Tag Archives: Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice

Scarice: Update On School Calendar, Today’s Closure

Posted on March 3, 2026 | 15 comments

Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice says:

After a frustrating morning, I want to share an update following today’s weather-related school closure, and explain the steps we’re taking to protect the end of the school year calendar.

Recommendations to End Student School Calendar on June 18

I will make 2 recommendations to the Board of Education, so that the student school calendar ends on June 18.

To keep the school year on track, I will recommend that the Board of Education take action at a short, 1-item meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. to:

  • Reduce the student calendar from 182 to 180 school days, and
  • Make Friday, March 20 a regular student school day, moving the scheduled professional development day to Wednesday, June 24.

If approved, this plan would allow:

  • Students to finish the school year on Thursday, June 18 (school is closed Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth.) and
  • No changes to April vacation (barring additional cancellations).

To make sure this adjustment is workable and does not create avoidable disruption I communicated with most bargaining unit leadership (teachers, paraprofessionals, etc.) and First Student Transportation to confirm March 20 can become a student day without complications.

Assuming the Board proceeds with the agenda as planned and approves my recommendation, I will communicate the final decision to families as soon as possible after Thursday’s meeting.

School Closure Decision Today

As an aside, I provided the following information to a media inquiry related to the decision to close today.  I share this information with you in the event you are interested.

“We began with a conference call with meteorologist John Bagioni at 4:10 a.m.  The guidance at this time indicated that precipitation would begin in the 10 a.m.-12 p.m. window, likely on the early side.  It also indicated that the cold air mass was not showing signs of moving out of the area as quickly as originally forecasted.

“I sent a message to families last night to provide prior notice of a possible early dismissal. Given the storm’s timing in the 4:10 a.m. update, an early dismissal would be problematic since it would put buses and drivers on the road during the worst of the snow/ice (early dismissal bus runs are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m). Additionally, given the cold temperatures over the past few days, it was predicted any precipitation would freeze on contact.

“I communicated with our Department of Public Works to determine their capability to treat the roads so that buses and drivers could safely return home between 2:45 and 4:45 p.m., the window of our normal afternoon dismissal runs.

 

 

School buses are an important part of any closure decision. (Photo/Amy Schneider)

“Then the final email update came shortly after 5:30 a.m.  I have pasted the part of the updated forecast from our meteorologist that led to the closure decision:

The overall atmospheric pattern has trended colder, and while much of the initial snow and sleet will likely fall at light intensities, the surge of warmer air at cloud level could allow bursts of moderate snow at times. Periods of snow and sleet will continue into the afternoon, but there should be a tendency for the snow to mix with or change to mainly freezing rain or freezing drizzle during the afternoon.

The immediate I-95 corridor may be able to nudge above freezing this afternoon, but the current cold air mass will only grudgingly moderate, and freezing or sub-freezing temperatures are expected across most of inland CT and interior eastern NY through the daytime period.  And there is some support for freezing rain to continue in some areas well into the evening or early nighttime period.

At that time I decided to close school.

Thank you for your patience.

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Posted in Education, Weather

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Scarice: Apologies For This Morning’s Decision

Posted on February 25, 2026 | 20 comments

Westport Public Schools were open on time today, after a 12-day hiatus due to a professional development day, winter break, and 2 blizzard-related cancellations.

It did not go well. A dawn snowfall made driving and walking treacherous.

Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice has done something rare in the school cancellation/delay/carry-on-as-usual world: He has taken ownership for the decision.

And apologized. He says:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I regret not calling for a delay, and the resulting difficulty and hardship this caused many of our families, faculty, and staff.

While I rely on professional guidance to inform these early-morning calls, the responsibility is mine.

This morning’s drive to school. (Photo/Dayle Brownstein)

Some families have asked what information I had at 4 a.m., so I want to share it to give context of the decision-making, not to offer excuses. The responsibility for the call is mine.

