The What: School Budget Challenges Continue, Charter Revision in Norwalk and Fairfield, and more

Kelly Prinz -

Monday, July 14 

Happy Monday! Somehow it’s already halfway through July…where is this year going?

Highlights 

This section gives a brief overview of the key items in the newsletter.

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

Just when school districts across the region were finalizing their budgets for the upcoming year, officials got a new curveball thrown their way. The Trump administration said it was freezing more than $6 billion in federal funding that was supposed to be distributed to schools and day camp providers starting on July 1. In Connecticut, more than $50 million in funding for public schools and community groups is currently being withheld. 

The funding, which supports after-school and summer programs, English language instruction, adult literacy and more, is frozen while the administration “ensures the grants align with President Donald Trump’s priorities,” according to a report from the Associated Press. The money was approved by Congress in March. 

The School and State Finance Project, a nonpartisan policy organization in the state, found that “Connecticut's highest-need school districts are projected to see the greatest losses.”

Bridgeport would see the largest loss of federal funds in the state, a reduction of $3.8 million. The loss of federal funds would cause even more challenges for the district—and others in the region—that have already had difficult budget seasons. 

See how districts have been dealing with budget challenges—and disparities—this year.

This Week at a Glance

This section aims to highlight the most important meetings and news taking place each week. 

  • In Bridgeport, residents are invited to a Board of Education Members Community Forum on Wednesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m. “to collaborate on creating the district’s vision for improvement.” Attendees can connect directly with Board Members, ask questions, and share feedback.
  • In Stamford, the Board of Finance will meet on Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m. and vote on items including funding for an effort to “rebuild the streets around Barrett Park in the Belltown Area of Stamford to improve walkability and safety, based on the Barrett Park Master Plan Project,”
  • In Norwalk, there will be a Special Meeting of the Common Council on Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m. where council members will discuss the proposed charter revisions.
  • Also in Norwalk, the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. and conduct a preliminary review of a plan to bring a 4.5 story mixed use development to Water Street.  
  • In Fairfield, the Town Plan and Zoning Commission will meet on Tuesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. and continue reviewing the application of 105 Biro Street LLC, which would bring 48 housing units to the site. 
  • Also in Fairfield, there will be a Charter Revision Commission and Board of Selectmen meeting on Thursday, July 17 at 6 p.m. where the groups will review the Board of Selectmen’s recommended changes to the proposed charter revision. 
  • In Greenwich, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a special planning meeting on Monday, July 14 at 1 p.m. The commission will review potential amendments to the town’s zone regulations including mandating affordable housing units in new residential developments and regulating smoke shops. 
  • In Darien, the Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on Tuesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. and continue discussing a plan to remove two existing vacant buildings at 104 and 108 Kings Highway, merge the two lots, and redevelop the property with two buildings, each with four apartments. 

Plan Your Week

This section includes a list of meetings, events, and programming happening around southwest Connecticut each week.

Bridgeport

Stamford

Norwalk

Fairfield

Greenwich

Darien

Westport

Stay in touch!

As we continue to grow and evolve, please join us! You can do that by:

Please note: All of these agendas and information here are current as of Sunday night. Meeting times and agendas may get adjusted throughout the week.

Have a great week,

Kelly Prinz

Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times