Toni Simonetti is a longtime advocate for the Westport Community Garden. The other day, she wrote about them on her Substack:
I spotted this drill in the upper field at Long Lots Elementary School on April 30.
Meanwhile, the first selectwoman closed the Westport Community Garden on May 1. It’s now forcibly and shamefully abandoned.
But when will it be bulldozed and otherwise desecrated? I tried to find out when the special permitted land use designation officially changes from “community garden” to construction dumping ground, then to regulation-size soccer pitch.
The garden use at then-11 Hyde Lane (since merged with 13 Hyde Lane) was first established via special permit with unanimous consent of the Planning & Zoning Commission on October 27, 2005 (Resolution #05-071).
Subsequently it was enlarged. A special permitted use as a garden was again approved unanimously on February 11, 2010 (Resolution #10-0001).
My question was simple, yet not one town official I asked could (would?) answer.
The Planning & Zoning chair did not understand my question. The town P&Z director said she lacked the expertise to answer. The town attorney on staff recused herself from garden matters, and referred me to Ira Bloom. Mr. Bloom doesn’t respond to my queries, so I did not even try.
I asked an experienced land use consultant, who was absolutely adamant that no other land use is allowed until such time as the existing use is changed.
Westport Community Garden.
To date, only an 8-24 municipal use report (to include a community garden) has been submitted to, and been approved by, P&Z.
However, an 8-24 does not change the existing land use. In addition, this one includes a garden.
The town must apply for special permitted land use as athletic fields, construction staging, parking, whatever. Then the P&Z must approve it. The town has not yet done so.
Furthermore, I anticipate the town will withdraw the present 8-24 report and submit a new one that excludes any mention of a garden, then must go through the 8-24 process all over again before applying for a new special permit. It has not yet done so.
At its last meeting on the matter — a pre-application for a site plan that did not include a garden — the P&Z made it clear it wants to see concrete plans for an alternate garden site underway before it will approve any new 8-24.
I have implored any number of people to do something on this front. I have offered ideas and plans to explore. I have offered sweat equity to get this done.
So far, crickets.
Garden gone. (Photos/Toni Simonetti)
Perhaps some secret dealings are underway, but the Westport Community Garden chair won’t say. It’s no surprise that I may have been blackballed from any progress; I don’t know.
But still, what’s going on? And why isn’t there an expanded group of invested citizens engaged?
Meanwhile, drills are drilling in preparation for construction of geothermal wells. The school year is winding down. The land use on Tier 1 remains on record as that of a community garden. And gardeners are banned from using the property for one last season of gardening.
I’ll be watching this little parcel until such time as the land use is changed. I bet tomatoes will be ripe on the vine before that happens.
Stay tuned.
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all. Email 06880blog@gmail.com.)
Jackie Robinson is a towering historical figure. Thanks to Major League Baseball’s ongoing efforts, every young fan today knows the story of the first man to break the sport’s Black barrier.
But older Americans have more first-hand knowledge of the Brooklyn Dodgers star. They were youngsters or adolescents when he played, or had recently retired.
Robinson was the subject of the Westport Library Common Ground Initiative‘s first-ever Jackie Robinson Essay Contest.
Modeled on TEAM Westport’s Teen Diversity Essay Contest, it invited area residents age 60 or older to reflect on this prompt: “Jackie Robinson stands as an icon of equality and civil rights. What does that say about the power of his legacy, of the place of sports in our culture, and about our modern-day society?”
The Library, Senior Center and Meryl Moss Media group chose 6 winners.
Tony Sanches won first place — and a Jackie Robinson Baseball Hall of Fame 1962 induction limited edition bat — for his essay, “Life Lessons.” A New York Mets fan who is very familiar with the large Robinson statue outside Citi Field, he wrote about how the player inspired him — a “brown-skinned kid … in an all-white Long Island suburb.” Sanches’ essay is here.
Second place went to Steve Karp. His essay “42 and Me” described the writer’s youth in Stamford — where Robinson lived — and the player’s personal impact on him.
It’s not easy, overseeing all the music and art education in the Westport Public Schools.
But Stephen Zimmerman does it — and does it well.
So well, in fact, that last week our townwide coordinator of music and visual arts was named Administrator of the Year, by the Connecticut Music Educators Association.