At that time, our consulting meteorologist indicated that data suggested the likelihood of a coating to 1 inch of snow along the shoreline, which led to regular openings for all neighboring shoreline districts.

In addition, Public Works expressed a high level of confidence that roads had been heavily salted over the past several days and crews were prepared. Based on this information, I made the decision to start on time.

Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.

In hindsight, a 2-hour delay would have been the better decision for students, staff and families. I am sorry for the difficulty this caused, particularly for those who experienced challenging travel conditions, and for the buses that missed stops or ran excessively late.

I want to thank everyone who stepped in across the district to support student arrivals and classrooms as faculty arrived. I also want to thank our buildings and maintenance teams for clearing and salting our lots, and our bus drivers for their professionalism this morning.

Thank you for your patience, your partnership, and for taking care on the roads today.

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Posted in Education, Weather

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Westport Schools Announce Snow Day — 2026 Style

Posted on January 25, 2026 | 13 comments

Back in the day, my generation learned about snow days by listening to the radio.

Westport’s WMMM and Bridgeport’s WICC would go through the list.

It was alphabetical — and agonizing.

Ansonia Public Schools. Bridgeport public schools. Darien public schools. Even Our Lady of Fatima, wherever that was.

Who cared? What about Westport?!

Sometimes they’d be closed. Sometimes they wouldn’t. It was a crapshoot.

Then came a more high-tech method: emails and voicemails.

Still, it was a crapshoot. Longtime superintendent of schools Elliot Landon made it a point of pride to keep Westport schools open.

“Today is Monday, January 26. The Westport Public Schools will be open!” he cackled.

It didn’t matter that schools from here to Buffalo were closed. Suck it up!

Former superintendent of schools Elliot Landon. He is probably smiling because he just announced that schools would be open.

But this is 2026. Social media is everywhere. High school students make full-length documentaries; 8-year-olds create Instagram reels.

So, to announce tomorrow’s snow day — which there was little doubt about, from Friday’s predictions on — Westport Public Schools officials got creative.

Assistant superintendent John Bayers headed to Long Lots Elementary School. He consulted with Leo the Lion — the mascot. They punted.

The decision was left to Long Lots’ staff: teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians, and the school resource officer.

Click here to see their announcement. 

So kids: Sleep in!

You don’t have to wake up at 6 a.m., to listen to the radio.

Or the superintendent’s voice.

Screenshot, from the Westport Public Schools video.

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Posted in Education, Looking back, Media, Weather

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Board Of Ed Eyes Facilities Budget

Posted on January 23, 2026 | 4 comments

Presentations for the proposed 2026-27 school budget concluded last night, at Staples High School. “06880” journalist John H. Palmer reports:

The Board of Education mulled over $7.63 million in spending plans for facilities and grounds at the town’s 8 schools.

The $7.63 million projection for the 2026-2027 school year is about $134,000, (1.8%) more than the current year’s projection of $7.5 million, according to chief financial officer Elio Longo. The rise owes mostly to electricity costs, which have increased by about 10%.

He said that the town historically negotiates fixed contracts for 2-3 years at a time.

“The Board of Education has managed the risk associated with electricity supply, rate, and volatility by contracting a fixed rate to December 2027,” according to the budget summary provided.

“This mitigation strategy was a group purchase collaboration with the Town of Westport and other municipalities/school districts.”

Longo touted the accomplishments of the previous year, explaining that 211 building and grounds projects were completed in the spring and summer of 2025, and 145 during the winter.

The new fieldhouse floor at Staples was installed under budget, he said, while Saugatuck Elementary School and Kings Highway School both had parking lots paved over.

Moving forward, the district looks to add a new position — assistant director of facilities and security — for roughly $130,000. That person would assist the current director and “strengthen operational oversight, increase departmental capacity, and ensure the district remains positioned to manage both daily facility operations and the growing demands of capital and security initiatives,” Longo said.

