# Meeting of the Operations Committee Mon 10/5/2026

At the October 5, 2026 meeting of the Bridgeport Public Schools Operations Committee, members voted to refer several purchasing items to the full board. The committee approved referral of an amendment to the ELM landscape-cutting contract, originally approved at $275,000, to authorize up to $75,000 in additional services, including emergency tree work and other needs. The added amount is a contract ceiling, not a commitment to spend the full amount; costs exceeding it would require further approval. Members also referred Cheapscapes’ spring and fall cleanup contract for approval at $139,500. Six bids were received, and the district said the work covers seasonal leaf and branch pickup across schools. The committee further referred the 2026–27 food bid results, based on lowest item costs, and authorization to solicit bids for 2027–28 food purchases. The district described plans for student tastings and feedback as part of developing future food bids.

The committee also received a grants update: 81 applications totaling $85.8 million had been submitted during the reporting period, with $7.02 million awarded and approximately $78.79 million pending; officials noted that $48 million of the pending amount was already included in the state budget. Members discussed, but made no decision on, whether to seek state financial oversight and possible funding through MARB. The superintendent cited a projected $20–25 million budget gap and said more information was needed before the board could decide. Members also discussed the upcoming budget calendar and requested regular financial updates; no additional procurement decisions were identified in those discussions.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 05, 2026

### Sources
- [Meeting of the Operations Committee Mon 10/5/2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKd49-qDJ2g) - Bridgeport Public Schools