Scenes from tonight’s Staples High School baccalaureate ceremony. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon gets no raise next year, as the Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to maintain his total compensation—$292,937—at the current level.

Even so, Landon still remains the highest paid superintendent in Connecticut.

Last year Landon got a 1.75 percent bump up, though there was no raise the previous year, according to Elaine Whitney, school board chairwoman.

“As is our practice every year, the board conducted a careful review over the course of several executive sessions of the superintendent’s performance across a range of key dimensions,” Whitney said “We also benchmarked the superintendent’s compensation relative to our peer districts.”

Almost every space to study was taken at the Westport Library today as Staples High School students prepared for final exams. Finals began Friday and continue through Wednesday. Graduation is on Friday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

With finals underway at Staples High School, students jammed the Westport Library to study and prepare together. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

At Greens Farms Academy today in the morning rain, 84 seniors graduated in what was the first indoor commencement ceremony in recent memory. School Head Janet Hartwell told the class of 2014 that “the heavens were weeping” because they were departing the school. A cohesive group with great school spirit, the class applauded each other, laughed, and teared up at the speeches and presentations. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Eric Dexheimer (c) of Westport before going on stage today as Greens Farms Academy class salutatorian. Known for his quiet intelligence, he spoke about balance and quipped that his speech was probably the most words his classmates had ever heard him utter consecutively. His science research was honored this year at the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, and he will be attending Northwestern University in the fall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Sophie Tepler of Westport was all smiles today as she took part in the Greens Farms Academy commencement exercises, which were moved indoors because of the weather. Sophie will be attending Columbia University in the fall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

By James Lomuscio

With the Board of Finance’s unanimous approval of a school board $500,000 request tonight, educators are hopeful that all first floor windows and doors at Westport’s eight public schools will be covered this summer with a 3M film to slow down access for those who would do harm to children and teachers.

Elio Longo, school business administrator, discusses school security at the Board of Finance meeting. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The matter now has to go to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for final approval.

In late April, the RTM approved a $200,000 Board of Education request for the installation of 1,425 high security, classroom locks recommended by Kroll Security, Inc. in response to concerns generated by the Newtown school shootings almost a year-and-a-half ago.

“The fact is this cost will cover fully all windows and doors on the first floor,” Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said about the appropriation from the town’s general fund balance.

The Staples Tuition Grants Committee today presented 112 students with $320,000 in grants at a ceremony held at the school library. Among the recipients was Christopher Engengoro (l), 17, the inaugural awardee of the Doug Sheffer Memorial Scholarship.. Ann Sheffer, sister of the 1968 Staples graduate who died in January in a Colorado helicopter crash at age 63, said her brother held a backstage role with Staples Players and requested that the recipient of the grant be one who had a similar role at Staples. Engengoro, who will attend Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C. in the fall, fit the bill. “This is one way we can keep the legacy of Westport alive through the generations,” Sheffer said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com