By James Lomuscio

Westport’s Board of Finance voted unanimously tonight to trim the Board of Education’s 2019-20 proposed budget by $250,000, an amount finance board members called reasonable in the wake of the school system’s tumultuous year and the need to keep the mill rate flat.

BOE Chair Mark Mathias had asked for $118,500,464, an increase of 2 percent over the current year.

He had previously said that the driving forces behind the lower percentage compared to previous years were: the impact of operating the district with a new sixth through eighth model while Coleytown Middle School (CMS) is not occupied, plus a reduction in staff saving $846,847.

But finance board members felt that number still needed trimming, despite the challenges the school system has faced with the shutdown of CMS due to serious mold problems and the need to reconfigure grades.

Contestants from Westport’s Staples High School today participated in the Westport and Sunrise Rotary Clubs’ annual four-way speech competition. They are (l-r) Melanie Lust, 17, senior; Andreas Lolis, 15, sophomore; Lina Singh, 15, sophomore; Elana Atlas, 15, sophomore; Chet Ellis, 17, senior; and Ben Gross, 16, junior.  Olivia Utter, 17, a senior, was absent from the photo. Atlas was first place winner ($300 award), Lolis second place ($200), and Lust third place ($100.) Atlas advances to the regional competition level to be held in Trumbull on April 27. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Kathleen Megan

Ever since Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney’s controversial school regionalization bill referenced realigning districts “in a manner similar to the probate districts,” the brightly colored map delineating those court districts has been shared widely on social media by alarmed parents and educators.

“It divides Easton and Redding, which is already a Regionalized school system!” wrote one concerned parent in a Facebook post.

And, indeed the probate court map would plunder the current school districting pattern, tearing apart regional districts, creating giant districts in rural parts of the state and pairing, in some cases, bucolic small towns with cities.

But what are the chances Connecticut’s school districts will be reshaped to match the probate court map?

Westport Staples High School Principal James D’Amico has submitted his resignation effective at the end of June and a search is underway for a successor, Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer said today.

James D’Amico: took over July 1, 2016. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

In an email to parents, Palmer said D’Amico has accepted the position of principal of his hometown high school, New Fairfield High School, commencing July 1.

“This transition date will allow Mr. D’Amico to remain in his current position until the end of June, providing an orderly and effective end to our school year,” she said.

“We extend our best wishes to Mr. D’Amico as he moves on to his new role this summer, and thank him for his years of dedicated service to our District.”

Westport Board of Education Chairman Mark Mathias tonight proposed a $118.5 million budget for 2019-2020, a 2 percent increase over the current year,

He addressed the Board of Finance.

Less than 24 hours after being appointed by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), the Coleytown Middle School (CMS) Building Committee got down to work today with the goal of reopening the school in time for the fall 2020 start of classes. Chair Don O’Day, former chair of the Board of Education, led the group in discussing first steps in hiring a project manager and a construction manager in addition to reviewing examination of the now shuttered school. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight approved $400,000 for initial work to reopen the now shuttered Coleytown Middle School (CMS) for the fall of 2020. Public Works Director Peter A. Ratkiewich (at podium) said the funds would be used to “kick start the project and get going” on work that eventually will cost millions of dollars. The appropriation would cover hiring of a design consultant, a dedicated project manager, and a construction manager, he said. The RTM also approved appointment of a building committee headed by Don O’Day, former chair of the Board of Education. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com