The 79th Annual Candlelight Concert will be presented at Staples High School on Friday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. with tickets available beginning Monday, Nov. 25.

This annual gift to the Westport community showcases the talents of nationally recognized musicians and performers, an announcement said.

Pieces in the evening’s repertoire will include “Sing We Noel,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Hallelujah Chorus” among others.

Groups performing will be Staples choral groups, bands, orchestras and Chamber groups.

By Jarret Liotta

A dramatic drop in student enrollment this year is being called “an anomaly” by a school consultant.

New Board of Education members Lee Goldstein (l) and Youn Su Chao look over enrollment data. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

Regardless, Mike Zuba of Milone & MacBroom told the Board of Education (BOE) Monday night that enrollment numbers will still steadily decrease over the next several years, as has been previously predicted.

On the heels of putting Coleytown Middle School (CMS) students at Bedford Middle School (BMS) following the CMS closing last year, 117 fewer students than were expected began the 2019-20 school year. As of Oct. 1 that number was 122.

“That caused a lot of alarm and we wanted to go back and do a deeper dive,” Zuba said, with the 2.3-% deviation mainly hitting grades 3 through 8, as well as reflecting a smaller incoming kindergarten class.

By Jarret Liotta

After 16 years of service, Chairman Mark Mathias bid farewell to the Board of Education (BOE) tonight.

Outgoing Board of Education members Neil Phillips (l) and Chairman Mark Mathias. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

Neil Phillips, who served a year, was also honored in his departure, as neither man sought reelection this month.

“Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to contribute to so many students’ lives through my service on the Board of Education,” said Mathias, who came to Westport in 2001 from California with his family.

More than anything, Mathias was hailed for his inclusiveness and positive attitude, in particular as chair.

Students at Kings Highway Elementary School today celebrated Pink Day with the help of the Westport Fire Department and its special pink fire engine in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The school was decorated in pink ribbons, and the students, many in pink, chanted “We are brave! KHS is with you! We support you!”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Rosie Jon for WestportNow.com

Westport Firefighters Anthony Maisano and Josh Gamble were special guests today, along with the department’s pink engine, as Kings Highway Elementary School celebrated Wear Pink Day in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

By Jarret Liotta

The Board of Education (BOE) found a compromise Monday night when it decided to put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) likely in the spring for a new law firm rather than fire Shipman & Goodwin LLP outright.

Westporter Marge Cion, a former Board of Education chair, attorney, and former director of human resources for the Westport Public Schools, who now plays the same role for Darien Public Schools, defends Shipman & Goodwin, LLC, as the best law firm for the students and town in general. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

Both the Board of Selectman and Representative Town Meeting (RTM) have publicly asked the BOE to terminate its 27-year relationship with S&G.

The requests followed revelations that the Hartford-based firm — which has been representing a local developer trying to put a stake in the ground in Westport under the 8-30g statute — is now suing the state to try and reverse the town’s four-year moratorium on affordable housing.

“This could have a significant impact on the town,” First Selectman Jim Marpe told the BOE, where he served eight years. He said it should have been common courtesy and decorum for S&G to inform the town about the lawsuit.