Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice sent this note today to Westport families and faculty:
As you have likely heard already (good news travels fast!), last night the RTM voted to approve construction of a brand-new, state-of-the-art Long Lots Elementary School and Stepping Stones Preschool!
This decision marks a transformative moment for our students, our educators, and the entire Westport community.
As I mentioned last night, this vote is far more than an approval of bricks and mortar, it is a testament to our values, reflecting our town’s unwavering commitment to our children, to public education, and to a future which will continue to be built on decades of excellence in our schools.
We have long known that the Long Lots facility has reached the end of its useful life, and that the miraculous work in Stepping Stones Preschool has been performed in subpar settings.
The current Long Lots Elementary School …
I would be remiss in not acknowledging the people who have performed at the highest levels, in inferior conditions, namely, the maintenance team who have kept these schools spotless in spite of worsening conditions, the faculty and support staff who have delivered year in and year out, and the administrative team who have led through disruption, facility failures, and emotional distress.
Finally, on behalf of the entire district, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the parents of Long Lots and Stepping Stones. You spoke up, showed up, and never gave up, even knowing your own children might not benefit directly. You stood up not just for your own families, but for future generations of Westport students. Your selfless advocacy is a powerful reminder of what it means to believe in something bigger than ourselves.
This moment did not happen by chance. It was made possible by years of advocacy from our Board of Education, support from our Board of Finance and First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, and thoughtful planning (and hours and hours of work) from our Long Lots School Building Committee and town staff.
Finally, I want to thank the RTM for the rigor of their approval process, and for the unanimous vote last night, sending a strong message of values to the entire community.
… and the new one.
We now turn toward an exciting chapter, the design and construction of a future-facing school that will serve generations to come. One that will be safe, sustainable, inclusive and inspiring, a space that supports every student and reflects the values of the community around it.
This is a proud day for Westport. And it’s just the beginning.
We’ll be sharing more about next steps and opportunities to stay engaged in the coming weeks and months.
For now, let’s take a moment to celebrate—this celebratory moment belongs to the entire community.
On behalf of those in the Westport diaspora, kudos to everyone who finally pulled together to make this happen. I’m so proud of this, just as much as current residents, because my former homebase of Saugatuck is still a major part of my magical treasured memories of Westport and its people. Thanks to Dan for keeping us informed with journalistic integrity, as one can’t really know what one is missing until you emigrate to other towns in CT.
Lets keep on those values and finally address the problematic facilities at our only high school, which is #1 in the state. We have no bathrooms available for most events other than the gross portos, no proper locker rooms facilities, bent and unsafe student bleachers, a mess of a press box, and no refreshments for events. This is Westport. Lets be better.
I agree. Let’s make long lots the benchmark.
If we can spend 13 million on an hvac system that should cost 4, and 9 m on electrical that should cost 3m.. who knows what’s going on with roof, siding and windows..
I think we should rebuild staples too.. then coleytown and saugatuck.. kings highway.
Let’s make 200 extra spaces in them all for the affordable housing that’s certainly coming.
7 m for the shed at Longshore. A bargain. After all the gas powered equipment we just overpaid for needs to be protected.
Throw in 15 million for the parking shenanigans downtown..
oh and let’s pretend we are going to build affordable housing at barons south, in buildings that are maybe 100 x worse than long lots( and was decided that was too costly)
So the barons redo is a ruse.. just so they can say after.. uh oh.. we need to knock it all.. but don’t worry we will build 5x more.. and the contractor will profit 10x more. – on town owned land.
🧐
And PZ and BOF, as well as the RTM, will celebrate our collective stupidity.
I do hope staples is next. It certainly deserves to be.
But I think it should be knocked down and rebuilt in long lots fashion.
In fact I think every school in Westport should be rebuilt.
Not sure what we are waiting for.
Let’s knock them all down.
And maybe someone will find a place to move the community gardens to.
But if not..
well they are just living in our world- and they should all be damn grateful to be allowed do that. And to pay taxes for it.
Ciara, Greens Farms School was built in 1927. No one is saying let’s tear it down and rebuild it for 140 million! It would cost that much. Long Lots will cost 115 million. And the student population will shrink over the next decade. Burr Farms was built in 1957 and torn down 26 years later because the student population tanked. This is a total waste of money! The building is so dilapidated that it’s the 5th best school in the state.
What leads you to continually post these pre-Covid cost estimates? If you’re a builder and can build a new geothermal hvac system at $31/sq ft, you should absolutely be invited to bid. Or are you just using Google to find an answer online that suits your narrative?
Mr. Superintendent: Funny, you never responded with an update on the completion of the brand spanking new Coach’s Handbook yet. I know you’re a busy man but I’m sure everyone would appreciate knowing you’re a man of your word and our coaches now know beyond a shadow of a doubt what constitutes a “reportable” incident. So when is the big reveal sir?
No response? Just like Tooker! Get 10% of voters to sign a petition! 118 million will be the cost!
The coach incident has basically been forgotten. It’s summer. Everyone’s on vacation.
In September it will be like nothing happened to those poor coaches.
There will be no handbook and zero apology for the disgusting treatment of them !
Welcome to the new democracy.
He could have at least thanked the taxpayers who are footing the bill. This 100 plus million building will look great on his resume…
As a community member and Long Lots Parent for over ten years, I am thrilled our boards and commissions unanimously approved a new school at Long Lots under such a difficult timeline. Thank you to our BOE, BOF, P&Z, and RTM for providing our kids (especially our most vulnerable learners) with a new school that will support academic excellence.