Sunday’s Boston Globe spotlights retired Staples teacher Don Schuman and his wife Charlene who have operated a Maine bed and breakfast for the past 10 years � and are about to give it up.

“We’re going on 10 years now, and the average length of time in the B&B business is seven,”  Schuman told the newspaper. “Life is short. We want to do something else.”

Schuman, who taught at Staples for more than 30 years, was an active faculty member, “chairing this and that committee,” working with the drama department, on curriculum development, and as adviser to the school paper.

“I was Mr. Staples High School,” he said.

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon has named Richard A. Leadem, the newly-retired principal of Holland Hill Elementary School in Fairfield, interim principal for Westport’s Long Lots Elementary School, it was announced today. 

He also announced that Catherine Carmona will be assistant principal at King’s Highway Elementary School.

Leadem will replace Barbara Lasher, who retired at the end of June. Leadem had served at Holland Hill for 15 years. Previously, he served 10 years as principal of Manchester Elementary/Middle School in Manchester, Vt.

Leadem will begin his interim assignment Aug. 15 and is expected to remain at Long Lots through the end of the current school year, a school statement said.

Michael McGovern:New board member debuts. Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.comBy Jonathan Thrope

Overcoming a last-minute glitch, the Westport Board of Education Monday night approved an agreement with the manufacturer of synthetic turf playing fields for new fields on school property.

The board accepted a gift from Sprinturf towards the installation at the Stadium Field and Jinny Parker Field at Staples High School. The company will also construct new fields adjacent to Saugatuck Elementary School and at Wakeman Park.

The Wayne, Pa.-based company agreed to make a matching grant to the money raised by the Field of Dreams Committee for the project, whose total value is estimated at $2.85 million. The company said it had reduced the cost to $1.55 million in exchange for a branding agreement.

Earlier, Mary Parmelee, board chair, raised some issues regarding the branding agreement. She also had concerns about the appropriateness of a plaque that would be placed at each field as well as an exclusivity clause within the contract that would restrict the board from purchasing turf in the future from any company besides Sprinturf.

John Dodig: Thanks Board of Education for his appointment tonight. Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.comBy Jonathan Thrope

The Westport Board of Education tonight unanimously approved John Dodig, who served as interim principal for much of this year at Staples High School, as the school’s new principal.

The vote followed the unanimous approval of Dodig by the Principal Search Committee as well as an interview the board held with Dodig in executive session before the public meeting.

Dodig was first publicly announced as a principal candidate July 6 when he held three question and answer sessions with the public. At these sessions, he vowed that he would remain as Staples principal for five years. (See WestportNow July 6, 2005)

Board Chair Mary Parmelee said that in Dodig, Staples will be gaining a principal with a “passion for education which is clear to everyone who has met John.”

She described him as well-rounded, intelligent, and an excellent problem solver.

The Westport-based Charter Oak Challenge Foundation awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to 15 students who recently graduated from Bridgeport high schools.

Andy Boas, Charter Oak’s president, said each scholar will receive $10,000 over four years and a laptop computer.

The amount of each scholarship escalates each year, he added, from $1,000 in the student’s freshman year to $4,000 by senior year. Each recipient is also paired with a trained adult mentor who provides guidance throughout the student’s college years.

“The students chosen have overcome tremendous obstacles to become leaders in their schools and communities,” said Boas.

By Jonathan Thrope

John Dodig, the interim principal of Westport’s Staples High School since last October, said today he wants to do away with the interim label and become the school’s long-term leader.
John Dodig (meeting with community members today): Being with students makes me feel “young, happy, vibrant.” Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Addressing about 15 teachers, parents, and reporters at a “meet the finalist candidate session” at Town Hall this morning, Dodig, 61, said that if selected for the job, he would remain at Staples for at least five more years.

“I had no idea that the fit would be as good as it is,” Dodig explained. He said being with the students “makes me fell young. It makes me feel happy. It makes me feel vibrant.”

His announcement was an unexpected twist in the principal search that began in October when former Principal John Brady, who himself started as interim principal but later took the job permanently, left to become the superintendent of the Amity, Conn., school district.

The finalist candidate for principal of Westport’s Staples High School is a familiar figure � John Dodig, who has served as the school’s interim principal since last October. Dodig, 61, met with community members this morning, the first of three such sessions today. He said he didn’t make his final decision to apply for the job until two or three weeks ago. He said if selected, he would remain at least five years. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

The Westport Board of Education has selected Michael McGovern to fill the unexpired term of Lewis Brey who resigned because he is moving out of town.

The board, at a meeting Tuesday night, also voted to appoint Jim Marpe to replace Brey as secretary of the board. Brey had 30 months remaining in his term.

All votes were unanimous except that Marpe abstained from voting for himself as secretary. Mark Mathias was absent.

Linda Merk-Gould and Marpe were the only Republicans left on the board after Brey’s resignation. By Town Charter, the selection of a replacement had to come from Republican ranks.

One month after a finalist candidate for Staples High School principal abruptly withdrew her candidacy for the position, the Westport school district has announced that another finalist has been selected.

An announcement from the office of Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon did not identify the candidate but said the person would be available Wednesday, July 6 for community interviews.

It said the candidate was selected after an extensive search and interviews with several potential principals by a selection committee made up of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the superintendent.

Students, staff, parents, members of the Westport community, and government officials will have the opportunity to meet the candidate in three sessions � 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the announcement said.

Staples graduates headed to Westport’s Longshore Club Park tonight for a post-graduation senior bash. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo