There will be new faces on the Board of Education, after November’s election.
At last week’s first meeting of the 2025-26 school year, there already was one.
Anwara Olasewere joined the BOE as one of 2 Staples High School student representatives. The junior joins Souleye Kebe, a senior beginning his second year.
Though the 2 students cannot vote, they participate in discussions. Last year, Board members found their insights particularly important in areas like the proposed cellphone ban, and a new master schedule.
Anwara moved to Westport at 4 from St. Louis, for her mother’s job with MasterCard. She attended Long Lots Elementary and Bedford Middle School, before Staples.
A member of the Westport Youth Commission, Staples Student Council, Teen Awareness Group and several honor societies, she is perhaps best known as a swimmer. A sprinter (50 and 100 free) for Chelsea Piers in Stamford, she spends 15 hours a week in the pool — plus more time in the weight room. (One of her 2 sisters, Annam, who graduated in June from Staples, now swims at Stanford University.)
Anwara Olasewere
Anwara sees the Board of Ed as a natural extension of her work with Staples’ Student Council.
In her application video and subsequent interview with current members, she stressed her desire to connect the high school with the board, and to help current students.
“I’ve never been on a board before,” she notes. “I want to learn more about leadership.”
Her friends are excited to actually know a member of the Board of Education. She hopes to educate them — and many other Staples students — about it.
“They know there is a Board of Ed,” she says. “But they don’t know a lot about it.”
Board chair Lee Goldstein looks forward to working with Anwara.
“We’re in our third year of student representatives participation on our goard, and each of them has exceeded all our expectations,” she says.
“Anwara impressed us with her thoughtfulness and ability to see issues from multiple perspectives. We are excited to welcome her.”
Souleye Kebe, Westport’s other Board of Education student representative.
(“06880” regularly covers education in Westport — and the students in our schools. If you appreciate these stories, or anything else on this hyper-local blog, please click here to support us. Thank you!)
The signatures have been gathered and verified. Today, Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris launched their campaign for the Board of Education.
Though running as Democrats, the pair were not endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee. Those nods went to incumbent Abby Tolan and Lauren Karpf, deputy moderator of the Representative Town Meeting. Earlier this month, Karpf left the race, to seek re-election to the RTM. The DTC has decided not to replace her on the ticket.
The Republicans have nominated 4 candidates: incumbent Dorie Hordon, plus Michelle Hopson, Andy Frankel and Kaitlin Zucaro.
Board of Ed members serve staggered terms, so not every seat will be contested in November. There are currently 4 Democrats, 2 Republicans and 1 unaffiliated member on the board. Because by law one party can have only a bare majority — 4 seats — on the 7-member BOE, only 2 of the 3 Democrats could be elected. All 4 Republicans, however, could get the voters’ nod.
Shackelford is an attorney, and former RTM member. Harris recently completed a term as Staples High School PTA co-president. They say:
Today, on the first day of school, we’re excited to officially launch our campaign. Like so many families, including our own, we’re feeling that familiar mix of promise and excitement as our kids head off to another year in Westport’s public schools. It’s a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a community with exceptionally dedicated teachers, staff, coaches and administrators.
Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris.
Over the coming months we look forward to meeting many more of you, hearing your perspectives, and sharing our ideas. To our students, parents, teachers, staff, coaches and administrators: We wish you a wonderful, rewarding school year.
And to our neighbors: We look forward to earning your trust and your vote this November.
Shackelford and Harris’s Instagram — with information on their principles and plans — is @HarrisShackelfordBOE. Their email isharris.shackelford@gmail.com.
Posted onAugust 19, 2025|Comments Off on Karpf Leaves Board Of Ed Race
And now there are 3.
Lauren Karpf — one of 2 candidates nominated by the Democratic Town Committee for the Board of Education — is stepping out of that race.
After careful consideration, she believes she can make a greater impact by running to remain on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM). The District 7 member currently serves as deputy moderator.
After consultation with the Democrats currently serving on the Board of Ed — chair Lee Goldstein, secretary Neil Phillips, and members Kevin Christie and Abby Tolan — the Democratic Town Committee has decided not to endorse another candidate.
Tolan is running for re-election. She and Karpf were endorsed by the DTC last month. Two other Democrats — Steve Shackelford and Jodi Harris — are also in the race, as petitioning candidates.
By state statute, one party can hold no more than a bare majority — 4 seats on the 7-member board. Thus, the Democrats will enhance their chances by running 3 candidates, rather than 4. With Goldstein and Phillips in the middle of their 4-year terms, and remaining on the BOE, only 2 of those 3 could be seated.
Meanwhile, the Republican Town Committee has endorsed 4 candidates: incumbent Dorie Hordon, plus Michelle Hopson, Andy Frankel and Kaitlin Zucaro. If all 4 win, the GOP would have a majority on the Board of Education.
