Students and teachers at Coleytown Middle School were prohibited today from using the gymnasium after a small amount of debris from the roof was found inside, Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said.

“The custodian came in in the morning and saw a small amount of debris which obviously came from the roof,” he said.

Concerned, he called Ted Hunyadi, director of facilities, who called the Fire Department and Fire Marshal Ed Zygmant responded.

“We figured it would be better to be safe than sorry so we decided that no kids or adults will go into that gym until we know it’s safe,” Landon said.

By James Lomuscio

Who will replace John Dodig, the popular Staples High School principal retiring after 14 years in June?

Parents of eighth through twelfth graders will have the chance to participate in that decision as they take part next week in a focus group interviewing two finalists for the job.

There will be two meetings, one for each candidate. The first will be held Monday, March 9, at 9 a.m. in the Staples cafeteria , and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, same time, same place, according to Michael Gordon, school board chairman.

The search committee, comprising administrators, teachers, parents and students will then use the parent input, presenting it to the Board of Education for its final decision, Gordon said.

Unlike past years, 2015’s spring break doesn’t appear to be on thin ice due to accumulated snow days.

So far there have been only three school days canceled, and six would be needed to eat into the week beginning April 13, school officials say.

Both Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon and Michael Gordon, chairman of the Board of Education, noted that while this year’s seemingly relentless snow has resulted in several late start days, those delays do not cut into vacation time.

“We only had three (snow days) so far, and we allow for five,” said Gordon.

Fifth grade students at Westport’s Saugatuck Elementary School celebrated children’s author Dr. Seuss’s birthday and National Read Across America Day. The National Education Association sponsors the annual reading motivation and awareness program. The Saugatuck community came together to read and share their favorite books as students and teachers dressed as their favorite book characters. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Ten Staples High School seniors have been named finalists in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. Each will have a chance to earn one of 8,000 National Merit Scholarship awards, together worth more than $35 million.  Final scholarship winners, chosen from a group of more than 15,000 finalists, may be notified as early as March. “Having 10 National Merit Finalists and the fact that all nine semi-finalists became finalists is a visible sign that we have an outstanding student body,” said Staples Principal John Dodig. Pictured are (front row, l-r)  Shelby E. Cataldo and Zachary N. Effman; (back row) Abigail G. Lustig, Megan R. Root, Everett W. Sussman, Kelly W. Pogue, Nicholas D. Massoud, Ian Cole Palmer,  and Jake A. Atlas. Missing from the picture: Claudia Frances Landowne. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Elliott Landon: earned $292,937 last year. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com(2014 Public School Earners [PDF])
Once again, Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon topped the list of the highest paid employees in the Westport Public Schools, according to the 2014 list of the 50 highest paid school employees released today.

Landon, who earned $292,937.08 for the calendar year, is also the highest paid schools superintendent in Connecticut. His figures do not include other benefits provided in his annual contract.

School Business Administrator Elio Longo, who released the list after several requests, came in second highest for the district with an annual salary of $192,692.

Of the top 10, Staples High School Principal John Dodig, who will be retiring at the end of the current school year, ranked third highest paid with annual pay of $183,394.

The Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) today announced that Karyn Morgan, assistant principal of Staples High School, has been named the 2015 High School Assistant Principal of the Year.

Karyn Morgan:  “overwhelmed by this award.” Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Nominated for the award by fellow Staples Assistant Principal Rich Franzis, Morgan “is known for her unsparing personal and professional investment in her school and her single-minded drive to ensure success for every child in her care,” an announcement said.

It quoted Staples parent Janine Bassin as saying: “Karyn has a deep and unwavering dedication to facilitate the best possible high school experience and outcome for each and every one of her students.”

“I am overwhelmed and completely humbled by this award,” Morgan said, according to the news release. “I share this honor with the entire Westport community; a community of individuals who believe in the ideals of education. This honor could not have happened without their support and I will be forever grateful.”

By James Lomuscio

Westport’s Board of Finance by a vote of 6 to 0 with 1 abstention tonight approved a request by Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon for $743,114 from the General Fund for mass communication and two-way radios as added security measures in all eight schools.

School security issues were discussed by Board of Finance and school officials tonight with input from the police and fire departments. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Elio Longo, school business administrator, said the appropriation would be offset by two state grants making the net cost to the town $601,772.

Finance board member Tom Lasersohn abstained, saying he was torn as a father who wanted his children to be safe in school and as a Board of Finance member who, being responsible to the taxpayer, wanted more data.

Others, however, said they were convinced by police and fire officials who spoke at the meeting in support of the appropriation.

By James Lomuscio

UPDATE (clarifies increase percentage) The Westport Board of Education tonight unanimously approved a $111,471,756 operating budget for 2015-16 academic year, a 2.08 percent increase over the current budget.

The school board approved budget’s next stop is the Board of Finance

While it was lower that the 3.75 percent increase that Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon had originally proposed, it was still higher than what Landon had hoped for at the meeting’s start.

Landon wanted to separate the school system’s capital expenses from its operating budget, the same way town government does—a move would have lowered budget by about $400,000 resulting in just a 1.93 percent increase, he said.