He was cited for his “visionary leadership, tireless advocacy for teachers, and unwavering commitment to ensuring high quality music programs for all students… (He) is deeply invested in teacher growth, regularly presenting at state and national conferences and working closely with Connecticut districts, teachers, and music administrators to strengthen instruction, curriculum, and assessment practices.”
Steve Zimmerman
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The 9th annual Westport Dog Festival is this Sunday (May 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Winslow Park).
This week, TAILS volunteers have been working like — you know — filling 1,000 doggie bags, given to attendees.
Sponsors provide an item to promote themselves. They include things like dog food, a doggie poop bag holder (with bags), dog bandannas, bubbles, refrigerator magnets and discount coupons.
This is one doggie bag you’re not embarrassed to ask for.
Westport Sunrise Rotary is collaborating with Open Doors Homeless Shelter in Norwalk for Epic Day of Service.
They’re looking for volunteers to help paint bed frames, and the front entrance of the facility.
Two shifts are avaiable this Saturday (May 17; 9 to 11 a.m., and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.). Please PM me if you are available and willing to give back. If interested, email asarelli@yahoo.com.
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To celebrate its decade, The Cottage has unveiled a Ten Year Tasting Menu.
The multi-course offering was designed by chef/owner Brian Lewis, 2025 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: Northeast. The limited-time menu pays homage to “the restaurant’s roots in seasonality, storytelling, and enduring partnerships with New England’s finest farmers, fishermen, and foragers.
“This menu is a tribute to the ingredients, people, and moments that have shaped our story over the past 10 years,” says Lewis.
“We pushed ourselves to dig deeper — reconnecting with our local purveyors, reimagining time-honored techniques, and creating dishes that carry real meaning. Each course reflects a memory, a partnership, or a turning point.”
The Westport Weston Family YMCA’s Extra Special Spring Bash is truly special.
The lively, inclusive event for teens and young adults with disabilities (May 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m.) is open to youth ages 12 to 18 with physical or neuro-diverse needs, and their families.
The Y will transform its fitness studio into a spring-themed festival, with music, dancing, games, food, a photo booth, gift bags, and plenty of joy. A live DJ will keep the energy high, in a safe, welcoming space made just for arrwnswwa.
.Ken Runkel’s digital artwork is a highlight of nearly every “06880” Saturday online art gallery.
But today’s post has nothing to do with art.
Ten years ago Ken’s daughter Lindsey — a 2009 Staples High School graduate — fractured her spine in a mountain biking accident. She was paralyzed from the chest down.
But she earned 2 degrees, including a BSN in nursing from the University of Connecticut. In fact, Lindsey broke new ground, as the first paraplegic nursing student at UConn.
Soon after graduation she was hired by Yale New Haven Hospital, as the only paraplegic registered nurse in the liver and kidney transplant unit. In 2021 she became a critical care nurse, in the ICU at Yale New Haven Hospital.
She has fought tirelessly to live fully, and refuses to let paralysis define or limit her. Yet she has faced harsh challenges, both medical and financial.
Lindsey was recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. She has encountered ongoing obstacles to find effective pharmaceutical and treatment solutions.
Her daily medical needs already carry significant costs, and the treatment for ulcerative colitis has further increased her financial burden.
A 37-year-old Darien women was charged with larceny, following an investigation into a March incident at Mitchells. The woman allegedly removed security bags from clothes worth more than $9,000 in a dressing room. She was released after posting a $50,000 bond.
Westport Police also issues these citations, between May 7 and 14:
Driving while texting: 7 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 4
And finally … in honor of Joe Vallone’s latest affordable housing project (story above):
(Another day, another Roundup filled with news about events, restaurants, and everything else that makes this town pop. If you enjoy this daily potpourri, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Terry Brannigan is a 1979 graduate of Staples High School. He wrestled there, then returned to live in Westport. His 3 sons have had great success here on the athletic field, in the classroom and music program, and on the stage.
He has followed the recent controversy over the non-renewal of coaches, and related events, with dismay.
Many others have too. Now it’s time for solutions. Terry may have one. After researching school ombudsmen, he writes:
The events surrounding the non-renewal of athletic coaches have done so much damage, eroded so much trust, and pulled our community so far apart that we have to find some way to reset.
What stands out to me from this event is that there truly is no neutral zone. No authentic transparency, and perhaps most importantly, no place for parents, students, administrators or staff to turn without the risk of exposure.
An ombudsman plays a critical neutral role in fostering trust, fairness and transparency within a school community. As tensions arise between families, staff and administration, an independent, accessible resource like an ombudsman becomes essential to preserving a healthy environment.
An ombudsman promotes transparency and fairness. By helping people understand how decisions are made and what processes are in place to voice concerns, an ombudsman improves communication across all levels of the school system. This reduces frustration, prevents misinformation and encourages collaboration.
Trust is another essential outcome of the role. By providing a safe and confidential space where students, parents and staff can raise issues without fear of retaliation, the ombudsman reinforces the school district’s commitment to listening, accountability and integrity.
An ombudsman supports proactive conflict resolution. By addressing issues early and informally, they help prevent small misunderstandings from escalating into larger disputes or legal action.
Unlike many roles in a school system, an ombudsman can assist even when concerns involve district leadership, including the superintendent. Their role is not to advocate for one side, but to help clarify issues, explore options, and promote fair treatment for all parties involved.
When a concern is raised an ombudsman listens carefully, provides clarity around policies or next steps, and helps individuals assess their options. They may facilitate conversations between parents and teachers, between staff members, or even between families and district leaders to reach informal resolutions.
All discussions are handled confidentially (within legal limits), which creates a safe environment where individuals can speak freely, especially in emotionally charged or high-stakes situations.
Because an ombudsman operates independently, they can support resolution efforts even when the issue involves high-ranking officials. This ensures that every concern is treated with the same level of seriousness and fairness.
In addition to addressing individual cases, an ombudsman has a broader impact. They monitor for recurring issues and trends, providing leaders with feedback that can help improve policy, communication, and district culture.
In today’s educational landscape, where schools are expected to be responsive, inclusive and transparent, an ombudsman provides a critical link between the community and the district. They embody a commitment to fairness, integrity and student success — values that benefit everyone in the school system.
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all. Email 06880blog@gmail.com).
Matthew Gatto attended Westport schools from kindergarten through Staples High graduation, in 2023.
He worked as a Parks & Recreation Department tennis instructor, and offered private lessons too. That experience sparked his interest in education.
He did his senior internship at Blackham Elementary School in Bridgeport, where his mother volunteers with the Book Buddies literacy program.
Matthew is a rising junior at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus, in the accelerated master’s program for education. He continues to teach tennis through the Johnny Mac Project — John McEnroe’s non-profit organization, which provides free after-school programs to underserved children. Matthew writes:
As a future educator and recent graduate of the Westport public school system, I’ve experienced firsthand how much students benefit from well-resourced classrooms and fully supported teachers.
Just a few miles away in Bridgeport, students face a different reality. It should concern us all, as Fairfield County residents.
Matthew Gatto, with Blackham students.
My connection to the Bridgeport public school system began as a Staples senior, when I interned at Blackham Elementary School.
There, I had the opportunity to work alongside 4 incredibly dedicated and caring teachers. These educators were deeply invested in their students’ success, both in and outside of the classroom. They worked tirelessly to build a community where each student felt valued and excited to learn.
The students at Blackham solidified my passion for teaching. They welcomed me into their school with warmth and enthusiasm. They were bright, motivated, and eager to learn. But, as with many of their peers in Bridgeport, they face unique challenges that should concern us all.
Last month, the Bridgeport Board of Education voted to eliminate 20 teaching positions, all 15 school librarians, and 5 assistant principals across the district. These cuts come on top of 45 positions already eliminated in December.
One note to Matthew from a grateful student …
Unfortunately, they are just the beginning of a series of concerning reductions.
For the teachers who remain in the district, class sizes will expand, making it much more difficult to provide individualized support for students with diverse needs and learning styles. With fewer resources, these dedicated educators are being asked to do more with less.
Equally concerning, special education programs face major reductions. Cutting back on essential services for students who need it the most is a grave disservice to an already vulnerable population.
… and another.
Also being eliminated is the district’s performing and visual arts programs, including the popular FAME After-school Arts Academy. This decision deprives students of creative outlets that have been proven to support emotional development and academic achievement.
The proposed cuts also include terminating bus transportation for over 2,000 students. This concerning action will hinder many children’s ability to attend school. Many students in Bridgeport, especially those from working families, rely on the bus system to get to school. Removing this will have devastating consequences.
