Schools Supt. Recommends Educators Not Seek Further Restoration

Westport Schools Supt. Elliott Landon is recommending that the Board of Education not seek to restore $450,000 cut from its proposed $75.1 million budget.

In a memo prepared for Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Landon said the $800,000 restored to the BOE budget by the Board of Finance at its March 31 meeting had mitigated the board’s earlier $1.25 million reduction.

The superintendent recalled that at the BOE’s March 22 meeting he had presented a list of items to be cut in case restoration was not forthcoming.

“That list represented the best collaborative thinking of the whole administration,” he said.

“With great deliberation we had sought areas of reduction that would have the least impact on students and program.”

“Nevertheless, in light of the uncertain economic climate and given the fact that the cut had been mitigated, I do not recommend that the Board of Education seek further restoration,” Landon said.

“To support this position, I have culled from the original list those items that, at least for one more year, we will be able to postpone with the least damaging effect on students and programs.”

Landon’s suggested budget reductions included elimination of an assistant superintendent’s position, $125,000; elimination of three elementary reserve teacher positions, $165,000; elimination of a paraprofessional position, $23,500; reduced benefits, $50,000; truck leasing costs, $38,000; supplies (all schools), $7,500; instructional and non-instructional equipment, $7,500, and furniture, $23,500.

The Board of Ed can make a request for the $450,000 restoration at the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) annual budget meeting next month.

The educators will decide at Monday’s meeting whether to endorse the superintendent’s recommendation.