City Council last week–marinate in the City Charter. His presentation to the city’s budget and legislative body follows:
About 25 hours ago most of you stood before a gathering of this community, placed your hand on a holy book and said I Do and/or I Will when the Oath of Office was read. Including: “Solemnly swear you will faithfully and impartially execute duties of said office according to the laws to the best of your skill, wisdom, judgment and ability.” To those of you who are new to this body or who approach it with a fresh mind and solid expectations for the role this legislative body must play for the people of Bridgeport, I will encourage you to read and review our City Charter often until it becomes second nature. The Charter is currently and regularly violated in one or more ways and that has been the case after several of the recent Councils have been sworn in.
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City Schools Struggle With Demographic Disparity Among Students And Teachers
December 9th, 2013 · 60 Comments · Analysis and Comment, Education, News and Events
Student population by ethnicity/race.
In Bridgeport schools, the Hispanic/Latino demographic makes up 49 percent of the student body while teachers of the same demographic comprise 10.45 percent of the faculty. Black/African American students account for roughly 38 percent of the student population while black/African American teachers total about 13 percent. White students account for 9.27 percent of the total student population. White teachers, 74.30 percent of the faculty. These statistics provided by school officials at the request of OIB illustrate a demographic gulf the new-look Board of Education will be challenged to close.
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