East Chicago schools open with 3,181 students; superintendent cites mixed ILEARN results and staffing gaps

Superintendent Darnell Burnett told the School City of East Chicago Board of School Trustees on Aug. 12 that the district opened the 2025–26 school year with 3,181 students and 424 new enrollees, and that first-day attendance was 86.83%.

Burnett said district-level ILEARN proficiency varied by grade and subject and described those results as a mixed picture that showed pockets of growth and clear areas needing support. "Our third graders are 14% proficient" in English/Language Arts and fourth grade 9%, Burnett said; he gave fifth grade at 14% and eighth grade at 18%. For math, he reported third grade at about 20% proficiency and said middle-school math proficiency was lower (seventh grade 6%, eighth grade 7%). At the high school level Burnett reported ELA at 31% and said combined math-and-reading proficiency across tested grades was low.

Why it matters: Burnett framed the figures as a baseline for targeted interventions. He highlighted notable growth and singled out certain schools for praise: Washington School won a summer reading challenge, Harrison had the highest math proficiency for the district on ILEARN 2025, and Block had the highest ELA proficiency.

Supporting details: Burnett said the district is paying attention to growth measures as well as proficiency. He cited growth gains in ELA and math at multiple schools — naming Washington, Harrison, Block, Lincoln and McKinley — and said staff will present more detailed data at a later work session after state releases are finalized. He also said the district had 69 vacancies over the summer and opened the year with 40 vacancies across positions including paraprofessionals, security and social workers; classroom teacher vacancies were 13 (a 95% fill rate). Burnett encouraged using a substitute staffing agency to improve coverage and noted Central High School saw a nearly 20% increase in SAT EBRW performance that he described as a positive sign.

Board and community notes: Burnett introduced several new administrators to the public, including Lincoln Elementary principal Dr. Elroy Estes and Catherine Broadnax, the district's new career and technical education director. The board and audience members applauded the schools and staff recognized in the presentation.

What’s next: Burnett said the district will present a more detailed public discussion of ILEARN results and an extended work session at a later date.