Politics & Government

State of the Town: Board of Education

Chairman Kimberly Westcott highlights enrollment, accomplishments and financial considerations.

Monday's annual State of the Town Representative Town Meeting heard Board of Education Chair Kimberly Westcott address three key area in Darien education: enrollment, accomplishments and financial considerations.

"It is my pleasure to report to you that the Darien School system is in excellent shape and remains one of the top in the State," Westcott began.

ENROLLMENT:

"The total enrollment including the Pre-K program is 4778 students, up 51 over the prior year and continuing the upward trend since 1990."

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Darien public schools are feeling the pinch as student enrollment continues to rise. According to the board's recent space utilization study, enrollment at the middle and elementary schools has "plateaued," leaving just enough wiggle room to maintain the Board of Education's strict class-size policy.

The real crunch is at the high school. A predicted influx of approximately 100 students in coming years has prompted school officials to come up with creative ways to maximize space on a tight budget and a ticking clock, including a new, four-shift lunch schedule.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

"With 4700 kids trying to do their best you are bound to have many accomplishments. I am proud to report that much has been achieved by our students and Administration in 2009."

For the most part, Darien students scored well on standardized tests, comparing favorably with the town's Educational Reference Group. SATs were particularly strong and rank Darien in the top two districts in Connecticut.

Last year, the Darien High School saw nearly 90 percent of students off to college; of those, 60 percent were accepted into highly competitive schools.

Beyond the context of the classroom, programs like Theatre 308, Blue Wave News and the China Exchange provide DHS students the opportunity to develop and share their talents. Darien athletes continue to outperform the best in the state. Last year, the Blue Wave brought home 10 state titles, four FCIAC titles and 10 FCIAC Divisional Championships.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

"Given difficult times, the goal of the 2009-10 budget was to maintain the core educational program."

Thanks to the "forward planning and hard work" of Director of Facilities and Construction Paul Engemann, facilities remain in good shape. Spending has been restricted to what is necessary for instruction, and of the few, top-priority, major-capital projects, each has been carefully considered.

The district projects a deficit of $490,000 for the current school year, the result of an anticipated decrease in the Special Education Excess Cost reimbursement grant from the State. Stimulus money will help a bit; Darien school district is due to receive $890,000, and the better part of those funds will support special education through 2010-11.

LOOKING AHEAD:

"As we look ahead to 2010-11 again, our focus will be on preserving the core educational program and looking for more efficient ways to do our business."

 

Still to come from State of the Town: Board of Finance Chairman Murry Stegelmann, Vice Chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission Joseph Spain, and  First Selectman David Campbell.


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