Students. The budget. Today’s world.
Those are some of the things that most worry Westport’s Board of Education.
The question “What keeps you up at night?” was one of many asked at yesterday’s “Community Conservations.”
All 7 BOE members, and Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice. joined the midday meeting that drew a large crowd to the Westport Library.
Christina Torres answered the question first. “Mental health,” she said firmly. “Grades, social media, homework — it all contributes.”
Kevin Christie’s key concern is that “every student feels a sense of belonging, so they can reach their full potential.” He knows every student may not always feel that way, despite the best efforts of the BOE, administrators and staff.
Robert Harrington called Westport’s $140 million budget “massive. And it puts the focus on us to be as efficient as we can, particularly outside the classroom.” He cited $7-$8 million in transportation costs as an example of an item that must constantly be scrutinized.
Dorie Hordon worries about “the way the world is right night. There is so much division and anger. Maneuvering through it, to mold kids into competent, thoughtful humans, is very tough.”
From left: Board of Education members Christina Torres, Kevin Christie, Robert Harrington, Dorie Hordon, Liz Heyer, Neil Phillips and Lee Goldstein; superintendent of schools Tom Scarice. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Liz Heyer — who leaves the Board of Ed on Monday, to join the Board of Finance — said that thinking about “how we innovate as a district” keeps her up, “in a positive way.” Among the innovations to consider: embracing artificial intelligence. Education will change “in ways we can’t yet imagine,” and the board must be prepared for those changes, she said.
Neil Phillips noted that “anxiety, and pressure on our kids to succeed, is pervasive. Every board decision has an impact on them. I think about every decision we make. I know all 7 members take every decision very seriously.”
Their comments — personal and specific — followed other thoughtful questions and answers. After several months filled with controversy, and a contentious election campaign, the community conversation was broad, deep and clear.
There was general consensus about the issues facing the school district, and a seeming desire to seek common ground to address them.
The board members agreed, for example, that social media is a major concern — and not the schools’ alone.
The district’s digital citizenship approach is “like throwing water on an inferno,” Scarice admitted. “Kids are exposed to a lack of civility in general.”
Hordon advocated for a class on the subject in high school, adding, “Of course, it should be reinforced at home.”
School security got high marks, with Scarice and BOE members noting that many details cannot be made public. Harrington lauded the close cooperation between the superintendent and Police Chief Foti Koskinas.
A downside of a high-performing district like Westport’s is that students feel pressured, at a young age, to specialize — choosing one sport or one activity like drama to concentrate on, one questioner said.
Scarice said, “It is a problem.” Calling himself a “type A person,” he said, “In pursuit of excellence, we may narrow our focus. It is something worthy of inquiry.”
The final question was about antisemitism.
It’s part of both the instructional curriculum and the district’s SEL (social and emotional learning). “We celebrate our differences, and also embrace our shared humanity,” Goldstein explained.
“We always address it in the schools. People need to speak up about it, and we need an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up.”
Scarice — who has reached out to local rabbis, and who praised the ADL for their practical, scenario-based training with staff — concluded, “We’ve added ‘B’ to DEI” (diversity, equity and inclusion).
“The ‘B’ stands for belonging. That feeling of acceptance is at the core of everything we do.”
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I thought it was a great meeting after a very contentious election. I think the questions were very thoughtful and honest. Our kids are exposed to a lot at such a young age. And unfortunately we are not able to go back to the time when I grew up and did not have to worry about war, bullying, and shootings in schools 24/7 but that is our reality now. Social media is not going away and neither is AI. It is about how to manage it and how to teach kids tools and strategies and it is about communicating daily with your child and if there are concerns making sure the school and home are in direct communication/dialogue with each other.
Lastly, I am excited about Scsrice sharing that they want to have a leadership academy and leadership council for kids. I think that is more important than ever. We need to listen to our kids and guide them through this life together.
Just imagine what those answers would have been from Riano and Fitzgerald…let us all thank what we deem holy for their resounding defeat.
riano words are like an out of tune piano.
Well, Richard, not really; because an out of tune piano is not destructive, dangerous or un-American…Riano is all three.
The board of education needs a more imaginative logo. Certainly a town as artistic as Westport could do better than a
“W.” May I start things off with a suggestion to use an illustration of the one room schoolhouse off Morningside Drive.
My uncle (Adolph Backiel) went to that school on North Morningside Drive.
How about one of Westport schools with a cupola, such as Kings Highway or the original Staples, or maybe an oblong seal with just the cupola. Or, to be more imaginative, have an illustration of a forlorn student with a quill pen (desks at Greens Farms still had inkwells when I was there in the mid-fifties)? Why not have a contest for Staples students to redesign the seal, with pictures of iconic Westport schools they could incorporate or ignore as they saw fit. Anything but a “W.”