See text of letter here

The parents of 14-year-old Staples High School freshman Christopher Lanni have appealed in an open letter to Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon to investigate whether his recent sudden death was related to cyberbullying.

Elliott Landon (at Jan. 5 Board of Education meeting): “The spreading of misinformation is harmful to our community.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

They asked to bring the police into the investigation if necessary.

“We request a thorough, professional investigation of allegations that Christopher was being bullied at school and/or on social media platforms (i.e. Instagram) by his fellow Staples students,” wrote Cornelia L. Gallo and Peter Lanni.

The letter dated Jan. 6 was sent to Westport news media tonight. Christopher died Dec. 23 in Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to a family-supplied obituary. No cause was given for his death.

Staples High School guidance counselors today handed out cookies and milk as well as fruit and fortunes to students to ease the stress of midterm exams. “Cookies and milk—they’re good for you,” shouted one counselor through a megaphone. Counselors have embarked on a program to make school life less stressful.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

With warm wishes from an array of town and school officials, as well as parents, Weston Schools Superintendent Colleen Palmer tonight was officially appointed Westport’s new schools superintendent effective July 1.

Collen Palmer receives applause tonight following her appointment as new Westport superintendent. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Her move just one town over for the $285,000 salaried position followed a seven-month long, nationwide search to replace Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon, who is retiring after 17 years at the end of June.

“Tonight is a great night for the Westport schools,” Michael Gordon, school board chairman, said at the meeting’s outset prior to the unanimous vote for Palmer.

Gordon also gave a nod to Landon, saying, “the reason the bar is so high is because of the success of our students under your leadership.”

Westport’s Board of Education hunkered down for more than five hours today in the Westport Library’s McManus Room, poring over Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon’s proposed $113.4 million 2016-17 school operating budget, a 2.03 percent increase over the current year.

Members of the Board of Education and staff members at budget meeting today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Today’s emphasis was on school employee salaries, an area that Landon has proposed cuts in noncontractual positions, including the elimination of third grade paraprofessionals, middle school team leaders, elementary school bus monitors, and a staff assistant at the high school.

A number of parental concerns over the cuts came up at the workshop, which was open to the public, according to Michael Gordon, school board chairman, and Jeannie Smith, vice chairwoman.

“In an attempt to meet the Board of Finance’s request of a 1.5 percent increase, the superintendent came up with a lean budget, but it included many cuts that will directly impact students, so the board will have to look at that,”  Gordon said.

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon (r) joins Board of Education members Jeannie Smith and Michael Gordon today at the all-day budget session at the Westport Library. It is the last such session for Landon, who is retiriing in June after 17 years. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Members of the Westport Board of Education and school staff held an all-day budget session today at the Westport Library’s McManus Room. The session will be followed by informal and formal sessions with the Board of Finance leading to approval of the 2016-17 annual budgets in May. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Board of Education plans to vote at its Monday meeting to appoint Collen Palmer, superintendent of schools in Weston, as the new Westport superintendent, Chairman Michael Gordon said today.

Colleen Palmer: moving from Weston. Contributed photo

He said on Thursday, the board completed a site visit at the Weston Public Schools.

“Board members were joined at the site visit by Westport parents, teachers, administrators and elected officials from other town bodies.” he said.  “They met in both smaller and larger groups with Weston school representatives, staff, parents and elected officials.”

He added, “With the site visit successfully completed, the board is ready to make the appointment of Dr. Palmer official.”  The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in Staples High School Cafeteria B (room 301).

By James Lomuscio

Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon, who is retiring at the end of June, tonight presented his proposed 2016-17 school operating budget to the Board of Education—$113,428,663, a 2.03 percent increase over the current year.

Board of Education members Jeannie Smith and Michael Gordon with Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon at tonight’s meeting. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

It is Landon’s 17th and final proposed budget.

Though higher than the 1.5 percent increase the Board of Finance had suggested, Landon said “a lot of unknowns” regarding contractual settlements with teachers and staff were taken into account. He also said his recommended budget reflects cuts that do not affect educational quality.

Among the cuts is the elimination of the elementary school bus monitor program that has been in place for 23 years, as many of the monitors are retiring.