Utilities costs, which include water and sewer as well as gas and electricity, have remained relatively steady at a 3-year average of $3.1 million. Costs in fiscal year 2026 were about $3.2 million, while 2027 is projected at just under $3.5 million. General maintenance costs were expected to remain steady at a $1.9 million average over three years.

As for school building maintenance projections for 2026-2027, $85,000 is projected for Coleytown Elementary School to replace an aging and obsolete ventilator as well as a failing sewer ejection pump.

Coleytown Elementary School

Saugatuck School and Bedford Middle School are both slated to receive a JACE main control system. The electronic system connects lighting, security and HVAC systems and provides advanced integration for smart buildings, managing systems, and enabling data visualization through a web browser. The total cost for installation in the 2 school buildings is estimated to be around $555,000.

Staples High School will get $50,000 of updates, including a new dehumidifier in the library for $10,000, and an epoxy floor installation in the field house pool hobby for $20,000.

Westport’s school board launched the 2026-27 budget season January 9. Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarise proposed a 5.48% increase over last year’s budget.

If adopted as presented, that would amount to just over an $8 million increase over the $150 million 2025-26 budget. The budget total represents $282,000 less than administrators requested last year. Most of those cuts were for books and equipment.

Among the notable items in the proposed budget:

  • The district expects to enroll about 5,251 students next year.
  • Health insurance costs for the district’s roughly 1,000 employees will increase by about 15%, from $22.5 million to about $25.9 million, nearly a 15 percent increase. This expenditure will keep the bottom-line increase to about two-and-a-quarter percent, as opposed to 3.24% without the increase.
  • About $95,000 will be allocated for athletic uniforms for sports teams at Staples. In the past, parents or booster clubs generally bore these costs.

If all goes according to schedule, the Board of Ed will vote to approve the budget proposal later this month, or early February. The next 2 weeks of meetings will focus on specific questions that board members will want answered before the approval vote.

“There’s not really many changes to this budget,” said board chair Lee Goldstein.

The Board of Finance then has until late April to conduct workshops and make any changes, before the budget goes to the Representative Town Meeting for final adoption in May or June.

(“06880” — Westport’s hyper-local blog — covers the town budget process, from now through adoption this spring. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Economy, Education, Local politics

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Scarice: Update On Coleytown Elementary Incident

Posted on November 3, 2025 | 4 comments

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice offers this update on today’s incident, involving a reported threat at Coleytown Elementary  School:

At approximately 7:45 a.m., the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 text message reporting a bomb threat to Coleytown Elementary School.

Shortly thereafter, the Westport Police Department contacted district administration. We immediately implemented our established safety protocols, which is particularly challenging during morning transportation runs.

By 8:15 a.m., a message was sent to Coleytown Elementary families notifying them of a 2-hour delayed start while the WPD, supported by the Stamford Police Bomb Squad and their explosive detection K9 unit, conducted a search of the building.

During this time, staff and students who were already on site were safely relocated to Coleytown Middle School, in addition to any buses in route.  As a precaution, Coleytown Middle School was briefly placed under a shelter-in-place directive while the investigation was underway.

By 9:10 a.m., the WPD and their Stamford partners cleared the building, confirming that no explosive devices were found. Coleytown Elementary was deemed safe, and normal operations will resume, with students expected to arrive between 10:45 and 11:00 a.m. The CMS shelter-in-place was lifted.

The incident remains under investigation by the Westport Police Detective Bureau.

I want to express my deep appreciation for the professionalism and swift coordination of the WPD, the leadership of our building administrators, and the dedication of our faculty and support staff, whose actions ensured the safety of everyone involved.

I also want to commend our students, who responded calmly, respectfully, and with great maturity, reflecting the care and preparedness that define our school community.

While deeply troubling, our prior experiences, such as previous “swatting” incidents, have made us well-prepared to respond quickly and effectively, as was demonstrated this morning.

While any such threat is unsettling, today’s events clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of our emergency response protocols, the strength of our partnership with the WPD, and the remarkable composure of our staff, students, and building administrators.

