School Start Time Committee presents unanimous agreement for 8:00 a.m. Staples start time

Natalie Bandura '22, Paper News Editor

January 14, 2020

The Westport School Start Time Committee presented the unanimous agreement on Jan. 13 to move start times for Staples High School to 8:00 a.m., start times for the middle schools and Saugatuck Elementary to 8:30 a.m. and start times for the remaining four elementary schools to 9:00 a.m. to the Board of Ed...

Error in 2020 calendar planning raises questions

Eliza Barr ’21 and Tallula Stvan ’21

January 5, 2020

2019 municipal election reminds us of the importance of local politics

Kaela Dockray '20, Paper Managing Editor

October 24, 2019

There is no doubt that next year’s presidential election will be monumental. For many, November of 2020 will serve either as a testament to the resilience of our democracy or an indication of the failures of our electoral system. Anyone remotely interested in the future of our nation will take the mea...

Board of Education examines redistricting for elementary, middle schools

Katie Simons ’22, Arts Editor

October 8, 2019

The Westport Board of Education (BOE) discussed plans to redistrict the elementary and middle schools at a meeting on Sept. 23. Although redistricting would balance out the recent decrease in enrollment in the Westport Public Schools system, no decisions have been finalized. The BOE discussed...

Palmer continues to receive transportation benefits, salary while on medical leave

Audrey Bernstein ’20 and Allie D'Angelo ’20

May 2, 2019

Superintendent Dr. Colleen Palmer will continue to receive her annual base salary and insurance benefits while on leave for medical reasons until her retirement on Aug. 1. Palmer will additionally be receiving a transportation allowance through her leave time, according to the Separation Agreement between Palmer...

Board of Education appoints Anthony Buono Acting Superintendent of Schools

Audrey Bernstein ’20 and Allie D’Angelo ’20

April 8, 2019

The Board of Education (BOE) voted unanimously (7-0) to appoint former Assistant Superintendent Anthony Buono as the Acting Superintendent of the Westport Public School District on April 8. Buono will begin on April 9.   “I’m honored to accept the position until [the BOE] is able to find a suita...

Board of Education discusses Coleytown Middle School proposals, improvements

Jack Dennison '21

April 3, 2019

The Board of Education (BoE) met to discuss improvements for Coleytown Middle School and propose possible redistricting for the Westport school system on Monday, April 1. The Board of Education’s (BoE) goal is to achieve a balance of enrollment.  According to BoE secretary Elaine Whitney equality of enrollme...

Palmer announces retirement

Sophie Driscoll '19

March 15, 2019

Superintendent Dr. Colleen Palmer announced on March 14 that she will retire on Aug. 1.   “The district is in a time right now where it can be handed over to another superintendent, and I will work tirelessly to make sure that happens smoothly,” Palmer said.   In a press re...

State of the Town Address clarifies Coleytown plans, future of Staples

Natalie Bandura ’22

March 1, 2019

First Selectman Jim Marpe spoke at the State of the Town meeting on Feb. 10 at the Town Hall to discuss fiscal challenges, multi-family housing developments and Coleytown Middle School (CMS), among other topics. Westport’s State of The Town meeting presented residents with an update on the town’s progress over the past year and gave them ...

Board of Ed votes 5 to 2 to approve SRO

March 28, 2018

By Kaya Leitner '19 In light of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida and the Feb. 27 Shelter in Place at Staples High School due to a student’s violent threat, the Westport Board of Education voted 5-2 on March 26 to approve the hiring of an armed School Resource Officer (SRO). According to WestportNow, the ...

Board of Education candidates debate at town hall

October 27, 2017

By Anna Rhoads '19

[April 2017] Protection effectiveness against bullying in question after federal investigation

April 26, 2017

By: Max Appell '18 and Zach Horowitz '19 The Westport Board of Education went under federal investigation on Nov. 9 due to claims that schoProl officials from one of Westport’s middle schools grabbed and shook a student who had filed a complaint about being bullied.The specifics of the bullying...

Board of Education discusses further budget restoration

April 25, 2017

By Becky Hoving '17 Members of the Board of Education (BoE) met Monday, April 24 to respond to the restoration of $310,000 to the Westport Public Schools budget. The restoration is a response to the initial $2.4 million dollar cut to the annual budget that Superintendent Dr. Colleen Palmer warned...