Singing and bantering in English and Spanish (and a little Italian), José Feliciano enterained a full and adoring crowd last night, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
The historic theater was the venue for the legendary, Grammy Lifetime Achievement-winning artist. It was a benefit for the Church of the Assumption, which next year celebrates its 150th anniversary. (That’s almost as old as the 94-year-old Playhouse and 80-year old Feliciano combined.)
The guitarist was accompanied by his sons Mikey (bass) and Jonnie (drums), and a band that — along with Feliciano — played a wide range of songs, in genres including Latin, rock, blues, Motown, Dylan and jazz (plus a smooth Sam Cooke tune).
José Feliciano (right), Hawkins French (left), and 3 other musicians in the 11-member band. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The 2-hour show ended with 2 of Feliciano’s best-sellers: “Light My Fire” and (of course) “Feliz Navidad.”
He’s sung that tune at Assumption’s Christmas Mass for over 3 decades. He and his wife Susan — who took a deserved bow — have been longtime parishioners and supporters of the Riverside Avenue church.
José Feliciano and his wife Susan. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Looking for a great activity for your son or daughter?
Look no further than Scouting.
Westport Troops 39 (boys) and 139 (girls) welcome new potential members and their families in grades 5-12 for homemade pizza making and a bonfire (September 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Compo Beach).
Current members and adult leaders will answer questions, and share their excitement about plans for 2025-26 They include:
Ziplining
Downhill mountain biking
Camping
Whitewater rafting
Climbing
A trip to Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island
Leadership and service opportunities
And more.
Questions? Email Troop39Westport@gmail.com.
Troops 39 and 139.
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George C. White — the driving force behind the famed Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, who died August 6 at 89 — was not a Westporter.
But he nurtured and influenced many residents.
Werner Liepolt was playwright-in-residence at the O’Neill theater — twice.
Liepolt says that Westporter Arthur Kopit was also a resident playwright. Max Wilk was a dramaturg there for several summer sessions.
And Michael Douglas — who lived with his mother on Whitney Street, in a house that Kopit later rented — was a frequent actor on the Eugene O’Neill Theater stage.
This crepe myrtle catches Topsy Siderowf’s eye, very time she passes it on Compo Road South.
She sends it along as today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo, adding, “They are more often seen in the south. But this specimen is thriving in Zone 7.”
And finally … Bobby Whitlock — a keyboardist and singer-songwriter who helped found Derek and the Dominos, and played with stars like Eric Clapton and George Harrison — died Sunday in Texas. He was 77, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
(As we gear up for the start of school, add this to your checklist: Please click here to support “06880.” We’ll keep providing all the news you need — with your help. Thank you all!)
Here in Westport we’ve endured long and heated debates, on a series of topics.
Really long. And very heated.
The outcomes have not pleased everyone. They never will.
But decisions have been made. And they’ve been made by people we elected to make them.
The Planning & Zoning Commission spent hundreds of hours on one topic — the Hamlet — this year alone. There were many other agenda items too. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
They’re not random men and women. They’re fellow Westporters.
Our neighbors.
They sit through long — really long — meetings. They spend time before, reading reports. They spend time after, listening to residents.
You and I may not like their decisions. But they’re the ones who have stepped up, volunteered, and been elected or appointed to do the job.
Some are running again. Some have stepped down.
Some newcomers are on the November ballot. Some are petitioning to join them.
All deserve our thanks. They are doing the thankless, tedious and trying work of government.
We can watch the meetings, or not. It’s our choice.
They’re the ones sitting there, in person or on Zoom.
And some of those meetings are really long.
(PS: Interested in running for the Representative Town Meeting? You need just 25 signatures from voters in your district. The deadline is September 9. Contact Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton: 203-341-1105; jdunkerton@westportct.gov.)
(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
In May, the Board of Education rejected an appeal by Staples High School boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense of superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s decision to not renew his contract.
Freshman coach Chris O’Dell was also not renewed by Scarice. His appeal hearing is set for September 12.
Westport’s loss is Fairfield’s gain.
The pair have joined the coaching staff at Fairfield Warde High School, and been embraced by the Mustang community.
Despite the ordeal, both coaches retain their love for the Staples soccer program. Both are graduates of the school, and former captains.
In heartfelt letters to players and parents, Oost-Lievense and O’Dell describe their long connection to Wrecker soccer; thank their supporters, and note that Staples and Warde will collaborate in the future — including a fundraiser for pediatric cancer research, when the teams meet on September 27.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice is getting a raise — and another year on his contract.
The Board of Education voted yesterday to give the town’s highest paid official a 4% increase, from his current $321,661 salary. Another year was also added to his 3-year rolling contract.
The vote was 5-2 in favor. BOE members Robert Harrington and Dorie Hordon voted against the increase. Harrington cited both finances and Scarice’s performance, in areas like renewals of coaches’ contracts, while Hordon focused solely on a raise that is above the national inflation rate.
