This week, “06880” introduced a new feature: “Where We Stand.”
Once a week between now and Election Day, we’ll ask candidates for 3 important boards — Selectmen/women, Planning & Zoning, and Education — one specific question.
We’ll print their responses verbatim.
An informed electorate is the greatest bulwark of democracy. Westporters have always participated avidly in our town government.
“06880” is proud to do our part this fall to help.
This week’s question for the Board of Education candidates is: “What is the single most important issue facing Westport Public Schools right now, and how will you address it?”
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Republican Party-endorsed candidates Dorie Hordon (incumbent), Michelle Hopson, Andy Frankel and Kaitlin Zucaro say:
The biggest issue facing Westport Public Schools right now isn’t test scores, facilities, the budget, or even athletic coaches — it’s leadership.
Without strong, effective leadership and direction, everything else meanders and slips. And right now, our Board of Education badly needs members who offer direction, vision, initiative and insight, and have a willingness and capacity to speak up and contribute.
That’s why we’re running. It’s time for fresh leadership that puts the preparation of students first, and restores focus on a clear mission for student success. We bring the wide-ranging experience needed for effective governance of our school system. Among the 4 of us, we have worked as highly accomplished educators, finance and marketing executives, technologists, and big-firm lawyers.
From left: Michelle Hopson, Dorie Hordon, Kaitlin Zucaro, Andy Frankel.
We also know our schools at every level — elementary, middle and high school. Collectively, we have 8 kids currently enrolled in Westport public schools (plus 4 graduates). Not one of the current Board members (other than vice chair Dorie Hordon from our slate) has any kids in our schools.
We bring a voice for parents of current students. That personal connection also makes us deeply invested in student success.
Our mission is simple: return the focus of the board and administration to the success of Westport students through effective leadership, accountability, and emphasis on the right priorities.
Those priorities include:
Academic excellence. We’ll work to make Westport schools among the best in the nation by staying focused on fundamentals, fostering critical thinking, and preparing kids for a changing world, especially with the advent of AI. Despite relatively high state rankings and standardized test scores, we are falling behind peer school districts in key areas. We have also heard from multiple families with serious concerns with the administration of special education. We can clearly do better, and should strive to ensure that all of our students are ready to succeed.
Importantly, a focus on academic excellence does not mean sacrificing athletics, the arts and other valuable extracurricular activities. Our athletic programs are among the best in the state, yet the board has provided little guidance and leadership even for easily solvable problems, illustrated by the fact that Staples has no girls locker room for girls sports teams, and most fields lack lights for nighttime practices and games.
Smart and transparent budgeting. Westport schools cost taxpayers more than $150 million a year — over 60% of the entire town budget. That’s a huge investment, and families deserve transparency and efficiency. We’ll make sure resources go where they matter most.
Real oversight. Rubber-stamp boards don’t serve families. We’ll ask hard questions, hold the administration accountable, and look for creative solutions. The oversight of a board shouldn’t be about threatening administrators when you don’t get your way on any particular issue; it’s about making sure every decision stands up to scrutiny and serves students well.
Safe, modern schools. Kids need secure, well-maintained, and tech-ready facilities to learn at their best. We’ll ensure Westport schools keep pace with the demands of today’s classrooms and tomorrow’s challenges.
Westport schools are a crown jewel of our town. But that reputation can’t be taken for granted. It takes leadership to maintain a premier district and push it forward. That’s why we are running. We bring different backgrounds — education, law, technology, business — but we are first and foremost parents who share a common vision of strong schools supported by a strong community.
We offer independence, unity, a constructive approach, and a commitment to student success with one guiding principle: Every decision must serve the best interests of Westport’s students.
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Democratic Party-endorsed candidate Abby Tolan (incumbent) says:
Living through Coleytown’s shutdown, the combined middle schools, and COVID, as well as serving on the board, I’ve learned not to predict challenges or believe we will have the luxury to face one at a time. Even putting aside consideration of the inevitable surprises, we know our schools, like all others, must navigate a shifting landscape:
The integration of AI into schools is both an educational and moral endeavor. Our responsibility is to equip students to use technology thoughtfully and responsibly, without letting it replace the deep processes through which they learn. We must also incorporate strong soft skills into our program, which both research and day-to-day living confirm are both vital to success and increasingly lacking in graduates.
