By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut is expected to have the third fastest decline of students enrolled in high school in the nation over the next 10 years, the U.S. Department of Education reports.

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) U.S. Department of Education graphic

This anticipated 11.6 percent decline means an estimated 17,400 fewer students will be attending high school in 2024 than in 2012, and 5,400 fewer graduating each year. Only New Hampshire and Vermont are expected to have larger declines during the same period, with estimated drops of 14.1 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively.

Nationwide, the percentage of high school students is expected to increase by 2.7 percent, the report said.

Connecticut has seen steady decreases in the number of students of all grades attending public school in the state over the last decade. This report, however, shows the decline is largely among high school students. The number of students estimated through grade 8 is not expected to change much, or 0.3 percent by 2024.

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By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

www.ctmirror.org

As sharp criticism built today of its proposal to end state education aid to 28 of the state’s wealthiest towns, the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy released data to show that most of the towns affected have among the lowest mill rates in the state and rely relatively little on state aid.

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ctmirror.org graphic

[Westport, which stands to lose $1,982,936 in educational state aid under the Malloy proposal, had the 13th lowest mill among the 28 towns cited and was third lowest on the list of state aid share as part of its educational budget—tied with New Canaan at 1.85 percent with only Goshen and Warren lower at 0.99 percent and 0.45 percent respectively.]

Facing a sizable budget deficit, the governor on Tuesday proposed eliminating all of the $25 million that the state currently provides to the wealthiest communities through the Education Cost Sharing grant – a move decried by Republican legislators who largely represent those communities.

“We’re in a new economic reality. With fewer resources, it requires difficult choices,” said Devon Puglia, spokesman for the Democratic governor. “We need to provide support to schools and districts that need it most. Taking the same percentage of cuts in towns with wildly varying mill rates and tax bases just doesn’t make sense. We believe we should protect those schools that rely on us most.”

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UPDATE Westport State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg said today that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s plan to eliminate education cost sharing (ECS) grants to 28 of Connecticut’s wealthiest school districts—including an almost $2 million cut for Westport—is “dead on arrival” in the state legislature. 

Jonathan Steinberg: Malloiy’s proposal “a provocation.” Contributed photo

“We in the legislature, virtually all of us, view it as a provocation,” said Steinberg, who represents Westport. “We interpret it as the governor telling us he doesn’t need to respect the legislature, and he’s making it very difficult for us to engage in further negotiations as we attempt to reach closure on the budget in the next few weeks.”

Under Malloy’s plan, Westport would see its state educational aid reduced from $1,988,255 to zero.

Malloy’s proposal to cut ECS grants is the administration’s latest effort to close a $922 million deficit projected for the next fiscal year. While the proposal aims to cut the ECS grants to the wealthiest towns, it aims to protect the state’s 30 lowest performing school districts.

By James Lomuscio

For Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon it’s a matter—and a letter—of integrity. 

Elliott Landon: has attorney’s letter for tonight’s meeting. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

And at tonight’s Board of Education he will be tooled up with school counsel’s written opinion to the board that the February break does not violate the state’s Uniform School Calendar policy.

According to Landon, the opinion by Thomas B. Mooney and Jessica Richman Smith of the firm Shipman & Goodwin vindicates him from board members “questioning my integrity” at the March 28 when Landon said he had checked and cleared the February break with the school system’s legal counsel.

Landon, who is retiring in June, bemoaned the day after the meeting that some board members questioned his integrity “for the first time in 17 years”  when he told them had direct confirmation. (See WestportNow March 29, 2016)

Staples High School junior Emily Schussheim has been named a Governor’s Scholar, the Westport school district announced today.

Emily Schussheim: among 30 students chosen. Contributed photo

The Governor’s Scholars Awards recognize academically talented high school students in schools throughout the state. Emily was among 30 students chosen for the honor.

In addition to excelling in academics, she has found time to stay involved in her many passions, including being a cellist in school’s chamber orchestra as well as principal cellist for the Norwalk Youth Symphony.  She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

An accomplished writer, her work has been published in the school’s literary magazine, Soundings, as well as Canvas and Creative Kids. 

By James Lomuscio

UPDATE (adds board statement) Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon, who is retiring in June, today bemoaned that some school board members Monday night questioned his integrity “for the first time in 17 years.”

Elliott Landon: “They were questioning my truthfulness.” Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

At issue: Landon’s word based on legal counsel regarding the 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic calendars.

Landon told the board that he had direct confirmation from school counsel Thomas Mooney that his plan to have three, one-week vacations during those academic years did not violate the state’s Uniform School Calendar policy.

The state policy stipulates only two one-week vacations throughout the academic year, not three. Landon, conferring with Mooney, said that three weeks, specifically the February break, passes muster under the law since four flex days could be added to the Presidents Day holiday.

Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon presents Jaime Bairaktaris with his award. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

In appreciation of his commitment to service, Staples High School senior Jaime Bairaktaris has been awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Secretary of the State of Connecticut and the Connecticut Citizenship Fund.

The award, announced today by the school district, recognizes high school students who have gone above and beyond to make a difference to their community.

Staples was asked to nominate one student for this honor and Jaime was selected “because of his kindness, his hard work, and his consistent dedication to service in Westport,” the announcement said.

In addition to his studies, Jaime is a WestportNow contributing photographer and volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician for Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services where he serves on its board of directors.