Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said today despite increasingly difficult economic times, Westport remains a “huge beacon” for those interested in quality education for their children and predicted continued growth in the town’s school system.
Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said today Wesport’s school system will continue to grow while difficult economic times will negatively impact other districts in the region. He addressed the Westport Rotary Club. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Describing Westport as an “open-minded and progressive community,” Landon told the weekly meeting of the Westport Rotary Club that as a result it attracts many people moving from New York City looking for quality education for their children.
“I think people have very few places to pick from” and “Westport becomes a huge beacon for people,” he said.
“We are headed not only for stabilization but growth.”
Landon said Westport’s continued economic vitality was in contrast to his expectations for the region.
“I think we are headed for a difficult period,” he said, adding that “the changing economy is going to have a profound and more negative impact (on the region) than we’ll see here.”
Landon listed the many accomplishments of the school district, its staff and pupils and said administrators were continually looking for ways to operate in a more cost-effective manner while delivering superior programs.
He said he was especially proud of the interactive advances in technology and pointed to regular visits by students through interactive technology to the British Museum and the Louvre.
“We’re ahead of any district in interactive capabilities,” he said.
Landon announced that a William Graustein Memorial Fund grant will allow Westport to conduct “community conversations on 21st century skills” which will focus on how to prepare youngsters for life in the 21st century.
A steering committee, comprised of members of the Board of Education, prominent local and business and civic leaders, including Rotary, the clergy, human services, and seniors, is working this fall to prepare the agenda, he said.
The first of these conversations with the public is scheduled to take place in January, Landon said.
—Dave Matlow contributed reporting for this story.
We should be proud of our schools. I am.
The predicted growth in our schools, comes with a growth in everything else. Our taxes, housing, traffic and more. The demand for housing will mean more sub divisions, more multi-family housing and greater density.
The single family and rural character of our town hangs in the balance. Residents came out and told our P&Z;during the town plan meetings this was a concern. It is!!!!
It’s wonderful people want their children educated here. I do. But I also would like to see our town remain the endearing community that brought many people here in the first place.