Our strategic plan addresses this dual challenge by creating a forward-facing, flexible program that balances technological fluency with human-centered growth. We must recognize technology’s potential while affirming the importance of human judgment, creativity, and compassion, producing graduates who are each prepared to contribute meaningfully to the future.
Abby Tolan
Our ever-increasing annual operating budget is a constant concern.. This community is unflagging in its support of our public schools, which benefits us all and for which we are grateful. But the education budget is a major portion of our municipal expenditures and we must find ways to control costs to sustainably balance fiscal responsibility and student achievement.
Our capital needs present opportunity, but require significant investment. We are building 2 new schools with Long Lots and Stepping Stones, and are preparing to undertake significant renovation of Coleytown Elementary. As a board, we work closely with our funding bodies to ensure that the most basic facilities needs – namely that schools are temperate and dry – are addressed. There are many other capital demands, and we must collaborate on a long-term capital improvement plan that serves both school and town-wide priorities.
I could go on, but my point is this: it is not a singular challenge we confront but rather a question of how the district, with the board acting as the governance team, responds.
What makes me hopeful is that I know how to do this work. As a professional in special education, I’ve spent my career weighing individual needs against broader program goals, listening carefully, and then making decisions that are both personalized and intentional. That perspective has been invaluable on the board, where every decision has ripple effects across classrooms, families, and the town as a whole. At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the needs and dreams of every child, lest we lose the tree for the forest.
The role of a board member is to discern what matters most for students and ensure the district has the structure, resources and direction to deliver. Sometimes that means stepping back and hearing every side of an issue. Sometimes it means making a hard call when there is no perfect answer. Always, it requires keeping students at the center of the conversation.
People will always disagree — that’s fair and expected — but even amid differing views, this board has achieved significant successes against current headwinds: increased student performance, new schools, security audit and plan, reduction in student out-placements, increased student voice, and again, I could go on.
The challenges will keep coming, and while we cannot choose which ones arrive, we can choose how we meet them: with expertise, open ears, courage, and a steady focus on preparing every student to thrive. I am committed to continuing the work to move our schools forward with innovation and humanity.
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Two other Democrats will be on the ballot as petitioning candidates, having secured over 400 signatures. Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford say:
Dan, thanks for this opportunity. Before going into what needs immediate attention, we want to call out what’s working: the dedicated teachers and staff of the Westport Public Schools and our generous force of parent volunteers. They all work together to support each other and, most importantly, the next generation of Westporters.
Simply put, the most important issue facing our schools is one of leadership. The Board of Education and the administration must use their roles and resources to address the concerns of every stakeholder. And they must do that efficiently, effectively, and transparently.
Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris
For some reason it is taking years to fix small problems, which become big problems, which in turn become seemingly intractable — and expensive — problems. In recent years, too many teachers and staff members have been held to a higher standard than the administrators they report to.
The administration’s role is to eliminate obstacles so our teachers and staff can succeed. The role of the BOE is twofold: to manage the superintendent, and to serve as the elected voices for our schools.
Yet in one meeting after another, the BOE is doing less and less to engage our superintendent in meaningful debate about what needs to improve and what he is getting right. If we don’t make smart decisions, we risk failing to attract the most talented educators and staff to our schools. Here are just a few recent examples:
Many elementary school teachers have desperately called for more paraprofessional support, yet last year’s budget proposal instead added additional assistant principals, expanding an already top-heavy organization without providing classroom support.
Additionally, a lack of substitute teachers means our educators are losing their prep periods to cover classes, a problem particularly noted at the middle-school level. The systemic issues extend beyond the classroom: A single overworked plumber services all 8schools, leading to long wait times for critical repairs. There are many more stories we don’t have room for here.
