By James Lomuscio

The third time was not the charm for Westport’s Board of Education tonight in its bid for the Board of Finance to approve funds to hire two middle school resource officers (SROs) this fall.

But for the school board, the finance board denial by a vote of 5 to 2 was a means to an end.

The Board of Education plans to take the denial to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), so the legislative body by a supermajority can overturn it.

That’s just what the school board expected Aug. 28 when it voted 6 to 1 to ask to get the matter back on the finance board’s agenda.

Staples High School today announced that 14 members of the Class of 2019 have qualified as National Merit Scholarship Corporation semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship program. They are: (back row, l-r) Joshua Zhang, Benjamin Tobben, Preston Lust, Martin Menz, Zachary Katz, and Carter Teplica; (middle row) Anisa Prasad, Sirina Prasad, Andrew Moy, and Angela Ji; (front row)  Genevieve Domenico, Emma McKinney, Isabel Powell, and Orly Salik. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

By James Lomuscio

When the Westport Public Schools recouped $582,367 from its insurance carrier for recent mold remediation costing $704,000 at Coleytown Middle School (CMS), school officials cheered.

Off limits: Coleytown Middle School auditorium. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Public Schools photo

But, mold happens, especially at CMS.

And now that amount won’t even cover an estimated $600,000 for the remediation efforts due to mold growth at CMS over the summer, Elio Long, the schools’ chief financial officer (CFO), told the Board of Education tonight.

The mold flourished due to the summer’s heavy rains, high temperatures and a snafu in the name of energy conservation, shutting off circulating fans while school was out.

The Westport Police Department today announced the appointment of police veteran Ed Wooldridge as the Staples High School School Resource Officer (SRO). He joined the department in February 2017 after retiring from the Connecticut State Police after 23 years of service as a trooper. He began his career at Troop G In Bridgeport, was a K-9 handler for four years and was a detective in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations for 11 years. Appointment of two SROs at the middle schools is pending. Wooldridge is pictured with Staples High School Principal James D’Amico. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Police photo

Scenes from today’s first day of school for Westport public school students. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com and WestportNow.com photos

Bedford Middle School Principal Adam Rosen, in his seventh year at the BMS helm, welcomes students back to school today with a fist bump. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

It’s become a tradition—neighbors on Caccamo Lane serve up breakfast goodies today as they await the school bus to Saugatuck Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Debra Dunn, starting her second year as principal of Long Lots Elementary School, poses for a first day souvenir photo with a couple of students. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Staples senior girls strut their stuff in the school parking lot today as fellow students arrived for the first day of school. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Staples High School Principal James D’Amico (c, light brown suit) welcomes students back to school today on the first day of school after summer vacation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com