Westporter Amy Lang captures a milestone moment today on the first day of school. Posing (l-r) are sisters Cassie (third grade) and Elizabeth Lang (first grade), brothers Aidan (pre-school) and Jared (fourth grade) Parnes. The were waiting for the bus to Coleytown Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A group of students from Westport’s Bedford Middle School waited for the school bus today on the first day of school. About 5,800 students are enrolled at Westport schools this year. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

By James Lomuscio

The strengths and weaknesses of Westport Public Schools’ special education programs took center stage tonight as the Board of Education heard recommendations for services improvements from a task force of parents and educators.

At times the report seemed awash in educational jargon and an alphabet soup of acronyms foreign to most, but its focus—to better serve special education students and their parents—remained clear.

The eight-member Special Education Task Force, responding to a 2009 survey by Diagnostics Plus, found that while improvements have been made since the last 2006 survey, six areas still required comprehensive action.

Cyndy Gilchrest, director of pupil services, presented the report along with several members of the task force including Lynn Sellon, Barbara Fischetti, Wendy Sobelman and Marina Derman.

By James Lomuscio

The Westport Public Schools will see 60 more students, 27 new teachers and three new principals as they open their doors on Wednesday.

A school bus on the media of Post Road East at Long Lots Road reminds residents that Westport schools open on Wednesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The schools will also be doing more with less, school board members say, as the $94.6 million town approved school budget is a 1.6 percent increase over last year, less than contractual obligations for salary increases.

On a positive financial note, Donald O’Day, chairman of the Board of Education, noted that the school system will garner a $500,000 savings by switching its health plan for teachers from Anthem Blue Cross to Cigna, a switch permitted via the contract hammered out between the school board and the Westport Education Association, the teachers’ union.

“The good news is that the school system continues to be very well run from a financial standpoint,” O’Day said. “The board and the administrators are doing everything they have to do to keep the schools running as best they can with the budget they have been allocated.”

The Staples High School Class of 1970 celebrated its 40th reunion over the weekend with festivities that included a tour of the new Staples and a picnic at Compo Beach. The main event was held at the Norwalk Inn on Saturday evening (picture). Smoke, a classmate group that performed during high school days, was playing its last number and groups of friends were hugging and saying goodbye when, spontaneously, the entire group formed one huge hugging circle. The 1970 class was the largest class ever to graduate Staples with 782 graduates and it was the last year that Weston graduated its students from Staples. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Mary Palmieri Gai for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

The Westport school board and town government can work together to find savings and be more efficient, “but separation is paramount,” Donald O’Day, chairman of the Board of Education, said tonight.
Don O’Day: “separation is paramount.” Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“We have to do it in a way that is beneficial to school children and the taxpayers and in accordance with state law,” O’Day said at the first board meeting after a six-week summer break.

That consensus was reiterated by board members and Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon throughout the evening as the board responded to a report entitled “Internal Audit Report: Procurement Town of Westport and Westport Public Schools” by the town’s internal auditor, Lynn Scully. 

True, efficiencies can be learned and savings gleaned, they said, but there is a fine line between cooperation and surrendering autonomy in violation of state law. Connecticut statute requires local school boards operate independently of municipal governments, answering only to the State Department of Education.

By James Lomuscio

Cheers from more than 3,000 well wishers and family members resounded off the rafters of Westport’s Staples High School Field House today as 405 graduates marched in to “Pomp and Circumstance” for the school’s 123rd commencement exercise.
Staples Principal John Dodig gives valedictorian Naveen Murali a hug today after he picked up his diploma. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

With cameras flashing and attendees fanning themselves with programs in 90-degree heat, the graduates in the bleachers remained upbeat from the opening senior Orphenians rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” to the recessional march.

“It’s very exciting,” said Susan Colasurdo as she watched her son Casey James, who will be attending Fordham University, walk in with the class.

Despite the Field House being uncomfortably hot as it was filled to standing-room-only capacity, a spirit of optimism prevailed, underscored by the quote from Theodore Roosevelt on a banner hanging from the ceiling.

This group of Staples Class of 2010 members was all smiles at today’s graduation ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com