Thank you for your continued trust, cooperation, and support.

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Posted in Education, Police

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Staples Smartphone Ban Begins Soon

Posted on October 10, 2025 | 2 comments

In June of 2024, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice recommended that Westport Public Schools move to a smartphone-free environment.

It’s already in place in the middle and elementary schools. On November 5 — the start of the second quarter — the ban begins at Staples High School.

Last night, the Board of Education — and students, parents and the rest of the public — heard details of the plan the BOE had asked the school to develop. An implementation committee included administrators, teachers and students.

Catherine Campagnino reports:

Scarice said that the new policy — in which phones must be put in lockers — “takes the burden off the teacher.” Students will have an extra 5 minutes each morning to go to their lockers — which are spread throughout the sprawling school — and another 5 minutes at the end of the day to retrieve them.

The extra time will come from slicing 1 minute off each class, and reducing the Connections period from twice a week to once.

Smartwatches and wireless headphones are included in the new policy. The goal is to limit as many technological distractions as possible.

Phones, watches, earbuds are all included in the Staples ban.

Teachers support the change, Scarice said. Social studies instructor David Willick noted that in a survey, 70% support it.

Math teacher and Westport Education Association president Stacey Delmhorst added, “The general feeling of the classroom has changed dramatically.” She praised the “extremely collaborative process” that led to the next stage.

One key to the plan was getting consensus from teachers and students. A working group will continue to meet throughout the year, to monitor its effectiveness.

An interim step — phone pockets in classes — has been “a great segue” to the next step, assistant principal Micah Lawrence said. Connections periods have been used to help students “learn the importance of face-to-face interactions.”

He was one of 4 assistant principals who spoke in favor of the plan. Christine Cincotta — favoring “restored focus in the classroom” — noted that the ban’s effectiveness depends on consequences.

Students caught with a smartphone will speak with an assistant principal. A parent must then come to get the phone, or give consent for the AP to return it to the student.

First-time offenders will get 1 detention; second-timers, 2. A suspension would follow the third offense.

AP Patrick Micinilio cited one initial problem: Because so few students used lockers since the building opened in 2005, 600 of the 1,850 lockers were inoperable. All have been fixed.

Staples’ lockers are large. They range from the culinary kitchens near the pool, to the furthest reaches of the third floor. Until now, they have seldom been used.

When the discussion was opened to BOE comments, Abby Tolan wondered about the effect on students with disabilities or medical issues, who may rely on phones for a variety of reasons.

That will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Scarice said it has not been an issue in Wilton, which imposed a similar ban last year.

After Kevin Christie asked about students who use smartphones for schoolwork. Scarice suggested “getting creative” — for example, buying iPads for art classes, and cameras for science classes. Students can also check out video cameras from the library.

A big change is coming soon to Staples High School.

Board of Education student representative Souleye Kebe offered a different view. The senior’s informal survey showed that 90% of students oppose the ban (though 35% acknowledge it would be good for students).

Only 3 of the 40 students he spoke with said they would put their phones in lockers. However, most said they would not take them out of their backpacks, because of fear of getting caught.

Kebe thought a “better habit” is to allow students to learn that simply having a phone on hand does not mean it has to be used.

Scarice disagreed, calling it “too much of an urge.”

One major issue, brought up by BOE student representative Anwara Olasewere, is that students who keep phones in their backpacks may use them in bathrooms. There is no plan in the policy to check lockers or backpacks for compliance.

Board of Education student representatives (from left): Souleye Kebe and Anwara Olasawere.

During the public comment session, math teacher Lenny Klein admitted he had been “dead wrong” about the policy. The current classroom pocket plan was working, he said, noting that it is nice to hear students talking with each other.

“It works for learning, it works for students, and it works for Staples,” Klein said.

Kate Bulkeley — co-president of the class, with Kebe — spoke about the lack of an exemption for seniors, who have spent 3 years without a ban.

