East Haven superintendent reports 16.58% chronic absenteeism, launches Band Fest and paraeducator mentor program

Interim Superintendent Adam Swinney presented a midyear update at the Feb. 10 East Haven Board of Education meeting, reporting that district chronic absenteeism is currently approximately 16.58%, about one percentage point lower than February 2025. He said Grades 6 and 10 show elevated absenteeism and that the district tracked a significant spike in December; staff are using the Panorama Student Success platform to monitor attendance and design interventions.

Swimney (as the Superintendent reported in the minutes) also said students who participated in the summer literacy enrichment program are showing accelerated progress compared with peers who did not participate; the superintendent said the program sustainability is being built into Title I resources. The district is reviewing Extended School Year programming for exceptional learners to limit summer learning loss.

The superintendent announced the district's first-ever Band Fest, led by Steve Wolf and the music department, will bring instrumental students in grades 5–12 together for collaborative sessions and performances, including a presentation by the U.S. Air Force Band. The board was told photos and updates will be shared after the event.

The minutes record a new onboarding initiative for on-site paraeducator mentors led by Cindy Giammatti; representatives from each building will support new hires through mentorship and shadowing to scale a model piloted at JMMS.

The board was told a digital midyear report on progress toward Board-adopted goals will be shared via email and includes narrative summaries and linked evidence for the district’s priority areas.