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Superintendent's Weekly Update-January 25, 2026
Dear BPS Community:
Bristol Public Schools and Offices will be closed tomorrow due to the storm. I will be in close communication with our City Department of Public Works regarding a potential delay or closure on Tuesday. As a reminder, I have shared our protocols for inclement weather below. Hoping everyone stays warm and safe throughout the storm.
Inclement Weather:
Inclement weather or other emergencies may cause Bristol Public Schools to cancel school, delay the opening, or close schools early. BPS understands the disruptions these decisions may cause for families and staff; however, we use information from several sources to make the best possible decision.
Every effort is made to inform our families as early as possible, but due to the unpredictable nature of severe weather events, a decision may be made in the morning. The District makes every attempt to decide by 5:00 a.m.
School closure decisions are made for the entire District, not specific areas, to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the public.
Communicating School Closures:
IF BPS schools are forced to close, open late, or dismiss early, families will be notified in the following ways:
-
ParentSquare: BPS utilizes the ParentSquare mass notification system. ParentSquare allows administrators to notify families by phone, text, and/or email.
- To update your contact information, contact your child's school, or
- Complete the form: R3-1 Parent/Other Contacts/Legal Guardian Information Update on Powerschool Parent Portal
- Websites: The District website and all school websites will display a pop-up alert.
- Social Media: Coming Soon!
- Local Media: The following television and radio stations can be checked for school closing information:
In partnership,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent's Budget Proposal for 2026-27:
On January 24th, I presented my proposed budget for the 2026–27 school year. I want to take this opportunity to explain the reasons for the proposed increase and the principles guiding this request.
As Superintendent, my responsibility is to present a complete, accurate, and transparent picture of the actual costs of operating our school district. Doing so ensures that the Board of Education, the City, and the broader community have the information needed to make well-informed decisions about funding our schools.
My proposed budget request is $152,303,185, which represents an 11.17% increase from last year. This proposal reflects both current financial realities and essential lessons learned from a recent finance and operations audit conducted by CLA for Bristol Public Schools. That audit found that budget overages in prior years were due, in part, to initial budgets that underestimated actual costs, leading to recurring shortfalls. This proposal is designed to address those issues by aligning our budget more closely with real and predictable expenditures.
The primary drivers of this increase include:
- Contractual salaries and employee benefits
- Rising costs associated with special education tuition and services
- Transportation and fuel expenses
- Necessary building, site improvements, and equipment
In addition to internal planning, I have met with the Bristol Legislative Delegation to discuss collaboration and advocacy for increased state education funding to help reduce the burden on local taxpayers.
I remain committed to transparency and ongoing dialogue with our community. Additional opportunities for discussion will take place during upcoming budget workshops, and I encourage families and community members to stay engaged throughout this process.
Link to Superintendent's 2026-27 Budget Proposal: https://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/budget
Link to CLA Audit: https://files.smartsites.parentsquare.com/4769/bristol_public_schools_-_report-vfinalmarch_2025_1.pdf
A video from the presentation will be posted shortly on the Bristol Public Schools YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@bristolpublicschools/videos.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Dr. E. C. Whitehead Scholarship “BreakFest”:
On Monday, January 19th, I had the honor and privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Reverend Dr. E. C. Whitehead Scholarship “BreakFest.” The event provided an opportunity for the Bristol community to honor the legacies of both Dr. King and Dr. Whitehead and to reflect on how service to others enriches all of our lives. I was particularly encouraged to see so many of our young people in attendance and am confident that Dr. King’s teachings will continue to live on for generations to come.
Senator Murphy's 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest:
Bristol Eastern High School Students Recognized:
Bristol Eastern students again were recognized in the regional contest sponsored by the Classical Association of New England (CANE). Students created original Latin mottos for themselves in alignment with the Contest rules. Students' success will be publicly acknowledged at CANE's annual meeting in March. Congratulations to Ms. Katherine Reddick and her students for this outstanding achievement!
Bristol Early Childhood Collaborative:
The Bristol Early Childhood Collaborative will launch an Early Childhood Parent Council to connect parents of children from birth through age 8 across the community, particularly families who may not be enrolled in formal childcare settings or education with parents who are. Through this council, parents will have the opportunity to build connections, help shape early childhood resources and programs, and bring an additional, meaningful parent voice to the community table. Please see attached flyers for more information.