“We are allowed to drive a car and vote, but not have our phone,” she said. She wondered if seniors could use phones during free periods, with an ID to prove their grade.

Math teacher Maggie Gomez said hat when she gave a questionnaire to seniors about the phone pockets, most said it helped them focus, and motivated them to get their work done.

Art teacher Carla Eichler observed that students are interacting more now — including freshmen with seniors.

Italian teacher Louisa D’Amore said that she has always made her son — a junior — put his phone in her desk. If he can go more than 2 yeas without a phone, she concluded, every other student can too.

(“06880” frequently covers education issues — and everything else of importance in town. If you appreciate our work, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Posted in Education, Staples HS, technology

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Robert Harrington Launches Write-In Race For Board Of Ed

Posted on September 26, 2025 | 15 comments

The Westport Board of Education race — already interesting — just got even more so.

This morning, Robert Harrington joined 7 others. He is a write-in candidate. 

The incumbent — elected 4 years ago to the Board — was not endorsed for re-election by the Republican Town Committee in July. Those nods went to incumbent Dorie Hordon, plus Michelle Hopson, Andy Frankel and Kaitlin Zucaro. 

The Democratic Town Committee endorsed incumbent Abby Tolan and Lauren Karpf, deputy moderator of the Representative Town Meeting. Last month Karpf left the race, to seek re-election to the RTM. The DTC did not to replace her on the ticket.

Two other Democrats — Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris — are running as well. They lack the party’s endorsement, but gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot, on the party’s line.

Board of Ed members serve staggered terms, so only 4 seats will be contested in November. Voters can select 4 candidates.

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 — or 3, plus Harrington — could get the voters’ nod. 

In launching his campaign, Harrington writes: 

After four years serving on the Westport Board of Education, I believe our schools deserve leaders who will ask hard questions, not simply go along with decisions. I have worked to be a good board member by showing up, asking questions, and putting students and families first. I would like to ask Westport voters to give me an opportunity to serve another four years.

My pitch is simple: fewer tough questions and less accountability if I’m gone. Easier for the board chair or the superintendent — worse for Westport.

This year I am seeking reelection as an independent. Four years ago, I ran as a Republican alongside my running mate, Dorie Hordon. I never hid my party affiliation or apologized for it — in fact, during that campaign I even printed my own yard signs to make sure “Republican” was included. Voters deserve transparency.

How many signs will carry the word “Republican” during this local election?

A new road sign. (Photo/Robert Harrington)

During the Republican selection process earlier this year, I was asked if I could “tone it down.” I politely declined. My outspokenness on local issues — and towards my local party — may have cost me a party nomination, but I believe it’s exactly what Westport needs on the Board of Education.

I was preparing to step away from the Board. But two events changed my mind:

  1. Superintendent contract and pay increase. The Board voted to extend the superintendent’s contract early, and give him a 4% raise — larger than what our nurses and custodians received. That was a bad look for both the board and the superintendent.
  2. The Staples soccer coach hearings. Earlier this month, a second non-renewal hearing was held. I have no problem with a superintendent changing a coach — that can happen for many reasons. I do have a problem when a false narrative is created, and someone’s character is unfairly trashed. The board wasn’t allowed to see all the evidence or hear many witnesses, and I was surprised to learn the superintendent may have lied under oath about offering a coach his job back.

Robert Harrington (left), at the May Board of Education appeal hearing with attorney Beatrice Franklin, and former Staples High soccer coaches Russell Oost-Lievense and Chris O’Dell.

Over the past four years I’ve made accountability real in several ways:

  • Pushing back when the Republican slate simply wanted to replace Lee Goldstein as chair and Democrats as the majority, without offering real change.
  • Questioning and voting against the superintendent’s pay raise.
  • Demanding that investigations carried out by the administration are more thorough and transparent.
  • Pushing early and hard on both redistricting and ways to reduce our bus transportation spend — even when there was little to no initial support from the rest of the board.
  • Excited to be moving ahead with a new Long Lots Elementary School — but also advocating strongly for a New Coleytown, and prioritizing the need to modernize Kings Highway

That’s the kind of board member I’ve tried to be — independent, transparent, and accountable.

