Amidst a multi-million dollar budget deficit, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has struck an agreement to reinstate bus service cuts for Bridgeport Public Schools for the 2025–2026 school year ahead of the start of a new school year.
An authorized plan that would have raised the maximum lengths that students might walk to school would have disqualified thousands of Bridgeport K–12 pupils from bussing. The cuts would have saved the district more than $4 million, as the Connecticut Post first reported earlier this month.
In a statement released Wednesday, CSDE Commissioner Russell-Tucker said, “We were able to assist in securing a more cost-effective agreement that reduces student walking distances and restores safe, reliable bus service for Bridgeport students.”
The team successfully negotiated agreed-upon savings and more effective transit routes with the district’s transportation firm, according to a CDSE representative.
The budget deficit for Bridgeport Public Schools is more than $30 million. A Technical Assistance Team was authorized by the State Board of Education in January to assist Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS) with financial management and other district operations.
State Sen. Herron Gaston (D-Bridgeport) expressed concern about the safety of some youngsters who could have to walk great distances to get to school if bus services were discontinued.
In addition, Gaston was worried about how the cuts may affect the district’s chronic absenteeism and truancy problems.
According to Gaston, it would just make matters worse and prevent pupils from receiving a top-notch education. Giving them the transportation they require to ensure the safety of our children is the least we can do.
According to publicly available data, over one-third of Bridgeport pupils experienced chronic absences during the 2024–25 school year, which is a record high over the previous five years. Missing 10% or more of the academic year is considered chronic absence, according to the state Board of Education.
“State Rep. Chris Rosario, who chairs Bridgeport’s legislative delegation, stated that ensuring dependable bus transportation for Bridgeport students is essential to bolstering their education and everyday success.”
When asked about the more effective transit routes, CDSE responded that, similar to most districts, the district and bus company will decide the number and position of bus stops based on factors including geography and student population.
Additionally, CDSE verified that the new agreement’s $825,000 in state financing made up the shortfall. $875,000 was been up in the Bridgeport municipal budget for school transportation.
Matt Dwyer of Connecticut Public provided reporting assistance.
