Linnea Jagenberg, 10: program has made her “less shy and more confident.” WestportNow.com photo from School Television

UPDATE Parents and students made emotional pleas to the Westport Board of Education tonight to retain the Kool To Be Kind (K2BK) anti-bullying program for third graders.

A high school mentor in the program told of being bullied in elementary school and having his lunch stolen every day. Another said his tormentor made “Greens Farms Elementary School my own living hell.” They both said they gained immense satisfaction helping today’s third graders cope with bullying.

Linnea Jagenberg, 10, a fifth grader at Long Lots Elementary School, said the program “has made a great impact on my life” and taught her “many ways to stand up for people and myself.”

“It has made me less shy and more confident,” she said. “I don’t feel I will get bullied for standing up for what is right. I’ve started to look at my life at a different point of view after third grade.”

Team members celebrate as Bedford Middle School placed third in today’s Connecticut Science Olympiad Competition held in Farmington. The Science Olympiad is a nationwide organization dedicated to promoting science education through conducting competitive science tournaments. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

By James Lomuscio

After two hours of debate and public input, Westport’s Board of Finance tonight approved by a 4 to 3 vote the Board of Education’s proposed $109,202,984 operating budget for 2014-15.

The budget presented by Elaine Whitney, school board chairwoman, represents a 4.2 percent increase over the current year, and it is $1.8 million less than Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon’s $110.8 million budget initially submitted to the Board of Education.

A motion by finance board member Tom Lasersohn to cut the budget by $200,000, which he described as “one quarter of 1 percent,” was defeated by a 5 to 2 vote. Lasersohn made the motion, challenging the school board “to find that money without affecting programs.”

For the past few months health insurance costs have overshadowed school budget process due to what was described initially as a $2 million health insurance fund shortfall in the 2013-14 budget blamed on unexpected, exorbitant claims.

Staples High School valedictorian Eliza Llewellyn (l) entered Staples not expecting to enjoy science. But she loved it so much she took Advanced Placement biology and chemistry. Melissa Beretta (r), salutatorian, did not think she’d like social studies. Yet honors Western Humanities sparked an interest that led to the Advance Placement government course as a junior. This year, she’s a teaching assistant in the course. These insights into the top Class of 2014 scholars were released by the town school office today along with this picture. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

When the Staples High School Class of 2014 got together in the field house for a group portrait, Inklings, the school newspaper, made a video record of the shoot. InklingsNews.com video

By James Lomuscio

UPDATE After more than three hours of discussions, debates, some contention and going in circles, Westport’s Board of Education voted unanimously tonight to defer, perhaps until June, its planned request to the Board of Finance for a healthcare insurance appropriation for this year.

The Board if Education meets tonight about its healthccare appropriation request. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

One of the reasons is that the school board has more has more pressing matters on its plate—the proposed $110.3 million school operating budget for 2014-15, which the Board of Finance will pore over Thursday night.

Another reason is that the school board was at odds over how much to fund health insurance risk corridor, a reserve that acts as a buffer against skyrocketing claims.

Elaine Whitney, school board chairwoman, proposed a 5 percent risk corridor, and school board member Paul Block argued that the school board did not need its own reserve, but should tap into the town’s $22 million reserve if needed.

The 2014-15 Westport Public School kindergarten registration has begun, the schools office announced today.

An announcement asked families moving to Westport for the new school year and parents of entering kindergartners to register their children now.

“Please don’t wait until the last minute,” said Schools Superintendent Ellliott Landon. ” Let us know now that you are here so we may plan for the optimal education for your youngsters.”

Those who are not sure of their district elementary school can find the information on the school district website, westport.k12.ct.us or they may call the superintendent’s office, (203) 341-1026, an announcement said.

Eighteen students have been invited, with their parents, to the annual high honors dinner to celebrate their overall achievement at Staples High School, the schools office announced today. They rank in the top 4 percent of their graduating class. They are (back row , l-r)  Sarah Fox, Steven Sobel, Warren Schorr, Charles Jersey, Nicholas Stern, Jack Cody, Charles Sonenclar, and Ben Goldschlager; (middle row) Carly Steckel, Katherine Cion, Eliza Llewellyn, valedictorian, Deanna Baris, and Amanda Mezoff; (front row) Ariana Sherman, Emma Moskovitz, Liana Sonenclar, Melissa Beretta, salutatorian, and Anais Mitra. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon made official tonight what many had expected—too many snow days so far this year will mean a shortened April break.

He told a Board of Education meeting that Monday, April 14, will be a school day.

“Unfortunately, we had to use more than five days, which means we will have school on Monday,” Landon said.

In response to a question from member Brett Aronow, Landon said he would discuss with high school administrators whether those who have already made plans can make up the day’s work.

Westport Police Detective Sereniti Dobson, the department’s youth officer, tells Westport middle schoolers tonight about dangers that lurk online. The evening’s topic,“Social Media and The Law: What every kid needs to know about their rights and responsibilities in a digital world,” was moderated by Jen Cirino, Westport school system’s coordinator of Information and technology. Also taking part were Detectives Phil Resteri and George Taylor. The Westport Police-Youth Collaborative, which aims to foster closer ties between police and teens, sponsored the “cop shop” at Toquet Hall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com