With Bridgeport Public Schools facing a massive budget deficit, layoffs and a forensic audit, Mayor Joe Ganim pulled no punches Friday in addressing the situation - especially as it relates to the district's nine-member school board.

"My level of concern has risen to the alarm level. If it calls and needs for these board members to resign, and have the state take over, those were some of the conversations that we had in Hartford Monday," Ganim told News 12, referring to the first day of the new legislative session.

"There is a massive budget deficit and when I ask questions about it - and about a wide array of other problems - I get no answers," Ganim said.

But School Board member Robert Traber says the situation is not as dire as Ganim is claiming.

"There's no $40 million we're missing. We have a $30 to 35 million shortfall next year," Traber said.

Traber said "the idea that the district is in crisis" began under previous board and district leadership when a complaint was sent to state education officials alleging financial mismanagement.

Dr. Royce Avery took over as acting superintendent after Dr. Carmela Levy-David went on medical leave in November. She's not expected to return.

Traber says the funding shortfall is being addressed.

"It means cutting money out of this year's budget so that we have less of a hill to climb in next year's budget," Traber said.