Board approves multiple field trips, contract templates and staff pay; disposes of high school tech assets

The East Haven Board of Education voted on several agenda items including out-of-state field trips, contract templates for Overbrook Early Learning Center staff, staff salaries for Overbrook, and disposal of East Haven High School technology assets.

Major outcomes

- The board approved the out-of-state field trip request to Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Roll-call votes recorded all members voting yes; the motion carried.

- The board approved the Overbrook assistant teacher contract template and the Overbrook lead teacher contract template; both motions carried on roll-call votes with all members voting yes.

- The board approved proposed salaries for Overbrook staff for the 2025–26 school year set at $25.26 (reported on the agenda as $25.26). The board’s roll call recorded five yes votes (DePalma, Johnson, Putney, Santiago, DeLucia) and three no votes (DeLongo, Hennessy, Torello); the motion carried.

- The board approved the aviation program’s out-of-state field trip to Washington, D.C. The roll call recorded a single no vote from Mr. Hennessy; the motion carried.

- The board authorized disposal of East Haven High School technology department assets; the motion carried unanimously on roll call.

- The board voted to add an agenda item to consider an additional aviation field trip, and then approved the aviation program’s field trip to Orlando, Florida; that vote also carried with one recorded no vote from Mr. Hennessy.

Context and clarifications

Board members and administrators confirmed that the Overbrook positions and the proposed salary increases are grant-funded and were presented as a grouped list rather than individual contracts. Administrators said salaries reflect a combination of staff longevity and qualifications; specific individual salary differences were discussed but the board noted individual contracts are not singled out for separate approval.

The district said the aviation program’s travel costs for flights and buses would be covered in part by grant funding; the district would cover hotel and food costs from program funds as indicated in the trip backup materials. The Washington, D.C., itinerary included monument visits, an attempt to secure a Capitol tour, and a planned visit to the National Air and Space Museum; return travel was scheduled the evening after the museum visit. The Orlando itinerary listed a date of travel (form date and trip dates are included in the submitted packet).

Administrators also described a contract with Marsha Brenner Associates to provide PowerSchool plug-in work and reporting support for the district; that contract was discussed elsewhere in the agenda as part of administrative support services.

Votes (roll-call details)

- Approval: Out-of-state field trip — Johnson & Wales University (Providence, RI). Outcome: approved. Vote record: Miss DePalma: yes; Miss DeLongo: yes; Mr. Hennessy: yes; Miss Johnson: yes; Miss Putney: yes; Miss Santiago: yes; Miss Torello: yes; Dr. DeLucia: yes.

- Approval: Overbrook assistant teacher contract template. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Miss DePalma: yes; Miss DeLongo: yes; Mr. Hennessy: yes; Miss Johnson: yes; Miss Putney: yes; Miss Santiago: yes; Miss Torello: yes; Dr. DeLucia: yes.

- Approval: Overbrook lead teacher contract template. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Miss DePalma: yes; Miss DeLongo: yes; Mr. Hennessy: yes; Miss Johnson: yes; Miss Putney: yes; Miss Santiago: yes; Miss Torello: yes; Dr. DeLucia: yes.

- Approval: Overbrook staff recommended salaries for 2025–26 ($25.26). Outcome: approved. Vote record: Miss DePalma: yes; Miss DeLongo: no; Mr. Hennessy: no; Miss Johnson: yes; Miss Putney: yes; Miss Santiago: yes; Miss Torello: no; Dr. DeLucia: yes. Notes: Administrators said all positions and increases are grant-funded and were vetted with staff prior to the meeting.

- Approval: Out-of-state field trip — Aviation program to Washington, D.C. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Miss DePalma: yes; Miss DeLongo: yes; Mr. Hennessy: no; Miss Johnson: yes; Miss Putney: yes; Miss Santiago: yes; Miss Torello: yes; Dr. DeLucia: yes.

- Approval: Disposal of East Haven High School technology department assets. Outcome: approved. Vote record: Miss DePalma: yes; Miss DeLongo: yes; Mr. Hennessy: yes; Miss Johnson: yes; Miss Putney: yes; Miss Santiago: yes; Miss Torello: yes; Dr. DeLucia: yes.

- Addition of agenda item 6.8 (aviation Orlando trip) and approval of the out-of-state field trip to Orlando, FL. Outcome: approved (item added by vote; then trip approved). Vote record on addition: unanimous yes; vote record on trip approval: Miss DePalma: yes; Miss DeLongo: yes; Mr. Hennessy: no; Miss Johnson: yes; Miss Putney: yes; Miss Santiago: yes; Miss Torello: yes; Dr. DeLucia: yes.

What board members asked and what followed

Board members asked for clarifications about frequency and billing for police traffic duty at the middle school, how Marsha Brenner Associates supports PowerSchool plug-ins and report building, and why an individual lead teacher’s salary was lower relative to assistant teachers; administrators explained salary differences reflect staff longevity and qualifications and reiterated that the salary pool is grant-funded. The board accepted meeting minutes from the prior meeting by unanimous roll call earlier in the session.

Next steps

Administrators said the district will proceed with the approved trips and contract templates. The board discussed scheduling a budget workshop on April 1 and noted a possible schedule conflict with a Board of Education public hearing moved to April 22; members said they will reconfirm meeting dates and may call a special meeting if needed.