Westport should expect more from its Board of Education. It’s wrong to give the superintendent a rubber stamp or to fail to hold him accountable.

To be clear: Westport schools get many things right, and those successes should be celebrated. But a truly strong district and board should also have the confidence to be critical when necessary.

As an independent I am also happy to advocate for people from both parties.

I won’t pretend I wasn’t disappointed when my party chose to support my former running mate, Dorie Hordon, but not me. Admitting this may look weak, but it would be dishonest to say otherwise. I have enjoyed working with Dorie. We didn’t agree on everything, but I respect her enormously and will enthusiastically vote for her again.

Robert Harrington and Dorie Hordon at last weekend’s LobsterFest. (Photo/Jodi Harris)

I was sad to see Democrat, Lauren Karpf leave the race for the BOE. I would have strongly supported her. I think the fresh Democrat voices of Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford will also bring real change to this board.


Also at LobsterFest (from left): Stephen Shackelford, Robert Harrington, Jodi Harris.

This willingness to choose the best candidates and not just pick the party color represents who I am.

If voters give me the chance to serve again, I will continue to ask the questions that need to be asked, and work to make sure Westport’s schools serve every student and every family in our community.

I would be honored if Westport voters would consider writing in Robert Harrington—whether on a mail-in ballot or on Election Day.

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Posted in Education, Local politics

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Board Of Ed Affirms Soccer Coach’s Non-Renewal

Posted on September 12, 2025 | 12 comments

Today’s Board of Education hearing involving a Staples High School boys soccer coach’s contract took less time than the previous 5-1 vote, in May: 8 hours, not 14.

But the result was the same. This time by 4-2, the Board affirmed superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s decision to not rehire longtime freshman coach Chris O’Dell.

Members Lee Goldstein, Dorie Hordon, Neil Phillips and Abby Tolan voted to support Scarice’s decision. Robert Harrington and Jill Dillon voted against it. Kevin Christie recused himself, and was not at the day-long session in Town Hall.

Christie told “06880” that he and his family have personal connections to the Westport and Staples soccer programs.

Noting that the Board of Education “effectively serves as judge and jury,” he said, “in a traditional courtroom setting, my connections to the soccer programs would not allow me to serve as a juror.

“Due process does not allow parties to select their own jurors. I will not capitulate to external pressure impacting due process, my integrity, my family, and my decisions as a BOE member. Recusal was, and is, the right decision.”

Board of Education mediator Fred Dorsey, flanked by (from left) Dorie Hordon, chair Lee Goldstein, Neil Phillips, Jill Dillon, Abby Tolan and Robert Harrington. 

O’Dell represented himself, against 2 charges: that he did not report a verbal argument between another assistant coach at a pre-season retreat over Labor Day weekend 2024, and that he was insubordinate by attending the post-season banquet the following December.

The freshman coach attempted to make a number of arguments, to prove that Scarice’s decision was “arbitrary and capricious.”

As happened in May — when the BOE heard an appeal by former head coach Russell Oost-Lievense, regarding the same 2 incidents — the Board’s mediator, Fred Dorsey, sustained nearly every objection from Thomas Mooney, the attorney for Scarice, Staples principal Stafford Thomas, and director of athletics VJ Sarullo.

From time to time Dorsey showed O’Dell — who owns a residential design-build firm, and is not a lawyer — a bit of leeway, helping him frame questions and allowing him to ask procedural questions.

Chris O’Dell (center), with his daughter Addison, and former Staples boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense.

Nearly 30 attendees — soccer parents and others interested in the board’s handling of coaches — moved into the lobby twice, while the BOE deliberated in executive session for 45 minutes each time.

O’Dell objected to those sessions, urging the board not to rehash testimony that had already been given in May.