In 2023, Mandy Patinkin sold out the Westport Country Playhouse.
His November 21 show is sure to do the same.
The Tony- and Emmy-winning star (“The Princess Pride,” “Yentl,” “Dick Tracy”) returns to the Westport stage in “Jukebox.” The show features classic musical numbers, hand-picked by Patinkin and presented in his own special style.
As “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Assocation put the final touches on this Sunday’s Soundview Summer Stroll (July 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), we’re looking for a few teenagers (or parents!) to help run games and fun for little kids, in 1-2 hour shifts.
It’s already organized. We just need helping hands! If interested, please email at kristinemott@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, get ready to enjoy live music, eat, play, stroll, Rollerblade, and otherwise enjoy the Compo Beach exit road — closed to all traffic — on Sunday.
See you there!
Among the activities at last year’s Soundview Summer Stroll: chalking the street. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
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Immigrant justice is the topic of a panel discussion July 31 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library).
The event — sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Congegation of Westport — features Professor Cristina Jiménez, author of “Dreaming of Home: How We Turn Fear Into Pride, Power and Real Change.”
She is also an award-winning community organizer, former executive director of the nationwide immigrant youth organization United We Dream, and the recipient of a MacArthur “genius grant.”
Members of Make the Road CT will share stories, and discuss how to support efforts that push back against anti-immigrant policies. Click here for more information.
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between July 16 and 22.
A 30-year-old Queens man was charged with burglary, larceny and criminal mischief, plus conspiracy to commit those crimes, following an investigation into a 2023 burglary of a Westport home. The stolen items — including jewelry and designer handbags — were worth more than $50,000. The suspect ws held in a New York correctional facility, and extradited here. He was unable to post a $30,000 bond.
A 56-year-old Norwalk man was charged with disorderly conduct, following a domestic disturbance in a school parking lot.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonbly fast: 6 citations
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 4
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 3
Driving while texting: 2
Distracted driving: 2
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
Larceny: 1
Speeding: 1
Passing in a no-passing zone: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to grant right of way: 1
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
Stay in your lane! Don’t pass unless it’s allowed!
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Longtime Westport resisdent Dr. Charles Huebner died in his sleep on December 29. He was 89 years old.
He was interred with full military honors at the Assumption Cemetery in Greens Farms last month.
Charlie was an active member of St. Luke Church — chairing the Finance and Parish Council for many years — along with the Patterson Club and Minuteman Yacht Club.
He was born in Hungary, and spent his early years in Budapest. Impacted by excesses of national socialism during World War II and the imminent Russian invasion, the family fled to Austria, before settling in Detroit.
Charlie earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (first in his class) from the University of Detroit. He was commissioned as an Air Force officer, then earned a master’s in aero/astronautics engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He completed his military service at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, then joined NASA’s Apollo space program as a project engineer, while also earning a doctorate from American University.
In 1968 Charlie and his family moved to Westport, when he transitioned to the corporate world. He held senior executive positions with General Electric, AMF and US Industries.
In 1990, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, Charlie led the Hungarian American Enterprise Fund, established by Congress to help open Hungary to private investments.
He moved to Budapest, where he spearheaded efforts to reform the country’s economic structure. Charlie was elected president of the American Chamber of Commerce there, and was a leading member of the Hungarian-American business community.
Charlie was a devout Catholic, and a Knight of Magisterial Grace in the Order of Malta. He was chosen by the Order to serve as a deputy ambassador to Hungary, a position that carried full diplomatic status.
Charlie met and married Suzan Lawlor in college. They raised 4 children in Westport: Chuck (Lucy), Christine Rohan (Paul), Diane Dillon (Peter) and Andrea Kalkstein (Bart). They survive him, along with 11 grandchildren.
After Suzan’s death in 1984, Charlie married Zsuzsa Korab and had a fifth child, Alexandra Doane (Bobby). He was predeceased by his brother.
Services were held earlier this year. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Jesuits.
The Democratic and Republican Town Committees nominated candidates last night for the Board of Selectmen, and a variety of other boards and commissions. (Click here for that story.)
They’ll all be on the ballot on November 4.
Well — maybe not all.
The 2 Democratic candidates for Board of Education — incumbent member Abby Tolan and Representative Town Meeting deputy moderator Lauren Karpf — may face a primary challenge.
Former RTM member Steve Shackelford and outgoing Staples High School PTA co-president Jodi Harris plan to run against the endorsed slate. They’ll pick up petitions at Town Hall today.
If they receive enough signatures — 5% of registered Democrats (approximately 500 names) — the Democratic primary would be September 9.
Steve Shackelford and Jodi Harris.
Harris and Shackelford are “proud registered Democrats. We think our party has historically served the town well on the Board of Education,” they told “06880.”
