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Storm Damage Pushes East Haven School Reopening to Sept. 8

Those with concerns about reopening on Tuesday, Sept. 1 were given a delay by Mother Nature as microbursts ripped through parts of East Haven on Aug. 27, causing damage throughout town and to several district buildings and facilities, including the destruction of the recently completed new artificial turf football field. The BOE held an emergency meeting on Aug. 28, deciding to delay the start of school by a week, until Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Parents received an email from Superintendent of Schools Erica Forti that “several of our schools experienced considerable damage as a result of the tornado. There are currently school without power or cell service, some water and roof damage, downed trees and debris, loose power lines and telephone poles, as well as hanging branches in school playground areas that will need to be properly addressed and cleaned up before students can return to school.

At the Aug. 25 East Haven Board of Education meeting, members and supporters of the East Haven Education Foundation gathered outside of East Haven High School to voice their concerns about the district’s full reopening plan. Due to East Shore District Health Department recommendations, only 25 people were allowed in the auditorium for the meeting, though on the YouTube recording, the chants from outside can be heard.

While the petition presented to the BOE asked for the BOE to “reconsider the reopening plan” and several from the in-person audience spoke of concerns, at the conclusion of the meeting, members of the BOE noted that the board did not have a role in approving the reopening plan.