By Jennifer Connic

The Westport Board of Education spent today discussing the 2007-08 school budget proposed by Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon.

Landon has proposed a $89.3 million budget, which is a 8.9 percent, or $7.3 million, increase over the current budget.

The discussion today ranged from insurance to class size to guidance counselors.

The budget discussions will continue during the board’s next meeting on Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Staples High School.

Board of Education Chairwoman Mary Parmelee (l) asks a question during a board budget session today with Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon (c) and Assistant Superintendent for Business Nancy Harris (r). Landon has proposed a $89.3 million 2007-08 school budget, which is a 8.9 percent, or $7.3 million, increase over the current budget. The board is spending the day at the Westport Public Library discussing the proposal. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jennifer Connic for WestportNow.com

Richard Franzis: Activated by U.S. Army Reserves WN File PhotoBy Jennifer Connic

One of Westport’s Staples High School assistant principals has been called up to active military duty and will be deployed to Iraq later this year.

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon announced Monday night that Richard Franzis, Staples assistant principal who is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, has been called up to active duty.

The 51-year-old Fairfield resident and father of three, who is adviser for the sophomore class, will be on active duty for 18 months, he said.

Staples Principal John Dodig said Franzis’ last day at Staples was Friday and will travel to Pennsylvannia next week for two to three months of training before going to Iraq.

By Jennifer Connic

The Board of Education heard arguments tonight from parents who both support and oppose a form of an all-day kindergarten program, but many cited problems with the proposal.

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon has proposed a kindergarten program where students would attend three full days of school and two extended days (See WestportNow Jan. 7).

Landon based his proposal on the recommendation from the staff stating kindergartners need more time in order to have time to explore and play. Additionally, he cited a survey in which two-thirds of parents chose a preference for full-day kindergarten.

“We are not proposing this to add to the curriculum,” Landon said tonight. “It’s to offer the existing, fully-comprehensive program in a more relaxed atmosphere with a greater opportunity for socialization and exploration.”

By Jennifer Connic

For the third time during his eight-year tenure, Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon has proposed changing the kindergarten program so students are attending a full day of school.
Elliott Landon: “urgent need” for full-day kindergarten. WN file photo

Landon has proposed kindergartners attend three full days of school and two extended days of school per week based on the results of a survey of former kindergarten parents. The plan would go into effect for the 2007-08 school year.

The Board of Education will discuss the survey results during its meeting at 8 p.m. on Monday at Staples High School.

Landon, who marks his eighth anniversary with the Westport school system this week, could not be reached for comment.

By Jennifer Connic

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon is putting the final touches on his 2007-08 school budget proposal, which will be presented to the Board of Education on Friday.

Landon would not give an indication of how much his proposal would increase the current budget, but he did say he would ask for more teachers.

“We are trying to adjust for an increase in enrollment in some areas and a reduction in other areas,” he said. “The increases, however, are outweighing the reductions.”

It means there will be an increase in teachers, Landon said, but there will not be any increase in the number of administrators.

Elliott Landon: “We want students to enjoy their childhood.” Dave Matlow/WN file photoWestport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon, in a holiday message to parents, said the community must balance expectations of students so they can enjoy adolescence and childhood and not be in a race to be No. 1.

“Even as we want our students to be the best they can be, we also want them to enjoy their childhood, learn at their own pace, and know that each of them is valued as an individual regardless of whether they get straight A’s or make the honor roll,” he said in a message sent to parents and posted on the Board of Education Web site.

“We believe childhood and adolescence should be a pleasurable journey, not a race to be No. 1.” 

Landon said he and other Westport educators recently met with Westport clergy representatives to discuss “pressures on children in our high powered community.”

By Jennifer Connic

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon has considered redistricting to solve the space problems at Bedford Middle School, but he said he believes there would be problems with doing so.

This week a Westport Board of Education discussion on class size led to a discussion on how there are more students at Bedford Middle School than the school—which opened in 2001—was constructed to hold. The school was built for 800 students, and enrollment projections predict more than 800 students to attend Bedford.

Landon said he has considered redistricting, but it would be a problem because of Westport’s tradition of having feeder schools.

Right now, students who attend Greens Farms, Long Lots and Saugatuck elementaries attend Bedford. Those who attend Coleytown and King’s Highway elementaries attend Coleytown Middle School.