In my opinion, one of the most heartbreaking cuts is the elimination of all 15 school librarians. Blackham librarian Aimee Guerrero has been instrumental in promoting a new generation of lifelong readers.
Aimee has transformed the library into a sanctuary where students have the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and gain critical thinking skills.
I fear that eliminating this position will be a devastating setback for a school where many students are English language learners, and already face significant challenges with reading proficiency.
These cuts are detrimental for a district that already struggles with limited resources. Eliminating staff, programs and transportation only deepens the barriers students already face.
The fight for funding is now in the hands of State Legislators and Governor Ned Lamont. We are in the final stages of negotiating the state budget, with a deadline of June 4.
This is a critical moment to make our voices heard and demand better for Bridgeport’s children. I urge all readers to write to Governor Lamont. Tell him that these cuts are unacceptable. Tell him that every child, regardless of ZIP code, deserves access to a quality education.
Because when one of our neighboring school districts struggles, the strength of our entire community is put at risk.
(Our “06880” Opinion pages are open to all readers. To learn more, email 06880blog@gmail.com.)
On Saturday night Laurie Schneider’s family was downstairs, deciding where to go to dinner.
They heard a giant crash, glass shattering, then a loud thud from above.
They raced upstairs to see what had collapsed: a light fixture? Shelving? Laurie imagined the treadmill had crashed through the ceiling.
Her oldest daughter screamed, “There’s a turkey in my room!”
That’s right: a 35-pound turkey had flown in and exploded through her second floor bedroom window, covering the floor with shattered glass.
Turkey in the bedroom.
The Schneiders called the non-emergency police line (and were told it was in fact a legitimate emergency).
An officer arrived quickly. They all knew that when threatened, wild turkeys can attack humans, so they had to be thoughtful.
The bedroom lights were off and the shades closed when the large bird crashed in, so there was no obvious exit. Glass all over her floor was an added concern.
As they waited for Animal Control, more officers arrived. The last one was part of the K-9 unit. He bravely went in with a lasso (with no intention of hurting the turkey), and a towel.
Officers on the scene.
For nearly 5 minutes, it was officer vs. turkey.
The turkey flew around the bedroom. The scene was chaotic.
Finally, the officer opened the shade. The turkey flew out.
The Schneiders hope it will never return.
At least, not until it’s on a Thanksgiving platter.
Congratulations to Sgt. David Librandi, and Officers Greg Gunter, Devonte Savage and David Scinto, who helped the Schneiders. You are this week’s Unsung — but very appreciated — Heroes.
(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
“06880” asked Kevin Christie why he recused himself from participation in Monday’s hearing regarding the non-renewal of Staples High School boys soccer coach Russell Oost-Lievense’s contract. The Board of Education member says:
I made the difficult decision to recuse myself from this hearing, well before expressing any interest in other local offices, because of my personal connections to the soccer program and case.
Leadership and good governance can often mean making challenging decisions, and I made this decision out of respect for everyone involved. It was not an action I took lightly, and I continue to stand by it.
A well-known and longtime Westporter will lead the Memorial Day parade as grand marshal: Judge Edward Karazin.
Shortly after marrying in 1965, he joined the Army. Deployed to Vietnam as a civil affairs officer, he served as a MACV advisor in the Pacification Program. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Vietnamese Gallantry Cross.
Following his service, Karazin returned home to pursue his passions for law and community. He was a lawyer and judge, providing pro bono legal work for veterans, and continues to support Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399 in Westport.
He has spoken regularly at schools about his military experience, leads the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Stamford courthouse, and is an active participant in veterans’ events and local parades
Judge Karazin has also been a Little League coach and board member, Pop Warner board member, lector at Assumption Church, and instructor for in-service training with the Westport Police Department. He was also an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University, teaching legal writing and family law.
The Memorial Day parade is May 26. It begins at 9 a.m. on Riverside Avenue, continues on Post Road East to Myrtle Avenue to Main Street, and ends at Parker Harding Plaza.
A special program begins immediately after the parade, at Veteran Green across from Town Hall.
Judge Edward Karazin
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The Board of Education meets tomorrow (Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m., Staples cafeteria).
Among the key agenda items: a recommendation from superintendent Thomas Scarice on smartphones and wearable technology, and a redistricting update.
