BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — While students were away for summer break, teams across Bridgeport Public Schools worked to prepare for the 2026-2027 school year through teacher recruitment, facility improvements, instructional planning, and operational enhancements. “We had a lot of work in front of us this summer, and our people stepped up,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Royce Avery. “Whether it was hiring teachers, preparing our buildings, strengthening instruction or improving our systems, the focus was the same: doing better for our students.” Teacher recruitment remained a top priority. The district reduced more than 80 teacher vacancies to 21, including just one remaining Special Education vacancy, through aggressive hiring efforts and summer interview events. Building Operations teams completed projects across the district, including HVAC upgrades, playground improvements, bathroom renovations, gym floor work, painting, exterior repairs, environmental testing, and preparations for the future John Winthrop and Skane campus. Academic teams strengthened literacy and mathematics instruction by refining curriculum, pacing guides, teacher resources, and professional learning. The district continues to emphasize foundational literacy, reading comprehension, small-group instruction, financial literacy, and targeted support for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Five Bridgeport teachers also helped develop the new BPS Classroom Framework to promote engaging, positive, structured, and safe learning environments. The district also completed implementation of all 34 forensic audit recommendations, strengthening financial procedures, internal controls, human resources practices, budgeting, and district operations, while continuing efforts to monitor and sustain those improvements. “We know there are still challenges ahead, but there is real progress happening across Bridgeport Public Schools,” Avery said. “I am grateful to everyone who worked throughout the summer to get us ready. Now that our students are back, we keep moving forward together.” With students now back in classrooms, the summer preparation has shifted into the work that matters most: turning that progress into a stronger school year for every Bridgeport student.
