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Board approves multiple policy changes, library rules, staff additions and educator contract
Summary
At its Aug. 28 meeting, the East Haven Board of Education voted on a package of policy revisions and adoptions, approved new library policies and three library aide positions, added one athletic secretary position, authorized an out-of-state student trip and ratified the East Haven Educator Association contract.
The East Haven Board of Education voted on a series of policy and personnel items at its Aug. 28 meeting, adopting changes to special‑education and discipline policies, approving new library policies and positions, approving a district athletic secretary position, authorizing an out‑of‑state student trip and ratifying the East Haven Educator Association contract.
The board moved quickly through several mandated policy changes, including renaming and revising Policy 6159 so it addresses Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and separating the district’s special‑education program into its own policy. The board also approved revisions to Policy 5114 (suspension and expulsion due process) and marked Policy 6172.4 (Title I parental and family engagement) as reviewed. The board waived second readings and adopted new Policy 6171 (special education).
Board members also approved three new library policies — 6161.12 (library material review and reconsideration), 6161.13 (collection development and maintenance) and 6161.14 (library display and program) — and voted to adopt those policies.
On staffing and budget matters, the board approved adding three library aide positions to the operating budget and approved one new Grade 9 athletic secretary position (a reconfigured replacement after a retirement). The board also approved an out‑of‑state field trip for students to the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York on Oct. 29, 2025.
In labor business, the board voted to approve the East Haven Educator Association contract after executive‑session negotiations were held earlier in the meeting.
Votes at a glance - Revise Policy 6159 (Individualized Education Program, IEP): Motion carries. Roll call: Miss DePalma Yes; Mister Hennessy Yes; Miss Johnson Yes; Miss Putney Yes; Miss Santiago Yes; Mister Stacy Yes; Miss Torello Yes; Doctor DeLucia Yes. - Revise Policy 5114 (Suspension, expulsion due process): Motion carries. Roll call: Miss DePalma Yes; Mister Hennessy Yes; Miss Johnson Yes; Miss Putney Yes; Miss Santiago Yes; Mister Stacy Yes; Miss Torello Yes; Doctor DeLucia Yes. - Mark Policy 6172.4 (Title I parental and family engagement) as reviewed: Motion carries (roll call recorded as all Yes). - Waive second reading of new Policy 6171 (Special education): Motion carries (roll call recorded as all Yes). - Adopt new Policy 6171 (Special education): Motion carries (roll call recorded as all Yes). - Waive second readings of library policies 6161.12, 6161.13, 6161.14: Motion carries (roll call recorded as all Yes). - Adopt library policies 6161.12, 6161.13, 6161.14: Motion carries (roll call recorded as all Yes). - Approve 3 library aide positions to the operating budget: Motion carries. Roll call: Miss DePalma Yes; Mister Hennessy No; Miss Johnson Yes; Miss Putney Abstain; Miss Santiago Yes; Mister Stacy Yes; Miss Torello Yes; Doctor DeLucia Yes (Yes 6, No 1, Abstain 1). - Approve 1 new Grade 9 athletic secretary position: Motion carries. Roll call: Miss DePalma Yes; Mister Hennessy No; Miss Johnson Yes; Miss Putney Yes; Miss Santiago Yes; Mister Stacy Yes; Miss Torello Yes; Doctor DeLucia Yes (Yes 7, No 1). - Approve out‑of‑state field trip to Richard Rogers Theatre, New York, 10/29/2025: Motion carries. Roll call recorded as all Yes. - Approve East Haven Educator Association contract: Motion carries. Roll call: Miss DePalma Yes; Mister Hennessy No; Miss Johnson Yes; Miss Putney Yes; Miss Santiago Yes; Mister Stacy Yes; Miss Torello Yes; Doctor DeLucia Yes (Yes 7, No 1).
What the votes mean The policy votes implement state‑mandated separations and updates to the district’s special‑education and student discipline rules, and the new library policies establish a formal reconsideration committee and collection‑maintenance expectations. The personnel votes repurpose budgeted savings from a temporary administrative reorganization and add the stated positions to the operating budget; board discussion tied those hires to duties generated by the new library policies and to operational needs in athletics. The educator contract ratification concludes the negotiations the board held in executive session earlier in the meeting.
The board chair said that revised goals and redlined documents will be presented by the next meeting on Sept. 9.