“Arbitrary and capricious is the only thing that matters,” he said. He also defended himself against what he called attacks on his character.

One point of contention was a voicemail from Sarullo to O’Dell, regarding his attendance at the banquet. Sarullo told the coach to call him on the office line he was calling from, or text him.

O’Dell said that Sarullo never responded to his own voicemail in reply. Sarullo replied that O’Dell’s failure to text him showed negligence on his part.

From left: Board of Education attorney Tom Mooney, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, Staples principal Stafford Thomas, Staples athletic director VJ Sarullo. (All photos/Dan Woog)

Scarice testified that O’Dell’s “level of hostility” — along with the recommendation of Sarullo and Thomas — played a role in his non-renewal decision.

The superintendent knew his decision might be divisive. He acknowledged that employment issues are never easy. But he reiterated his belief that he made the right decision in this case.

O’Dell questioned Scarice about his offer in May to bring the coach back, with conditions. The superintendent countered that he had been urged to talk with the coach by community and school members, but that no mediation was offered.

There was discussion too about a phone conversation in which Scarice taped O’Dell, without his knowledge — something Scarice said he had never done with another employee. O’Dell claimed this was evidence of arbitrary and capricious behavior, but Mooney’s objection was sustained.

O’Dell asked Scarice why he had not responded during a BOE meeting in January, when a student alleged that the incident at the retreat included physical abuse. O’Dell said that Scarice already knew that charge was false.

Board policy is to not reply to public comment, Scarice said. However, O’Dell responded, chair Lee Goldstein thanked the student for his testimony, adding “good job.”

O’Dell brought up other situations that he said showed Scarice, Thomas and Sarullo acting arbitrarily and capriciously.

They included a meeting in another town between Sarullo and boys tennis coach Kris Hrisovulos, after his own non-renewal was dismissed on procedural grounds. Sarullo denied O’Dell’s charge that at that meeting, the athletic director apologized to Hrisovulos for the way that situation was handled.

Chris O’Dell

O’Dell also brought up situations — one involving a serious head injury to an opposing player, and another in which a Staples player was bullied by an opponent — in an attempt to show that his actions there were consistent with his handling of the incident at the retreat. Sarullo denied they were similar.

In the end, 7 hours of sometimes heated testimony — and an hour of deliberation by the Board of Education — came down to a final vote.

Like Oost-Lievense in May, the majority affirmed the non-renewal decision.

O’Dell was not there to hear the verdict. He had a practice at Fairfield Warde High School.

This past summer, he and Oost-Lievense were hired to coach soccer in the neighboring town.

Early in the proceedings, Scarice had been asked if was concerned about the safety of players at Warde, under O’Dell and Oost-Lievense.

“I’m not the superintendent of Fairfield,” he replied.

 

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Posted in Education, Local politics, Sports, Staples HS

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Roundup: Soccer Coach Hearing; Library, MoCA, VFW Events …

Posted on September 8, 2025 | 7 comments

Eight months after his contract was not renewed, former Staples High School boys soccer freshman coach Chris O’Dell will finally receive a hearing.

The Board of Education meets this Friday (9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium), to consider his appeal.

In addition to serving nearly 20 years as a freshman and assistant coach, O’Dell is a former Staples captain. He played on the state champion 1993 squad.

O’Dell says, “I am asking and expecting that Board members Lee Goldstein and Dorrie Horden recuse themselves from my hearing. They each have a relationship with the family behind the allegations. It obviously renders them incapable of making an impartial decision in my case.

“I am also asking that Kevin Christie not recuse himself from my hearing. I have only met him once, for 2 minutes at a social function. There is absolutely no reason for Mr. Christie to recuse himself from my hearing.”

Christie did recuse himself from the May BOE appeal hearing by Russell Oost-Lievense. The contract of Staples’ former head coach was also not renewed, by superintendent of school Thomas Scarice. Oost-Lievense has sued the BOE, after they upheld Scarice’s recommendation. 

O’Dell says, “I look forward to this opportunity to clear my name.” In addition to coaching, he owns The O’Dell Group, a design-build collaborative specializing in residential construction.

Chris O’Dell

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The Westport Library’s Verso University — a series of high-level classes, workshops and lectures — opens soon, for the fall “semester.”

A special symposium — “AI and Us” — explores the implications of artificial intelligence across legal, civic, creative, business, healthcare and technological spheres. Multiple perspectives range from policymakers and technologists to journalists and academics. It’s set for Saturday, October 11 (12 noon to 5:30 p.m.). Click here for details, and to register.

Other courses include:

  • “Astrology for the Advanced Beginner” (3 weekly sessions starting Thursday, September 11, 2 to 3 pm).
  • “Ask a Pediatric Specialist” (3 monthly sessions starting Tuesday, September 16, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.).
  • “Grace Farms Art and Architecture Tour” (September 17, 12:45 to 2 p.m.).
  • “Kickoff to Fall: Happy Hour Cooking Class” (September 19, 4 to 5:30 p.m.).
  • “Visual Storytelling: Develop Your Photographic Vision” (3 weekly sessions starting Thursday, October 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m.).

There is a nominal fee for most classes, from $15 to $25 per course. “Ask a Pediatric Specialist is free. Click here, then scroll down to the calendar for more information, and registration.

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“Endless Summer/Forever Friends/Long Live the Arts” — an evening of art, music, food and beverages, and intriguing conversation, all benefiting MoCA CT — is set for Saturday, September 20.

Tickets are $80 for members (gift included), and $100 for non-members (1-year membership included). Click here for more information, and to purchase.

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Board members celebrated Tony McDowell’s retirement as Earthplace executive director this past weekend, at Compo Beach.

The popular administrator stepped down recently, after 12 years at the helm of the environmental and sustainability non-profit.

Earthplace board chair Mo Tooker (far right) reads a proclamation for the town of Westport. Tony McDowell is 2nd from right. (Hat tip and photo/Matthew Mandell)

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Speaking of shoreline celebrations: The Compo Beach Improvement Association held their annual block party yesterday evening.

The weather cleared, and dozens of families celebrated the end of summer (and a bit of quiet to their neighborhood). Old Mill Grocery & Deli — an around-the-corner favorite — catered.

Adults chatted. Kids played. Dogs roamed.

And this scene caught “06880” photographer Laurie Sorensen’s eye:

(Photo/Laurie Sorensen)

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Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department is branching out.

Into comedy.

They’re a sponsor of a September 20 comedy show at VFW Post 399.

The 8 p.m. show is headlined by Sean Donnelly, of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”

Click here for more information, and tickets. (Hat tip: Les Dinkin)

Sean Donnelly

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Heavy equipment is in place at the Compo Beach Soundview parking lot. That’s a staging area for renovation of the tidal gates and pedestrian paths at Sherwood Mill Pond, near Compo Cove.

But before the machines could get going last week, there was one special task: moving the sun.

Brian Suter captured that dramatic moment:

(Photo/Brian Suter)

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Always-observant Johanna Keyser Rossi offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” image, from the Westport Library Riverwalk. She writes:

“This is a first for me: seeing a turtle come out of the water at very low tide, looking in the mud for food. He was eating either a marine worm or a small fish.”

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … speaking of turtles, Mark Volman — co-founder of the pop group with that name — died Friday in Nashville. He was 78, and had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2000. Click here for a full obituary.

(“06880” and you: happy together. “06880” and your support of this hyper-local blog: even happier! Please click here to put a smile on all our faces, with a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you :))

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Staples Soccer Coaches: Next Step In The Saga

Posted on August 5, 2025 | 19 comments

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.

Click here, to read the letters from the 2 coaches.

Russell Oost-Lievense, in front of the Staples High School boys soccer trophy case. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Chris O’Dell (Photo/Richard McColl)

 

 

19 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Sports, Staples HS

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