The School Climate Survey presented in September 2024 showed a troubling drop in student engagement. Where are the 2025 scores? Why haven’t they been presented? Parents and students deserve transparent reporting of the latest scores and a clear plan to address any issues. The north star for both the administration and the BOE is continuous improvement and a positive outcome for our students.
As board members, we’d take a different approach from that of many of the current members. The BOE must be proactive, not reactive, and be honest with our community. First, we’d directly engage with our teachers and staff. Do they feel adequately supported and respected? Why do they think hiring pools are shrinking so dramatically, and what changes do they think are critical for success in the classroom?
Next, we’d engage more purposefully with our students. For years the BOE has promised to survey Staples students for inside knowledge on their coursework, and to capture the pulse of student life — but it hasn’t happened. This needs to change immediately. Giving our students a voice and a forum for feedback is the least we can do. Good ideas can come from anywhere, and sometimes it’s as though our kids are actually the adults in the room.
It’s time for the BOE to stop making excuses, and start engaging and executing on solutions. We want to help move our schools from good to great — with transparency, accountability and accessibility at the forefront.
We need a board that is inclusive, not exclusive. We want to meet the needs of our students with the teachers, staffers, facilities and curriculum they deserve. And that starts with board members who understand and embrace the critical role they play.
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Robert Harrington (incumbent) was not endorsed for re-election by the Republican Town Committee. He is running as a write-in independent candidate. He says:
The single most important issue facing the Westport Public Schools today is accountability. Westport has long been recognized for academic excellence, a dedicated teaching staff, and strong community support. But excellence cannot be sustained without transparency, responsibility, and a willingness to ask hard questions. A district that fails to hold itself accountable risks losing the trust of students, families, and taxpayers — the very trust that underpins public education.
Parents and taxpayers deserve to know not only what decisions are being made, but also why those decisions are in the best interest of students. When boards or administrators simply “go along,” rubber-stamping pay raises, building projects, or investigations without scrutiny, the message is that convenience matters more than honesty. That is not acceptable in Westport.
Robert Harrington
Over the past 4 years, I have worked to turn these principles into action. I have voted against measures I believed did not serve students and families, and I have pushed for transparency when the easy thing to do would have been silence.
For example, I questioned and voted against the superintendent’s pay raise that was higher than nurses and custodians, pressed for more thorough investigations by the administration, and demanded transparency when others would have preferred closed-door decisions. The failure to provide a thorough investigation related to the soccer coaches was utterly unacceptable. We must do better.
I pushed early on both redistricting and reducing transportation costs, long before these issues gained traction. And while I am excited about the new Long Lots Elementary School, I have also insisted on planning for a new Coleytown and modernization of Kings Highway to ensure that all our schools are equipped for 21st-century learning.
These are not always comfortable conversations. But the role of a Board of Education is not to protect the administration; it is to advocate for students and families. That means asking hard questions, challenging assumptions, and being willing to admit when the district can and should do better.
To be clear, Westport has much to celebrate. Our teachers are talented, our students achieve at high levels, and our community provides remarkable support for education. But real strength comes from reflection, not complacency. A district that only congratulates itself is a district that risks standing still. A district that welcomes scrutiny, by contrast, is one that grows stronger over time.
Looking ahead, Westport faces major building projects, budget pressures, and transportation challenges. Each requires tough decisions, balancing ambition with fiscal responsibility. At every step, the community deserves clarity: What will projects cost, what will programs deliver, and how will changes affect families? Without transparency, these decisions risk being made in ways that erode trust. With it, they can become opportunities to strengthen that trust.
If I am given the chance to serve another term, I will continue to ask the questions that need to be asked — not to obstruct, but to ensure that decisions are made openly and responsibly. I will work to make sure investigations are thorough, budgets are clear, and major initiatives are explained honestly to the public.
Westport should expect nothing less than a Board of Education that is independent, transparent, and willing to hold itself to the highest standards. That has been my commitment over the past four years, and it will remain my commitment moving forward.
I would be honored if Westport voters would consider writing in Robert Harrington — whether by mail or on Election Day — to continue the work of putting accountability at the center of our schools.
The Superintendent’s pay raise was a huge mistake. You could have offered him a zero percent pay raise and he would have gladly stayed!
