With a discovery that advances the field of astronomy, Staples High School junior Antonella Lisanti took overall first place at the Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at the University of Connecticut last weekend.

She was a runner-up in the competition last year and attended the national competition. This year, Lisanti was invited to give an oral presentation of her project, which concerned galaxies that contain black holes.

Working at Yale University, Lisanti examined and categorized over 600 different galaxies.  Her work has supported several controversial theories on the types of galaxies that contain super massive black holes. She also discovered something that may help astronomers understand how these super massive black holes are formed.

Lisanti received a $13,000 scholarship from UConn and a $2,000 scholarship and a $2,000 scholarship from the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

By Jennifer Connic

The Westport Board of Finance tonight received the proposed $161.3 million 2007-08 budget, which is a 6.9 percent increase over the current budget, during its meeting tonight.

The proposal includes a $57.5 million selectman’s budget, which is a 5.9 percent increase over the current budget, and a $89.2 million Board of Education operating budget, which is a 8.4 percent increase over the current budget.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff and Board of Education Chairwoman Mary Parmelee gave presentations of the two proposed budgets.

Joseloff said much of his budget proposal this year, like last year, involves “catching up,” including in public safety and technology.

John Dodig: “Students involved will be welcomed back” after consequences concluded. WN file photoIn a letter sent today to parents at Westport’s Staples High School, Principal John Dodig detailed last week’s drug incident at the school and asked them to “remember that part of being a teenager is making mistakes.”

Dodig disclosed for the first time that nine students were involved in the marijuana incident Thursday which resulted in the arrest of seven students. (See WestportNow March 2, 2007)

He said the nine were suspended from school for periods of from five to 10 days. Some of the seven arrested have been recommended to the Superintendent of Schools for expulsion from school for a length of time to be determined at a hearing but not to exceed 180 school days.

“It is important to remember that part of being a teenager is making mistakes,” Dodig said. “Some mistakes are worse than others and result in dire consequences.

By Jennifer Connic

The Westport Board of Education Monday night began discussions on develping a policy on when police would be allowed in schools. It came just days after seven Staples High School students were arrested on drug possession charges.

The board’s discussion about permitting police in schools—including when there is an incident in the schools—was its first since 2001, and gave direction to its attorney Tom Mooney on writing a new policy.

Board Chairman Mary Parmelee said there are two times police could be in the schools, including when school officials call them and when officers want to talk to a student involved in an incident that did not happen at a school.

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said in his experience in Westport police officers do not come onto school grounds unless they are invited by school officials.

By Jennifer Connic

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon tonight clarified how much will be saved on transportation because of all-day kindergarten, which is $310,000 less than originally anticipated.

The Board of Education approved a plan to implement three full days of kindergarten in the fall along with two days of classes that will end 2 hours earlier than the remainder of elementary students. At that time, Landon said school officials would save $390,000 in transportation costs.

Landon said tonight during the announcements portion of the meeting that he “misspoke” and the actual savings will be $80,000.

Board Chairwoman Mary Parmelee noted that the board approved the measure for its education value and not the savings, but she asked the board if any member wanted to bring the plan back for a re-vote. No one said they wanted a second vote on the matter.

By Jennifer Connic

The Westport Board of Education made clear tonight it will not change its attorney although concerns were raised about a potential conflict of interest since he is from the same firm as the attorney representing a developer suing the town over a residential project.

Attorney Chris Smith, representing Redcoast Development, and school board attorney Tom Mooney are both from Hartford-based Shipman and Goodwin. Redcoat Development is appealing the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision to reject a proposed condominium development, which includes affordable housing, for the Gorham Avenue Historic District.

Mooney said during tonight’s meeting the Connecticut Bar Association ruled 22 years ago that there is no conflict of interest because the Board of Education is a state agency. The question comes up regularly, he said, because the firm has 140 attorneys representing a variety of issues, including 80 school districts in the state, he said.

“This is a land use issue, and it’s unrelated to the work of the school system,” he said. “I represent the Board of Education. I do not represent the town. It’s separate.”

The Westport Public Library tonight hosted a discussion on “Spotlight on Bridgeport Schools—Why Should We Care?” Panelists included (l-r) Marilyn Ondrasik, executive director of the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, Peter Hurst, president of Community’s Bank in Bridgeport, and Dr. John Ramos, superintendent of Bridgeport schools. Noting that many educationally deprived Bridgeport children turn to crime and that the city is a quick ride from Westport, Hurst asked: “Do you want that 18 minutes from this town? I hope not.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Westport Public Library will host a “community conversation” Monday at 7:30 p.m. that focuses on Bridgeport’s school system. It is free and open to the public.
Harold Levine: Westporter will moderate discussion. Contributed photo

“Spotlight on Bridgeport Schools—Why Should We Care?” is sponsored by the Smilow Family in conjunction with the Greater Area Bridgeport Foundation, the Fairfield County Community Foundation, the League of Women Voters of Westport, and the Westport-Weston Clergy Association.

Panelists include Dr. John Ramos, superintendent of Bridgeport Schools; Peter Hurst, president of Community’s Bank in Bridgeport; and Marilyn Ondrasik, executive director of the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition.

The discussion will be moderated by Westporter Harold Levine, co-chair of the Music and Art Center for Humanity in Bridgeport and a member of the Library’s Advisory Council.

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliot Landon tonight canceled Monday’s scheduled staff development day for teachers because of the snow.

Students, who have been on February break along with their teachers, had not been scheduled to return to school until Tuesday.

All school activities scheduled for Monday have been canceled, Landon said. 

Rotary Youth Exchange students met in Hartford last week with state legislators, including Westport Sen. Judi Freedman and Rep. Joe Mioli. Among them were Westporter Stefania Urist, who is going to Brazil, and Westport-hosted Anita Joaquin, who is from Argentina, and Tony Huang, who is from Taiwan. Rotary Youth Exchange provides an opportunity for short (summer) and long-term (academic school year) exchanges around the world. Westport Rotary and Sunrise Rotary have sponsored Anita and Tony for the school year, placing each student with Westport families for three-month periods. Stefania Urist will be living in Brazil and another Staples senior, Jeremy Lawrence, will live in Japan for the 2007-08 school year. The Westport Rotary clubs are seeking Westport families willing to host students from April through June. For more information, contact Dan Long (203) 454-2194. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo