Tag Archives: High Point Road

There will be a bell-to-bell ban on smartphones next year at Staples High School.

There is no determination yet on when it will begin. It may or may not include seniors. It probably won’t involve Yondr bags.

All those elements — and many more — will be worked out, by an “implementation committee” of administrators, staff, students and parents.

They may be ready by opening day next fall. They may take longer.

What’s most important, said superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice at last night’s Board of Education meeting, is to get it right.

He has championed a “deliberative process” since first introducing the idea of a ban, and waited to see how Wilton High’s process (initiated this year) worked.

Board members — including the two non-voting students, Calum Madigan Souleye Kebe — agreed on the broad outlines of a ban.

Robert Harrington, who disagrees with Scarice on many issues, praised the superintendent for changing Harrington’s mind

“I work in technology,” Harrington said, “and it’s counterintuitive to me to take technology away.

“But I’ve been swayed by (Scarice’s) vision for the culture at Staples. I hope we move with speed to implement it. I don’t think it’s right to ban phones for seniors, and Yondr bags seem to treat students like children. But I favor the superintendent’s recommendation.”

Voices were far louder earlier in the evening, during discussion of the Board of Education’s vote on Monday to affirm Scarice’s non-renewal of boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense’s contract.

Board of Education members, and their mediator, at Monday’s appeal hearing. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Members Dorie Hordon and Jill Dillon began by explaining their votes, based on their narrow charge to determine whether the superintendent’s decision had been “arbitrary and capricious.”

Hordon called coaching “a privilege, not a right. I understand many people are disappointed. This was a difficult and painful situation. Anyone can reach out to me. I am happy to explain my decision in more detail.”

Olson said, “We followed the policy with the evidence that was presented to us, and the testimony we heard under oath. It was a hard and painful decision, and not made lightly.”

Harrington stressed the importance of all documents and emails — including those that had not been admitted as evidence — being provided to the board. He reiterated his call for the resignation of athletic director VJ Sarullo.

Several members of the public spoke. Steve Shackelford questioned why Sarullo reported a “physical assault” to the Department of Children and Family Services, while testifying under oath that there had not been one.

He added, “This is not going away. This is not a soccer issue. It’s an issue of how all of our coaches and teachers are treated by the administration.

Joan Gillman asked why 8 witnesses — including herself — had not been allowed to testify. “Decisions were made on incomplete evidence. You took away the coach’s right to defend himself,” she told the board. “What were you afraid of?”

There was one surprise during the public comments. Eoghan Scully, whose High Point Road property abuts Staples’ Jinny Parker Field, complained about the sudden locking of a gate through which many students walk to Staples and Bedford Middle School.

Scarice apologized for not answering earlier. He said that, after conversations with the Westport Public School’s risk management personnel, the gates would be locked during the school day.

They will be open, however, at all other times: before and after school, and on weekends.

Jinny Parker Field will be padlocked only during school hours. (Photo/Dave Briggs)

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