By Robert Kanehl
At its regular meeting Monday night, Sept. 22, the Board of Education gave permission for the high school Music Department to conduct an overnight trip to Norfolk State University in Virginia Beach. The trip will allow students to experience what the next level of music instruction and commitment entails, according to the Board application. The trip is planned for April 9 – 12 with space for 150 students to participate.
The estimated cost will be between $800 to $1,000 per-student depending on the number of students and fund-raising efforts. Once on the Norfolk State U. campus East Hartford students will attend collegiate music classes and rehearsals, similar to previous trips the department has conducted to UConn and WestConn. Various fund-raising activities are being planned.
The Board also approved grant applications for two proposed capital improvement projects: one at the high school for flooring abatement, and the other at Goodwin Elementary School for Univent replacement. Once the applications are approved by the state, these projects will be prepared for bid.
Two annual operational grant applications were also approved: the 2024-2025 CSDE’s Consolidated Alliance-PSD Grant Application, used to help cover District operation costs required by the state. The second grant application was an extension of the 2026 Head Start for about $2 million. This funding will cover the cost of the program.
The majority of the meeting was devoted to a review of Superintendent Thomas Anderson’s District Strategic Plan and his goals for this year. These both address test data, chronic absenteeism, improving community participation, and streamlining central administration business functions.
Anderson noted that the prime aim for him and for the district is academic improvement; that could not be achieved without addressing other areas of his strategic plan.
In addressing that plan, the superintendent told the board his goal would be to create “a pre-school to 12 continuum”. He pointed out that the district would be sensitive to the needs and desires of the residents concerning what the school system produces.
“The stronger the town residents believe in our schools the more support we get,” he said.
Last year’s East Hartford school district testing data was addressed. Anderson noted that not only will the district strive to continue consistent growth at the elementary level it will also address the drop in middle school test scores.
Steps are already being implemented that focus on this. The district is reworking the middle school Language Arts curriculum and assigned its instructional coaches to focus on middle school classrooms.
Financially, the board was informed the 2025 fiscal year that closed June 30 ended with the district able to pocket a $1.8-million capital reserve. A $2.5 million surplus in the personnel account countered overages in the cost of Special Education and Magnet School tuitions.
