By James Lomuscio

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon tonight will ask the Board of Education to approve a five-day, full-day kindergarten for next year – a controversial issue Westport Boards of Education have wrestled with repeatedly over the years.
Elliott Landon: “Unable to find reasons to argue against.” Dave Matlow/WN file photo

In his fourth attempt in his 11-year tenure to begin the program, Landon said he has unanimous support from school administrators, principals, and kindergarten teachers—while acknowledging some parental opposition.

“Taking all of those expressions of interest into account, I continue to be unable to find any reasons to argue against the expansion of our current full-day kindergarten program from an educational point of view,” Landon said in a letter to the school board.

Under the proposal, kindergarten would run Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Currently, it operates during those hours Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Monday and Friday classes held from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

By Jacqueline Rabe

A bill creating tax incentives to school systems that use buses with three-point seat belts, paid for by increasing the fines to reinstate suspended licenses, has unanimously passed the Senate.

It now heads for Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s desk.

“A lot of schools are going to take advantage of this,” said Rep. Antonio Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill, co-chairman of the Transportation Committee.

After nearly two dozen bills in previous years to get seat belts on school buses failed, the issue got a fresh impetus following the death of a student from Rocky Hill earlier this year.

By James Lomuscio

Saying that the Westport Board of Education was not immune from the same fiscal belt tightening as the town during an economic downturn, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight voted against restorations to the school board’s $96 million budget for the 2010-2011 school year.

The RTM members present in the Town Hall auditorium voted 31 to 4 against the $500,000 restoration that the school board had sought, and 25 to 9 against a $250,000 restoration making the Board of Finance approved $96.1 million budget stand.

The votes came after many representatives had argued that the school board would have to learn to manage with less and share the same pain municipal departments experienced Monday night when few restorations were made.

“I’m glad it’s over and everybody had their say,” said Donald G. O’Day, school board chairman.“We’ll now have to cut services to the level that is least offensive to the students.”

UPDATE The Westport Board of Education tonight approved a new principal for Bedford Middle School despite some parents saying they preferred Cary Bell, the interim principal.
Melissa Paolini-Kay: Vote was unanimous. WN file photo

The vote to appoint Melissa Paolini-Kay, currently principal at Coleytown Elementary School, was unanimous. She had been recommended last week by Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon. (See WestportNow Apirl 26, 2010)

Landon told the meeting he selected Paolini-Kay after a consulting firm hired by the board conducted a national search. Paolini-Kay has been principal at Coleytown El since 2006. The appointment is effective July 1.

In recommending her for the job, Landon said “Ms. Paolini-Kay brings to the position a passion for teaching and learning; a love for, and commitment to, children; (and) a broad and diverse knowledge of curriculum and instruction.”

Students in Nancy Giglio’s fourth grade classroom at Westport’s King’s Highway Elementary School today hosted a “Poetry Café” for parents. Each student wrote and recited their own poem. Many children chose an “I am” theme, sharing their achievements, talents, and love of family, but also concerns about parents, grandparents, global warming and even the economy. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Principal John Dodig of Staples High School told the Westport Rotary Club today that 21st century education requires students to gather information, to formulate it and present solutions in a compelling manner that is better than the solutions of any others. Compared to the education process of the past, Dodig said the time for memorizing dates of specific historic events takes a back seat to today’s need for problem solving. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon said today he is recommending to the Board of Education that it appoint Melissa Paolini-Kay, currently principal of Coleytown Elementary School, as the new Bedford Middle School principal.
Melissa Paolini-Kay: “a passion for teaching.” WN file photo

Landon said in an e-mail to parents that the recommendation was made after “an extensive and exhaustive search.” He said the appointment would be effective July 1.

“Ms. Paolini-Kay brings to the position a passion for teaching and learning; a love for, and commitment to, children; (and) a broad and diverse knowledge of curriculum and instruction,” Landon said.

He said she had “a record of positive collaboration with parents and teachers in the operation of her current school” as well as “outstanding and successful leadership as a building principal in Westport.”

By Robert A. Frahm

Lawmakers and representatives of education groups moved closer Thursday to crafting a bill designed to shake up Connecticut’s public schools and help the state qualify for millions of dollars in federal school reform funds.

Among other things, the bill would require more rigorous evaluations of teachers, a fast-track training program for principals and tougher graduation standards for students. A draft of the bill is expected by early next week.

Then comes the hard part, according to the bill’s chief sponsors.

They will have just a matter of days to persuade colleagues in the legislature to pass one of the most wide-ranging education reform bills in years. The legislative session ends May 6.