BoE Meeting: $126.9 Million Budget Passed - Languages Saved, 5 Positions Cut; Full Time High School in March; KHS Principal Leaving
Health Update & High School Full-Time Learning
The Health and Safety Update announced that COVID-19 cases were still on the decline, with about 17 cases reported in the past week and only 58 staff and/or students quarantined. Sue Levasseur described a state-wide trend that is positive to families and the district. Levasseur also said that talks about upcoming graduations are beginning as the end of the school year comes into view.
Superintendent Thomas Scarice said that Staples High Schoolers could expect some form of full-time learning to begin in the beginning of March, with a “Cohort Model” of about 75% of high school students.
Another Elementary School Principal Leaves; Dr. DiBella of Kings Highway Elementary School leaving by end of year.
Dr. Mary Lou DiBella, of Kings Highway Elementary School, announced her leaving of the position at the school year’s end this upcoming June. This marks the second principal to leave the district this year, with Long Lots Elementary School principal Dr. Debra Dunn announcing her resignation just over one week ago.
Parents, Board of Education members, and Administrators thanked Dr. DiBella for the work that she did for the KHS community - it being described as leaving the school “better than when she arrived” according to BoE member and KHS parent Jeannie Smith.
2021-2022 Budget Passes BoE
After voting on each proposed reduction line-by-line, Board of Education members were able to pass the 2021-2022 Westport Public Schools Budget, which will now be sent to the Westport Board of Finance, and Westport Representative Town Meeting.
Board Members in Attendance: Candice Savin (Chair), Karen Kleine (Vice Chair), Elaine Whitney (Secretary), Jeannie Smith, Youn Su Chao, Lee Goldstein, Liz Heyer
Snapshot
Approved Budget: $126,942,298
4.11% ($5,005,810) Increase from 2020-2021Initial Budget Proposal: $128,013,115
4.98% ($6,076,627) Increase from 2020-2021Reductions & Savings: $1,070,817
Staff Positions Removed:
Two High School Teachers
Two High School Paraeducators
One Elementary School Assistant Principal
Staff Positions Saved:
0.5 Special Education Teacher
0.2 Speech & Hearing Teacher
Five Elementary School Paraeducators (one per school)
Four High School Grade Level Assistants
Four Elementary School World Language Teachers
Full Budget Items with Outcome, Member Votes
Item/Position Passed (accept reduction) or Failed (remain as-is)
Yes Votes (Y: Name)
No Votes (N: Name)
Unverified (Name)
0.5 Special Education Teacher FAILED
0.2 Speech & Hearing Teacher FAILED
Defer Creation of 1.0 Communication Specialist PASSED
2.0 High School Teachers PASSED
Y: Goldstein, Chao, Heyer, Whitney
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
Implement Pay-to-Play Intramural Sports FAILED
5.0 Elementary School Paraeducators FAILED
Y: Goldstein, Chao, Heyer
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine, Whitney
2.0 High School Paraeducators PASSED
Y: Goldstein, Chao, Heyer, Whitney
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
4.0 High School Grade Level Assistants FAILED
Y: Goldstein, Chao, Heyer
N: Savin, Smith, Whitney, Kleine
1.0 Elementary School, General Education Assistant Principal PASSED
Y: Chao, Heyer, Smith, Goldstein
N: Savin, Kleine, Whitney
4.0 Elementary School World Language Teachers (Cut K-2 World Languages) FAILED
Restore Daily pay rate for permanent substitutes to $100/day from $130/day FAILED
Y: Whitney, Chao
N: Savin, Goldstein, Smith
Heyer, Kleine
No New Instructional Equipment Purchases PASSED
Y: Whitney, Chao, Goldstein, Heyer
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
No New Non-Instructional Equipment Purchases PASSED
Y: Whitney, Chao, Goldstein, Heyer
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
No New Furniture Purchases PASSED
Y: Chao, Savin, Heyer, Kleine, Whitney
N: Smith
Goldstein
Defer/reevaluate purchase of 38 SmartBoards:
Whitney: reduce by 200,000, leave $73,600 for pilot program PASSED
Y: Chao, Whitney, Goldstein, Heyer
N: Savin, Kleine
Smith
No New Athletics Equipment Purchases PASSED
Y: Chao, Heyer, Goldstein, Whitney
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
Implement Pay-to-Play Athletics Program to $150/student/activity FAILED
Carryover Fund Draw FAILED
This record is not verified by the Westport Board of Education, and should not take the place of the official meeting minutes to be released at a later date. Please contact the editor for corrections on information transcribed.