With Enrollment Lower Than Planned BOE Inches Toward Issue of Redistricting

By Jarret Liotta

There were 117 fewer students who started school last week than expected, but Superintendent of Schools David Abbey told the Board of Education (BOE) tonight it was not something to worry about.

David Abbey assessing opening day: “Aug. 27 turned out to be a terrific day.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

“It’s really negligible,” he said, noting that while the district had planned for 112 “sections” for 5,369 students, it was operating 110 sections for 5,252 as of Tuesday.

These lower numbers remain topical, however, because the BOE also held discussions about the adoption of a middle school rebalancing plan aimed to address declining enrollment.

Anthony Buono, assistant superintendent for teaching & learning, presented the BOE with the draft of a timeline for it to adopt a rebalancing plan by December.

The timeline includes yet another presentation from the district demographer at its Sept. 16 meeting, as well as a Facilities Assessment Report on Oct. 7 from another consultant.

At the heart of the plan is a desire to make both Coleytown and Bedford Middle Schools have balanced student numbers to enable two four-teacher teams at each.

Asking that it remain a standing agenda item through the fall, Buono said that adoption of a plan — which potentially could include redistricting some elementary students and relocating the Stepping Stones preschool currently at Coleytown Elementary School — did not necessarily mean it had to be put into action immediately.

“It may be next year or over the course of several years,” he said.

“It just means the board will be making a decision to implement a plan and then we’ll (see) what timeline makes sense,” he said.

With the board due to change out some members by November, BOE member Candace Savin said she would prefer to see the adoption of a plan taking place before the current team changes.

“I’m concerned about that and I would like to see it a little faster if possible,” she said.

Yet some members of the public are adamant that the change should be postponed, at least until students currently at Bedford Middle School return to Coleytown next year, or that students should be “grandfathered” in so that they don’t have to change schools.

“It appears the board is trying to speed up the process,” said parent Courtney Feldman.

“I really don’t appreciate the board trying to rush this through without welcoming more public feedback,” she said.

Savin noted, however, that the discussions had been underway for some time. Other BOE members sought repetitively to reassure the public that parental input was welcome and that many opportunities were being afforded.

“I think we are encouraging public comment all the time,” said Chairman Mark Mathias.

Savin restated that school officials, including Buono, maintain that the four-teacher team model currently in use is the best option for middle school instruction in Westport.

“We have asked that question and we keep getting the same answer,” she said, with that the priority behind a rebalancing plan.

“There is an educational detriment to doing nothing,” Savin said.

Vice Chair Jeannie Smith agreed it might be better to move sooner, suggesting more Monday night BOE meetings could be scheduled in order to create time for discussion and public input.

“Why not seek to do more within a short amount of time?” she said.

Abbey, meanwhile, reported that the opening of school on Aug. 27 had been successful.

“Aug. 27 turned out to be a terrific day,”

“I’m very pleased after being very nervous for a good part of the summer,” he said.