School Board approves athletic trainer and truancy officer contracts amidst budget concerns

The East Haven Board of Education meeting on May 27, 2025, was marked by a significant discussion surrounding the approval of a secondary attendance truancy officer contract. The board members engaged in a heated debate about the necessity and implications of hiring a dedicated truancy officer for secondary schools, especially in light of budget constraints affecting elementary education.

Board member concerns were raised regarding the workload of elementary principals, who currently handle attendance and truancy issues without additional support. One member emphasized that elementary principals are already stretched thin, managing multiple responsibilities, and questioned the need for a truancy officer when attendance issues could be addressed at the elementary level by existing staff.

The discussion highlighted the stark contrast in support systems between elementary and secondary schools. While secondary schools have multiple guidance counselors and administrative support, elementary schools rely heavily on principals and social workers. This disparity raised questions about resource allocation and the effectiveness of hiring a truancy officer when elementary attendance rates are comparatively lower.

Despite the concerns, the board ultimately moved forward with the approval of the truancy officer contract, alongside contracts for an athletic trainer and an athletic facilitator, both of which were also unanimously approved. The board's decision reflects ongoing efforts to address chronic absenteeism, particularly at the high school level, where rates have reached alarming levels of 19%.

As the board continues to navigate budget challenges and resource distribution, the implications of these decisions will be closely monitored, particularly regarding their impact on elementary education and overall student support systems.