🗣️🗣️🗣️ FACT: if you are a parent, teacher, student or someone who simply loves our kids, we need you to PACK THE ROOM on Thursday, May 1st at 6pm at City Hall to testify for more 💰💰💰💰 for our public schools!!
⏰ The public hearing will start at 6:00pm. There will be a sign-up sheet at the front podium. Speaking is first come, first served. Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak, which will be timed. There is NO LIMIT on the number of speakers.
📝 Please consider writing your testimony down first and bringing a printed copy. It will be easier to stay on track and on topic. Finally, if you can’t make it in person, you should email your testimony to ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. Click here for their emails:
https://www.bridgeportct.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/CC_CityCouncilMembers2023-2025hyperlinkwemailamended_2024-06-07_0.pdf
🗳️🗳️ It is a City Council election year so it is important they hear from as many stakeholders as possible!!!! 🗳️🗳️
READ MORE FACTS ABOUT BRIDGEPORT'S TERRIBLE RECORD OF EDUCATION FUNDING 👇👇👇👇👇👇
📉 FACT: Since 2014, just by the state AND the city refusing to keep education funding increases up with the rate of inflation, our schools have experienced a $42 million cut.
📉 FACT: Our grand list - i.e. the value of all our taxable property - has not grown significantly during the same 11 yr period. Therefore, our overall budget has barely kept up with inflation.
🚨 FACT: The budgets for certain large departments - like the police - have grown faster than the city budget, squeezing out money and resources for other departments. The Education Budget has taken the greatest hit.
👎 FACT: Out of 166 school districts in the state, Bridgeport is #162 when it comes to net spending (state, city, federal combined) per pupil. We’re also in LAST place when it comes to the amount of city dollars spent per pupil.
💰 FACT: The Bridgeport Board of Education is asking for a $68 million increase this year, just to stay at current operating levels. Of that, the BOE is needs the city to give it $25 million.
👎 FACT: Mayor Ganim has proposed only a $3 million increase, the same as last year. (meanwhile, the police department is receiving a $4 million increase).
😳 😡 FACT: This means the BOE is has already approved drastic cuts for next year if we don't get the funding we need - like making elementary students walk 1.5 MILES before receiving a bus and high school students walk 2.5 MILES.
Also check out other Kids events & activities in Bridgeport.
