After worries over construction at Madison Middle School and Trumbull High School and a last-minute discussion about class size, Trumbull Public Schools opened smoothly, according to Supt. Gary Cialfi.
New Dattco school buses picked up students Tuesday morning, part of a new contract the district signed earlier this year.
The first crop of all-day kindergarten students, who were the guinea pigs of the program last year, entered first grade. School officials reported that almost none of the kindergarten students who entered the program last year opted to use early dismissal.
"We're so excited. The opening was tremendous. It's going so well. It's been a great morning," said Supt. Gary Cialfi, who stepped up in July from assistant superintendent with the retirement of Ralph Iassogna.
As the summer progressed, the town raced the clock to complete repairs to a wall at Madison Middle School. Concerns again cropped up that THS still needed work and concerned parents packed a Board of Education meeting in August to ask for lower class sizes.
The Madison School work is finished, Trumbull High School passed inspection and fears of large class sizes were allayed, Cialfi said.
"We have everything under control," the superintendent said.
In particular, he said Trumbull High School was in the "best shape" on opening day than it had been for six or seven years. Work remains to be done on the roof and other "odds and ends" but all work will take place outside of the regular school day.
He added that Dattco's services worked out well on the first day.
"We went with a new company, saved some money. They're very community oriented," Cialfi said.
At the last estimate in early August, 6,841 students were enrolled in Trumbull schools, six less than last year.
Also, about 41 students will be part of the freshman and sophomore classes at the Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet High School, according to the superintendent.
That school opens Thursday.
It was also THS Principal Marc Guarino's first day with students.
"It was a wonderful opening to the 2013-2014 school here at Trumbull High School. Our custodial and maintenance staff did an incredible job to prepare our facility for students, teachers, and staff members," he said.
"Our teachers, staff, and administrators enthusiastically welcomed our students. It was wonderful to meet so many positive and engaged students. The student body is second to none and I’m fortunate to serve as Principal of Trumbull High."
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