The meeting begins with 15 minutes of comment by the public, on non-agenda items.
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The Sanity Podcast — Westport journalist Dave Briggs and Alisyn Camerata’s extremely educational and entertaining podcast — dropped its most sizzling episode ever this week.
Senator Richard Blumenthal came to the Content Studio on Saugatuck Avenue. He said that “no other scandal in American history” compares to President Trump’s crypto dealings, meme coin scams, and foreign cash grabs.
“Is America sliding into autocracy?” Dave and Alisyn ask. “Discover how $300 million was made in 100 days, and what Congress refuses to stop.”
At the age of 96, Tom Lowrieis resigning as Westport’s pickleball ambassador.
The new ambassador — selected by USA Pickleball — is Brandon Osterhout. A native Westporter, Staples High School graduate and local business owner, he is as active a player has Tom has been for years.
Brandon will continue to promote the sport, through tournaments, social events, exhibitions, and new courts.
“Thank you for your years of friendship, and your shared love of pickleball,” Tom says. “You will still see me around the courts, waving from the sidelines.”
Thanks for all your service, Tom. This would not be a pickleball paradise without you!
Tom Lowrie (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
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Westport has plenty of talented young artists.
But they get lots of help from their art teachers. And those instructors are very talented too.
The Westport Art Teacher Exhibition features work from educators across the district, including Stephanie Sileo, Mark DeRosa, Paula Morgan, Timothy Soper, Cecily Anderson, Carla Eichler, Cameryn Robinson, Denise Cuccia, Angela Simpson, and Danilo Sierra-Giraldo.
Seen downtown: L’Occitane on Main Street is closed for renovations. They’ll reopen later this month.
Meanwhile, around the corner on Church Lane, Fig Linens is closing. “Everything must go,” the sign says.
(Hat tip and photos/Sal Liccione)
Just a few yards away, Mrs. London’s finished with her/its loadout. The final day was Sunday. New York-based Maman takeks over soon.
The final item in the truck: the cappuccino machine.
(Hat tip and photo/Matt Murray)
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It’s cool that Leo is the first American pope.
But he’s from Chicago — 840 miles from here. We can’t really claim him as one of our own.
Still, he’s got at least one connection to this area. Check out Pope Leo XIV singing “Feliz Navidad” — the jangly, popular, not-very-religious-at-all Christmas tune written and performed by Weston’s own José Feliciano.
The Westporter is a 5-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and director of network television. He has worked with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Audra McDonald and Kelli O’Hara.
He is also a noted stage director and writer. But symphony conducting remains his first love. He is a frequent musical director and conductor at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and been involved with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
This Saturday (May 17), Wilk will be at Waterbury’s Palace Theater. He will conduct the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra for a night of music and memories, celebrating 20 years of Broadway musicals.
The show will include musical numbers from “The Phantom of the Opera,”
“Ragtime,” “Evita” and “Dreamgirls,” plus “Over the Rainbow,” “Memory” and “Tomorrow.”
Pianist/composer Ted Rosenthal headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, May 15, VFW Post 399, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. shows, dinner at 7; $20 music charge, $15 veterans and students).
He’ll be joined by trumpeter Josh Bruneau, bassist Martin Wind, drummer Tim Horner and saxophonist Greg Wall. Tickets are available here.
Steven Lewine died peacefully on April 13. He was 67, and had been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease just 10 days earlier, and spent that time surrounded by his many loved ones.
At age 15, the Great Neck, Long Island native was hit by a truck while walking to school. Hespent several weeks in a full body cast. Doctors told him his survival was due to strength and luck. He often referred back to this experience to tap into a deep well of resilience and optimism.
He became the first person in his family to go to college. Steve studied Spanish and business in New York, Mexico, Canada, Arizona and Spain, earning 2 master’s degrees. He married Blandine in 1984. He had a career in investment banking, working across Latin America and spending 5 years in São Paulo, Brazil.
In 2013 he married Julie. He built a second career as a financial advisort. In 2021 he endowed the Lewine Global Engagement Fund at his alma mater, SUNY Brockport, to facilitate international experiences like the ones that shaped him.
He was passionate about the Rotary Club, through which he organized fundraising and service trips to schools and nonprofit organizations in Latin America.