Hi Jack,
I wish they’d had “no child left behind” when you and I “attended” Staples. You might have finished high school in 12 years instead of 15. And I would have met Catherine Deneuve in 1969 instead of 1972 because I would have been in France as an American Field Service exchange student. Unfortunately I wasn’t selected because I had too many parking tickets from when you and I would cut class and I’d drive you to Port Chester (because you couldn’t pass a breathalyzer test)
An above-inflation raise for the Superintendent is yet another failure of judgment and accountability from this board. I wonder what kind of raises our principals, teachers, and custodians received? We all know the answer: less. A little transparency would go a long way. This board proves once again that common sense isn’t so common.
Patrick – 100% spot on. The school nurses and custodians got less. The majority of the current board not only voted for this but they defended it – and said it, “was a small amount of money. Dorie and I were united on this issue.
I know that Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris would 100% have voted against this too.
The Democrats for the 1st time in living memory are not supporting a full slate for the Board of Education election. It truly is the strangest thing.
The Republicans NEVER tolerate anyone supporting anyone others than a fellow Republican. The party sadly owns the candidates.
I have the ability to support the best candidates – irrespective of party color.
I am an independent who asks tough questions and holds the Superintendent to account.
I support two strong Democrats – Jodie and Stephen, and a solid Republican – Dorie Hordon.
It is mind-boggling that the DTC Leadership would seem to rather have democratic voters bullet-vote their one candidate, and risk losing control of the BOE to the Republicans, than support Democratic candidates that democratic voters themselves petitioned to the ballot.
This is support of cronyism over values.
No votes for any incumbents – the current board is incompetent and serves the superintendent rather than the other way around. We need turn over here n a massive way.
I don’t get it.
We give raises promotions and support questionable firings then all agree we lack leadership? We need the grim reaper to clean house‼️🇺🇸
That is a tad extreme. We can do it by the ballot box.
I’d never buy anything the Republican Town Committee is selling—or endorsing. After the RTC propped up Camilo Riano in the last election, the group has forfeited any right to be taken seriously.
Abby Tolan seems to be saying All the Right Things, but I still have no clue about where she stands on important issues, and what concrete actions she’d take if elected.
It’s clear to me that our best choices are Shackelford, Harris, and Harrington. They’ll tell us what’s really going on, and they’ll bring clarity to a board that works in secrecy to make decisions that are somehow both incomprehensible and infuriating.
This is a Disinfection Election. Scrub wisely.
The current board is controlled by democrats if you’re concerned about how it has operated.
A point of clarification from our article. Not one of the current board members, other than I, who either are in the middle of their terms or are candidates in this election, have enrolled students in Westport Public Schools. There is one other board member who currently does (Kevin), but he is leaving the board. Our slate collectively has eight children enrolled in our schools at all levels. We believe this direct and personal connection to the schools matters.
As a member of the SpEd PTA with Abby, I have seen her push the administration to do what is right for our kids time and again on literacy, staffing and more. She is no rubber stamp.
Abby has proven through her work on the SpEd PTA that she won’t simply endorse what’s handed down. She pushes for what truly benefits our kids.
In all my years living in Westport, the BOE has never had a board member who is also a parent of a SpEd student. She brings an important and needed perspective to the table. Take the time to get to know her—you’ll see how seriously she takes this responsibility.
I served on the BoE for 16 years. I know for a fact that during my tenure, at least one BoE member had a child in Westport Public Schools that was a Special Education student. Due to privacy concerns, I will not publicly disclose which BoE member(s) that/they was/were.
The current BOE is an embarrassing collection serving the superintendent and doing nothing but practicing cronyism.
There are three obvious choices in this race and they are the three candidates who aren’t beholden to either town committee:
Stephen Shackleford
Jodi Harris
Robert Harrington
And let’s hope that however the race turns out, we replace the current Chair with some competent leadership.
Abby brings professional expertise AND, quite frankly, real heart to her service on the BOE. She is a true advocate for ALL students and is an amazing listener. Anyone (including myself!) who has had the benefit of receiving the kindness and concern for the wellbeing of their children from Abby can vouch for her incredible commitment to working for every student in our town.
