The Westport Board of Education tonight honored Marguerite “Peg” Tappan, a special education teacher at Greens Farms Elementary School, as Westport Teacher of the Year 2014.  Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon presented her with a plaque as other school personnel looked on. In accepting her honor, Tappan said, “What greater reward than watching a child read his first word and knowing you have helped in giving that child a lifetime gift.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Teacher of the Year nominees posed tonight at a Board of Education meeting at Staples High School with Marguerite “Peg” Tappan (c, pink dress), a special education teacher at Greens Farms Elementary School, who was selected for the honor. They are (l-r) Daniel Cortright (Bedford Middle), Lauren Francese (Staples), Deborah Perry (Coleytown Middle), Jamie Pacuk (Coleytown Middle), Sarah White (Staples), and Peter Alfano (Staples). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Bedford Middle School Spanish teacher, Maria Tombline (red dress) and Lynn Sakuma, general education teacher, monitor bus arrivals today as school resumed after summer vacation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

There was a police presence today at Westport’s Staples High School as school resumed after summer vacation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Mark Pazniokas

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut’s two annual assessments of student achievement showed a mix of gains and retreats in 2013, according to results released by the State Department of Education.

The Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) showed improvements in math, science and reading and a decline in writing scores, while students scored lower in all elements of the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT). [See Westport and other district results here]

The department delayed the release of the results after discovering errors on its School Performance Rating website, which no longer is accessible to the public.

The “assessment data released today was independently verified by an external auditor,” the department said.

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Karen Kleine, a former PTA president and active volunteer with Temple Israel and the Westport Public Library, is the Republican Town Committee’s (RTC) pick to run for the Board of Education, filling the vacancy by Jen Tooker who is running for the Board of Finance..

Kleine will join the GOP slate including Michael McGovern and Jeannie Smith who got the RTC nod for reeletion at its convention in July. The RTC said in a formal statement that if the slate is elected, it will make their party the school board majority, giving it control of the chairmanship.

“Michael McGovern, Jeannie Smith, and Karen Kleine are extremely strong candidates who have each demonstrated their unwavering commitment to excellence in the Westport schools,” noted RTC Chairwoman Desiree Soli. “We are confident that with new strong leadership on the Board of Education in partnership with the team of Jim Marpe and Avi Kaner in the selectman’s office, Westport’s future will indeed be bright.”

The Democratic Town Committee last month nominated Elaine Whitney, board chairman, to run for re-election and Brett Aronow, who last September filled the seat vacated by Democrat Donald O’Day, to run for election.

By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

www.ctmirror.org

A Superior Court judge today ruled that the superintendent of the state’s largest school system is ineligible to run Bridgeport Public Schools.

“The court orders Paul Vallas be removed from his office,” Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis ruled.

Vallas—who was introduced to the Bridgeport Board of Education by state Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor—said during a phone interview tonight he plans to appeal the judge’s ruling.

“Nothing changes,” he said. “It’s not like the decision results in any immediate action. We are going to appeal.”

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By James Lomuscio

It’s official: Westport is diploma elite.

Based on its residents’ increasing levels of education from high school through professional and doctoral degrees, the town has been ranked the ninth most educated community in America by the consumer advocacy website NerdWallet.

In the top 10, it was No. 1 with most bachelor degrees—37 percent.

Westport was the only Connecticut community to make the site’s top 20 list, while Massachusetts boasted five such communities, according to Julia Baily, NerdWallet’s communications associate.