Steve is survived by his wife Julie; their children Chris (Natalie), Nico (Pallavi), Gabby (Jimmy), Cara Miller (Cory) and Cody Wright (Laura), and grandchildren Leonardo, Jaya, Isabelle, and Owen, and siblings Julie, Bob and Barbara. Steve was also a father figure to his late brother Danny’s eldest daughter Patricia (Jason), and counted her daughter Rosalie among his grandchildren.
A memorial service is set for May 29 (2 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church). with a celebration of life to follow that day from 5-7 p.m. at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” shows a rhododendron. Photographer Bob Weingarten notes that it flowers from the bottom up.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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And finally … Happy National Night Shift Workers Day!
(“06880” works 24/7 — including the night shift — to bring you all of Westport’s news, events, photos and more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
At Monday’s 14-hour Board of Education hearing, members voted 5-1 against overturning superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s decision to not renew the contract of boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense.
Robert Harrington was the only member voting to reinstate the coach, a former Staples captain whose appeal was bolstered by the presence of dozens of players. Harrington writes to “06880”:
1) The Board of Education failed Westport in the soccer head coach non-renewal hearing. Why did they act like a rubber stamp, and were not concerned with all the withheld evidence and witnesses from our administration?
2) At the tennis coach non-renewal hearing earlier this year, BOE chair Lee Goldstein recused herself. For this soccer hearing, it was first selectman candidate and BOE member Kevin Christie’s turn. Why did Kevin recuse himself, and avoid having to make an important decision? Is that leadership?
3) Staples Principal Thomas Stafford was not in command of any details at the hearing, and represented the Westport Public Schools poorly. Why was he asked to give evidence, yet other valuable witnesses were blocked by Westport Superintendent?
4) I am calling for athletics director VJ Sarullo to immediately step down. When will the drama in the Staples athletics department end?
5) Restoring coaches’ confidence in Westport: What is next for non-renewed soccer coaches?
Robert Harrington
I love being on the Board of Education. But during large parts of a 14-hour testimony on Monday, I felt our community was let down by both our school administration and the actions of the Board of Education.
I am not afraid to vote in a different direction than my fellow board members.
I respect my fellow Board of Education colleagues — but not on this matter. The lack of any questions by the majority of the board toward the administration speaks volumes. Their silence was deafening. The absence of sitting BOE member and nominated Democratic candidate for first selectman Kevin Christie stood out.
I have been a strong supporter of superintendent Scarice on many issues. However, I was highly disappointed with his decision to block 8+ witnesses from the hearing on Monday. This indicated a clear bias.
There are dozens of emails that board members are being prevented from seeing. What is in them?
There was only a very limited investigation into “the incident” in 2024. The investigation basically only lasted from October 24-29. After this date, no additional information or witnesses were considered.
However, there was no communication or updates to the coaches. The administration was playing the long game, and stretching thing out — just as they had done with the tennis coach investigation.
I have serious concerns about how this administration conducts investigations. I also saw this in the antisemitic bullying situation with the Goldberg family last year. There seems to be a pattern here. It is my strong view that the very limited investigation into the soccer coaches was an egregious failure of governance and due process.
Furthermore, the performance and lack of clear answers from the three administration witnesses was highly concerning to me. It doesn’t appear that this was concerning to other board members.
An image of “3 stooges” entered my head on my midnight walk home: the superintendent, Staples principal and athletics director. They could barely recall basic facts about the case.
Staples principal Thomas Stafford seemed to recall almost zero details on any of the matters. His testimony was disrespectful to Westport, the players, and certainly the coaches. Was this the best evidence that was on offer for Westport? Are they taking you seriously?
From left: principal Stafford Thomas, athletic director VJ Sarullo and superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, at Monday’s hearing.
I truly believe athletic director, VJ Sarullo should lose his job. He is overseeing a sports department that is bungling from one crisis to another. Soaring legal costs. A non-renewal case for a long standing tennis coach that was rightly thrown out, as the paperwork wasn’t correctly done.
A community of sportsmen and women and parents that seems to be turning against him. A tone-deaf approach to abolishing the 60+ year tradition of the Bock “S” award. The list is building. Numerous coaches have reached out to me since the hearing on Monday.
Athletic director VJ Sarullo replaced the traditional block “S” with a generic plaque this year.
Monday’s hearing was an embarrassment to Westport Public Schools and our town. There are more hearings on the way – and probably more legal challenges too.