“More recently though, the BOE as a whole — including the Democratic majority — has lost its way in its prmary tasks of exercising true oversight over the Westport Public Schools administration, and being responsive to our community and its concerns. We believe we are the best people for that job.”
They add, “In talking through the many issues and conflicts facing the BOE this past year, we realized we see eye to eye on the type of role the Board should play, and the ways in which the BOE as currently constituted has fallen short.
“We believe the best way to make the BOE, and the administration, more accountable to the people of Westport is to run, and win, together.
“That way, we can ensure this push for meaningful and cnstructive oversight, accountbility and transparency is not just a one-person show, but a movement with real inquiry, discussion and momentum.”
The pair noted their complementary skill sets: Harris’ long involvement with Westport public schools at all levels, and Shackelford’s understanding of “good governance, acountability and proper risk management.”
Harris moved to Westport in 2008. Her daughters have gone through the Westport schools. She has volunteered from preschool through Staples, including as a member of the Bedford and Coleytown Middle Schools combined PTA, when those schools were merged.
She has spent her career in children’s book publishing, including most recently as editorial director at HarperCollins. She authored and ghost-wrote over 40 children’s books.
Shackelford has lived in Westport since 2016. His 4 children have gone through, or are still in, the district’s schools.
Inspired to serve in local government during the mold closure of CMS, he served 2 terms on the RTM.
A lawyer at Susman Godfrey, Shackelford was co-lead counsel for Dominion Voting System’s defamation case related to the 2020 presidential election. His team’s work led to Fox News’ historic $787.5 million settlement with Dominion.
He pledged to “make good use of legal advice when needed, without effectively delegating major decisions to outside lawyers.”
“Our kids get only one shot at their education,” the running mates say. They believe the Board of Ed can do more in terms of charting broad strategy, exercising rigorous oversight over the administration, ensuring transparency and accountability, and providing guidance to minimize conflict.
“Recent events also underscore a critical need to safeguard all Westport Public School employees,” they say.
“We believe immediate, decisive acction is necessary to implement clear policies and procedures that protect our students and staff. The current Board’s inaction on these serious, yet solvable, issues is unacceptable.”
(Click here for information on the Democratic Town Committee. Click here for information on the Republican Town Committee. For information on the primary campaign, email harris.shackelford@gmail.com)
For months, Westporters have wondered about the incidents that led to the non-renewal of Staples High School boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense, by superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
A few details emerged during the coach’s appeal hearing in May, before the Board of Education.
But many other details were not made public. Scarice and/or the mediator for the Board objected to 7 witnesses, and dozens of emails and other evidence. The mediator also objected to every attempt by Oost-Lievense’s attorney to introduce information that, she said, would prove that the non-renewal was “arbitrary and capricious.”
Much of that information is contained in a lawsuit brought by Oost-Lievense, against the Board of Education. It was filed in Stamford Superior Court.
Russell Oost-Lievense
Oost-Lievense levels several charges against the BOE, including violation of his rights during the appeal.
His complaint details a 2022 incident, in which the coach addressed bullying by freshman and junior varsity players.
It also describes in detail an incident before the 2024 season, during a team-building retreat; Oost-Lievense’s handling of it; a complaint filed nearly 2 months later about it; and the post-season banquet that resulted in a charge of “insubordination” against the coach.
Oost-Lievense’s suit also includes information about false allegations made against him at a public BOE meeting; the roles of the Board’s “mediator” and their regular attorney, who at the appeal hearing represented the superintendent, Staples principal and athletic director; exclusion of evidence and witnesses; conduct of the BOE during the hearing; alleged conflicts of interest by 2 members, and more.
Oost-Lievense is seeking damages for loss of income, reputational harm, emotional distress, punitive damages — and a reversal of the non-renewal decision, or a fair appeal process.
For several months, Chris O’Dell tried to get a response to the non-renewal of his contract as Staples High School boys freshman soccer coach, by superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
O’Dell was ready for a Board of Education hearing on 4 dates, in March, April and June. Each time, the board balked.
Finally, 3 weeks ago, Scarice agreed to meet. Unknown to O’Dell, the superintendent recorded their conversation.
Chris O’Dell
The freshman coach raised that issue this morning, in the public comment portion of the BOE meeting.
“I won’t be bullied, embarrassed or blackmailed to not call out this abhorrent behavior,” O’Dell told the board.
After O’Dell’s 2 minutes were up, Scarice responded. He told the BOE that while the meeting was supposed to be confidential, he felt the need to tape it due to numerous “false statements” circulating about the case.
“Even if he felt he had to record what he said, he should have let me know,” O’Dell told “06880” after the board meeting. “What he did was completely unethical.”
The Board has offered one new date for O’Dell’s non-renewal hearing: July 23.
The coach told the board that it conflicts with a family vacation.
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