The East Haven Board of Education convened on August 26, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the farewell of outgoing Superintendent Eric and the introduction of new Superintendent Adam. The meeting began with a reminder for board members to review last year's goals, with a focus on revising and voting on new objectives in the upcoming meeting. The distinction between goals and objectives was emphasized as crucial for effective planning.

During the standing committee reports, the board discussed the approval of the teachers' contract and acknowledged the athletic department's successful recruitment of fall coaches. Board member Jack highlighted the recent ring ceremony for the co-op hockey team, commending the efforts of staff in creating a high-quality presentation.

Superintendent Adam provided a report on the successful convocation that welcomed faculty and staff back for the new school year. He praised the hard work of maintenance and administrative staff in preparing for the school opening, noting a significant number of new student registrations, particularly at the middle school level. The positive atmosphere on the first day of school was noted, with teachers and staff receiving students with enthusiasm.

The meeting also included a presentation on the summer literacy enrichment program, which aimed to combat the "summer slide" in academic skills. The program saw participation from 94 students in grades K-3 and 18 in grades 4-5, achieving a 36% outreach success. The program's structure included small group literacy rotations and project-based learning, with a focus on maintaining academic progress over the summer. Notably, 22% of participants avoided summer slide, while 38% demonstrated growth in their literacy skills.

Additionally, the board discussed professional learning initiatives for the year, emphasizing a focus on depth over breadth in training. New pathways for teacher leadership and curriculum implementation were introduced, alongside ongoing support for multilingual learners and special education teachers.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the board's commitment to setting clear goals, supporting staff development, and enhancing student learning outcomes as the new school year begins. The next meeting will focus on finalizing the revised goals and continuing discussions on educational strategies.