East Haven's 8th Graders Moving on Up?

While members have not yet held any formal discussions on the topic Chairman Thomas Hennessey said it is "more than a rumor" members are considering the possibility of moving the district's 8th grade classes from and into

"There is some talk of the 8th grade coming up here," Hennessey said at last night's school board meeting, which was held at the high school.

Hennessey was responding to a parent's question during public comment. The woman had asked if there was any truth to the "rumors" around town about the school board thinking about shifting the 8th grade into the high school.

"I don't want to continue rumors, but it's definitely one of the things we're talking about," Hennessey replied.

The chairman said consideration of the move has been prompted by the district's dwindling enrollment numbers.

Hennessey and his fellow board member Charles Scalesse noted the high school was built to house a student body of 1,500. And although eight or nine years ago it was home to a student population of 1,200 kids — today it only serves some 875 students.

Hennessey said "there's a lot of resources here" in the high school, which is another reason the school board is considering the 8th grade move.

He added, however, that before any kind of decisions are made, the district will be consulting with the community to receive residents' input about any proposed changes to the high school's structure.

Also, Hennessey suggested the district consider the possibility of creating a special advisory committee — made up district officials, teachers, parents and students — to explore the option of moving the 8th grade classes to the high school.