NEW HAVEN, CT — The Board of Alders Education Committee sent a letter Friday, Oct. 9, demanding 16 high-priority actions to address health and safety hazards in New Haven Public Schools. All 16 steps are due within 30 or 60 days.
Committee Chair Gary Hogan of Beaver Hills and Vice Chair Frank Redente Jr. signed the letter along with four other alders. The New Haven Independent published the complete letter. It was addressed to school board members, the superintendent and Mayor Justin Elicker after the Sept. 29 committee workshop, where teachers, students, families and community members gave testimony for nearly five hours about leaks, mold, pests, broken doors and windows, temperature extremes and bathrooms. Leaders of the city's Health Department, Emergency Management office and Fire Department confirmed the problems were serious and widespread, according to the letter.
Alders Seek Repair Plans, Standards and Public Tracking
The alders said district leaders brought no concrete plan to the workshop. They want a public, building-by-building dashboard tracking HVAC, leaks, mold, pests, electrical and other repairs, with status and expected completion dates. They also seek a 12-month plan to pursue state school construction grants for roof and HVAC work, after noting that errors in earlier applications led to rejections, and a fundraising plan to finance needed repairs.
Other 30-day requests include written response deadlines based on how dangerous a problem is, a districtwide mold and moisture protocol, and an integrated pest-management program. The alders also want broken doors, locks and windows fixed, bathrooms repaired, exposed outlets covered, and enforceable temperature and humidity standards.
The 60-day requests include indoor air quality monitoring in every school, portable HEPA air purifiers as a stopgap, and a five-year facilities and preventive-maintenance plan. The letter also calls for professional certifications for facilities staff, a clear chain of responsibility, and a restorative process that acknowledges ongoing harm to school communities and helps build trust. It asks the district to review contractor agreements that were not fully carried out and explore recovering money from poor work.
The letter also addresses a dispute between the New Haven Federation of Teachers and the district. This year, administrators require union Vice President Jenny Graves to teach full time instead of being released from classroom duties, as in past years. The union has argued the move is retaliatory. The alders sided with the union and asked the board to restore her full release.