She has no students attending our schools. Just like Lee.
Abby has always listened to my concerns about the Special Education System in Westport. She is approachable and thoughtful. She is a former teacher so she understands the ins and outs of education. She will be an important and excellent addition to the group.
Abby Tolan is thoughtful and resourceful. She’ll bring her experience to bear in advocating for all of our kids.
Abby brings a genuinely thoughtful and much needed voice to the table at the Board of Education. Having served with her on the Westport SpEd PTA, I witnessed how her experience has helped so many parents, care givers and kids in our community. She is an asset to the community and an essential representative on the BOE.
If the board of Ed doesn’t have investigative powers, how do you intend to make administrators more accountable. We’ve written to the board of Ed before and rarely receive an answer? For the candidates who stated they want to make special education administrators more accountable, how do you intend to do that when these administrators are not supervised by anyone? The bar for parents filing complaints is too high. Has anyone checked the growing number of settlements that the board of Ed signs off on every year. lynda kommel-browne lyndakicloud@gmail.com
Democrats running don’t have a SINGLE STUDENT in the schools. That says it all…
Both Harris and Shackelford have children in the Westport schools.
Facts matter. I encourage you to check yours. Jodi Harris has a child at Staples, and Shackelford has one at Staples and another at Coley Middle.
Kuku – yes facts do matter. The Republican attacks by the official candidates and their supporters towards Democrats who don’t have kids in the school are factually wrong and silly.
You could have 1000 kids in the school system – but if you don’t hold the administration and superintendent to account – then you are just a board member with a lot of kids!
It is pretty clear from the above statements that Shackelford and Harris afford the most granular and analytical approach. The others sound like they are regurgitating meaningless fluff calculated to be inoffensive and unobjectionable, but which offer no real solutions to identifiable problems.
It is not just that I like what Shackelford/Harris have to say. It is also that I have served with Steve Shackelford on the RTM and I know he listens carefully, does the hard work, has a balanced, even temperament, and comes up with cogent workable solutions. He knows how to lead.
His own children have attended Staples and played on Staples sports teams. I am grateful he cares so deeply about Westport that he is once again stepping up to devote his time to improve the Town.
He is far and away one of the most impressive public servants I have ever seen grace the Westport local government–both from an intellectual and character standpoint.
Let’s not dance around it: this election isn’t just about education, it’s about politics. Democratic leadership made it clear they weren’t interested in independent voices. They froze out Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford — two of the sharpest, most qualified candidates — simply because they refused to play the rubber-stamp game. So Jodi and Stephen went out in August, collected 400 signatures, and petitioned their way onto the ballot. They gave voters a choice when party insiders tried to deny one. That takes grit.
Meanwhile, what do we get from the “endorsed” Democrat BOE candidate?
1. Abby was appointed, never elected to her board seat.
2. She’s never dissented from the board chair’s wishes and rarely contributes meaningful commentary during public board meetings.
3. And with just over a month left in the campaign, she’s out of the country instead of campaigning — because party insiders assumed Westport Democrats wouldn’t need to work hard to win.
That’s not representation. That’s entitlement.
The incumbents in this race and the endorsed Democratic candidate represent the status quo: a board that protects the superintendent, rubber-stamps votes, and leaves parents, teachers, and students voiceless.
Harris & Shackelford represent independence, transparency, and real accountability. They don’t answer to party bosses. They’ll answer to us.
If you’re tired of insiders deciding for you, it’s time to send a message: vote Harris and Shackelford on November 4th.
Our schools deserve real leadership!
The current board—except for Robert Harrington—approved a superintendent’s raise while ignoring urgent needs, including outdated facilities, insufficient substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and custodians. At Staples High School, the largest school in the district, only two custodians cover the entire building during school hours.
With Jodi and Stephen, we will have purposeful, efficient, and responsive leadership. Jodi is no-nonsense, attentive, and effective—she listens, takes action, and always sees things through. I’ve worked alongside her for seven years at BMS and SHS and know she delivers results.
