Governor Lamont Calls for Change in Bridgeport Schools Amidst Challenges of Leadership and Resources
On Friday, an important meeting shed light on critical issues facing our schools. The teachers’ firsthand accounts were so compelling and insightful that they demand more than a typical report. Their voices offer a unique perspective on the challenges and realities they encounter every day—perspectives that deserve to be heard.
Bridgeport, CT — During a candid discussion with local educators and officials, Governor Ned Lamont emphasized the urgent need for systemic change within Bridgeport’s struggling school system. The governor, who has decades of experience addressing education issues, expressed deep concern over the district’s challenges, ranging from resource shortages to leadership instability.
“I think you’ve been let down by lousy leadership,” Governor Lamont stated bluntly. He pointed to mismanagement of funds, bloated administrative overhead, and frequent turnover in key leadership positions such as the Board of Education and superintendent’s office. “The money is not going to your classrooms,” Lamont said, calling the situation “shameful” and urging unions and administrators to ensure taxpayer dollars are allocated to directly support students and teachers.
The governor’s remarks followed a heartfelt session with teachers, Mayor Joe Ganim, and Acting Superintendent, during which educators painted a grim picture of the daily struggles faced by students and staff alike. Teachers spoke of overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, and the challenges of addressing the needs of students dealing with trauma, language barriers, and poverty.
One teacher, a 22-year veteran of the district, described classrooms bursting with nearly 30 students, many of whom require individualized attention due to diverse learning needs or recent migration to the country. “When you have 29 students with different learning needs, it’s incredibly difficult to provide the instruction they deserve,” she explained. “Some of these students are dealing with trauma that makes it impossible for them to focus on academics.”
Another teacher shared how innovative strategies, such as using translation apps and bilingual instruction tools, have been critical for reaching English Language Learner (ELL) students. However, even these efforts are hindered by a lack of sufficient support staff, such as social workers, guidance counselors, and interventionists. “We need people,” the teacher stressed, noting that trauma and poverty are significant barriers to learning. “Kids can’t focus on letters and sounds when they’re hungry or walking to school past drug dealers and violence.”
The need for comprehensive family engagement was also a recurring theme. Teachers explained that many parents want to support their children’s education but face challenges such as language barriers or lack of access to resources. Some teachers have resorted to providing materials in Spanish and utilizing technology to bridge the gap, but systemic support remains lacking. “We need to meet families where they are and provide the tools they need to be part of their children’s education,” one educator said.
Governor Lamont echoed these concerns and highlighted stark inequities between Bridgeport and neighboring districts like Fairfield. “Why are predominantly Black and working-class students in Bridgeport facing these challenges while classrooms a few miles away have half the number of students and better resources?” Lamont asked. He stressed that all children deserve equal educational opportunities, regardless of their ZIP code.
Mayor Joe Ganim, who joined Lamont at the meeting, has been actively pushing for state support to address Bridgeport’s budget shortfalls and resource gaps. “We’re working together to see what we can do to turn things around,” Ganim said. “Our kids deserve better.”
In addition to calling for leadership changes, Governor Lamont outlined steps to address the crisis, including increasing access to social services, expanding family engagement programs like the LEAP initiative, and bringing in apprentice teachers from local colleges to assist in classrooms. He also emphasized the importance of addressing basic needs, such as food security, to ensure students are healthy and ready to learn.
Despite the challenges, many teachers expressed hope that with the right support and leadership, meaningful change is possible. “We need to address the root causes of these inequities,” one educator said. “We owe it to these kids to give them the same opportunities as their peers in more affluent districts.”
As the discussion concluded, Lamont reiterated his commitment to helping Bridgeport’s schools and urged stakeholders to come together for the sake of the city’s children. “This isn’t just about money,” he said. “It’s about leadership, accountability, and making sure every dollar goes where it’s needed most—into the classrooms.”