No wonder our athletic director can longer afford to keep a 60-year+ old Block “S” tradition alive, with all these legal bills building up on his watch.
Let me summarize the lack of evidence and transparency in this hearing from your school district:
The Administration objected to 8 witnesses — including the former athletics director (who was trashed by the Superintendent during the hearing, with zero right to respond). They also did not permit the assistant suprintendent for human resources and coaches in other sports programs at Staples to testify, who could provide insight into training and policies.
The Administration prevented us (and you) from seeing dozens of emails. We will never know what is in them.
When I asked our attorney the weekend before the hearing about this exclusion of evidence, it was suggested I might need to recuse myself, and risk being responsible for a “7-fold increase” in legal costs for BOE.
No one that was a witness to either the 2022 or 2024 incidents was called as a witness by our administration.
Students who were direct witnesses in 2024 came forward to be interviewed by our administration. This was rejected.
Many current players supported coach Russell Oost-Lievense at Monday’s hearing.
The administration admitted that a 2022 coach evaluation was not produced — or they don’t have it. (The notice of non-renewal from our administration did not explicitly refer to an incident in 2022. However, it formed a large part of the administration’s oral testimony)
The Administration would nor or did not make available a report into their own independent investigation of the 2022 situation for the hearing. It never presented the report to the coach back in 2022.
– The Administration would not or did not make available the Department of Children and Family Services report from 2022 that found no wrongdoing by the head coach.
– The Administration reported a misleading call to DCF about a “physical” interaction between a student and (a different soccer coach) in 2024, and knew this not to be the case. Despite this exaggerated report, DCF declined to investigate and notified the administration the same day.
No coaches’ handbook exists in Westport Public Schools. Fortunately. we were told, “We are working on it.”
To be clear: there was no suggestion that head coach Russell Oost-Lievense was physical towards a child. He was not.
Additionally, there was also no suggestion that the head coach had any verbal integrations or disagreements was a student athlete in 2024. He is accused of not reporting a verbal disagreement between another coach and a student.
Both coaches at the hearing said the other coach and student “hugged it out” and resolved their disagreement shortly afterwards, and both apologized to the their teammates.
Furthermore, whilst suspended on full-pay the head coach attended an end-of- season banquet not hosted by the school, nor at the school, and not a school event. He received multiple invitations from booster clubs, players and parents.
He has also asked for clarity, and ultimately left a message to the athletic director informing him that he would be attending the banquet.
The athletic director did not respond or communicate with the head coach about this. Furthermore, neither the superintendent, Staples principal or athletic director attended the banquet, despite the total lack of clarity within the Boys Soccer program. Maybe it wasn’t important to them?
I am glad and proud that head coach Russell Oost-Lievense attended the end of season banquet.
No one in my family plays soccer, and I have never met any of the Staples soccer coaches who were non-renewed in late 2024, until Monday. I was impressed by the head coach and the bond he has formed with his team.
Most of them sat there for 14 hours on Monday. It was a real community. I was proud as a father, and as a board member.
Head coach Russell Oost-Lievense (standing, 3rd from left), with players during a break in Monday’s hearing.
I heard his impactful testimony about how he stood up against bullying on the team in 2022. He immediately reported a truly serious matter back in 2022 to our administration, and they seemingly did nothing.
The compassion and vulnerability from the coach was plain for all to see. He is clearly there 24/7 for these kids, in a role that probably pays $7,000 per a year. He is a full-time teacher in Darien public schools, and has been employed for many years with no issues from that district.
I would be proud for any of my children to have been taught and/or coached by him.
I am deeply concerned with the way this administration and Board of Education have treated this coach.
I know they made the argument on Monday that the program was better off without him. I disagree. The sad statement from me as a sitting Board of Education member is actually the coach maybe better off without Westport or Westport Public Schools.
I have never been more proud than to stand separately from the board, and the embarrassment of a case that the administration made and I witnessed on Monday.
Head coach Russell Oost-Lievense should be reinstated. Staples athletic director, VJ Sarullo should do the right thing, and immediately step down.
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An ombudsman plays a critical neutral role in fostering trust, fairness and transparency within a school community. As tensions arise between families, staff and administration, an independent, accessible resource like an ombudsman becomes essential to preserving a healthy environment.