Stephen is honest, fair, and deeply respected. He served two terms on the RTM, building strong relationships across town. With a brilliant legal mind, he stands for transparency, good governance, and practical solutions. He’s one of the good guys—trusted, approachable, and committed to doing what’s right.
This is false. Dorie Hordon, as Vice Chair, voted against the 4pct pay raise. In fact, she led on this issue and anyone who thinks Dorie has given the administration a free pass over the last 4 years hasn’t been paying attention. The BOE needs this leadership going forward. Frustrations with the board are frustrations with the Democratic majority.
https://westportjournal.com/education/boe-approves-scarise-raise-5-2/
Dorie- my apologies for missing your name against the pay raise for the superintendent.
Christine – I understand your comment about the frustration with the current board’s (Democratic majority) view. However, as a registered Republican, Harris and Schackelford have my vote because they believe in transparency, with a forward-thinking approach and independent views, not party-driven.
Whatever the outcome, any Board of Education is better for Robert Harrington’s participation. I’d also cast a vote for anyone who promises to make the meetings shorter by dispensing with the long preambles before every topic. I’d also gladly vote for the person who promises to occasionally smile during a session.
While I have the mic, I also want to share my high opinion of Elliot Longo. I had the chance to work with him quite a bit this year, and he strikes me as someone who is always looking for solutions. the out
As a citizen, a resident, a parent, and a teacher myself, I can tell you that my biggest concern facing education today is making sure that Christian Nationalism does not seep into any aspect of our education system here in Westport. I have had Christian Nationals tell me that we are not a Democracy and that I should be fired for teaching kids that America is indeed a Democracy. We must hold dear our fragile Democracy and make sure that we are fighting for it in all aspects of our schools, particularly in the teaching of history. There is a nationalistic push to erase and whitewash history and replace it with teaching patriotism rather than teaching both the good and bad aspects. Furthermore, some would like us to reduce slavery to something other countries did too at the time, so it was not so bad.
We must make sure that we stand strong defending our school system from a Christian National take over. This also entails making sure we teach the facts about what is currently taking place.
interesting how Hordon is attaching herself to a group who say the biggest issue is Lack of Leadership (which I don’t disagree with). She seemed to have showed her lack of leadership during the whole soccer coaching fiasco. And Tolan raises the biggest issue being Operating Budget, yet voted for a ridiculous Superintendent raise. Everyone wants the best for our kids, teachers, etc, but Leaderhip and Accountability are how we get there.
This is a really great comment.
Could I add, I’ve lived here thirty years and any time there is any pushback against what BOE leadership wants, there is organized response acting as if those pushing back hate children. Is this the PTA that does this? The attacks on the community gardeners was just the latest example, but it happens all of the time. Especially at budget season.
It would be nice if the BOE acted as if ANYTHING in Town had any value other than the schools. 70% of our taxes go to the schools. We’re getting a 3% tax increase this year because of one school building project. I think residents are pretty clearly supportive of the schools.
So how about acting with a little discipline, for a change? I guess after thirty years I should have learned they never will.
Are any BOE candidates willing to say if there is a cap to the level of our taxes that should go to the BOE. 75%? 80%? 90%? 99%? It’s like accountability is some existential threat. Completely dishonest.
I don’t love this emphasis on who has kids in one of our schools at this moment as a criteria for being a good BOE candidate. I believe several of the current members have very recent graduates – as in a few months ago and the prior year. I wouldn’t agree that they don’t have a direct and personal connection. The fact that they are willing to still give of their time without students in the school demonstrates an unbiased commitment. If this is an important criteria I’d defer to someone who had a child throughout our schools rather than a parent as an example that has one at the elementary level. Someone who has had their kid go all the way through the school system and is still working on it is obviously connected.
I recently attended a coffe/talk at the Westport Library with Jodi Harris & Stephen Schakelford & felt they are both deserving of a spot on the BOE. They had specific issues/problems that were discussed openly & candidly – I appreciated that & their desire for transparency & willingness to admit what this board has done well & where improvement is desperately needed.