By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Funding for two modular classrooms to relieve crowding at Long Lots Elementary School before the school is replaced or renovated was approved Wednesday night.

The Board of Finance passed the $600,000 appropriation in a tight vote after hearing impassioned pleas from educators and parents in favor of the funding, and principled arguments against.

Four weeks earlier, on Jan. 4, the board balked at voting on the $600,000 appropriation, with some members noting space exists in other schools for the extra students.

The day before, the Board of Education approved the modular classroom plan, along party lines. The school board’s Republican members also had raised similar questions about the need for modulars as opposed to moving some students.

The project also won approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission last month.

Wednesday night’s vote by the finance board also was a squeaker, 4-3. But it was not along party lines.

Voting to approve were Democrats Lee Caney and Nancie Dupier, joined by Republicans James Foster and Michael Keller. Voting against were Democrats Brian Stern and Sheri Gordon, and Republican Jay DesMarteau.

Board of Education Chairwoman Lee Goldstein told finance board members that the question was not modulars versus redistricting.

“The question tonight is modulars versus no modulars,” she said.

“My message is simple: In a crowded building, two more classrooms is better than two fewer classrooms …” she said. “It’s a solid, short-term solution.”

Many others, including Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice and Long Lots administrators and staff, also spoke in favor.

Long Lots PTA Co-Presidents Paula Soto and Julie Gartin read a letter signed by all eight of Westport’s PTAs endorsing the modulars’ appropriation, and said almost 200 of the school’s parents signed a letter supporting the funding.

Long Lots parent Brett Gibson said that to the children, their school is their town.

“Just as none of us here would like to be asked, just move one town over, just create a little space, it’s good for the town, it’s a little cheaper …,” he said. “It might seem trivial, this is a big deal to them. A very big deal.”

Robert Harrington, a Republican member of the Board of Education, said he was speaking for himself, not the board, in opposition. He said he agrees with most of the board’s initiatives, and noted his four children were Long Lots students. The school is near and dear to his heart, he said.

“To come here and disagree with an appropriation request is something I don’t do lightly,” he said.

“What worries me is the parity,” he said. “We have parity across our five elementary schools, we have great teachers, we have parity across our elementary schools with culture, we have parity in terms of outcomes and achievements, but clearly, we do not have parity when it comes to the building, and when it comes to the use of space.

“And by permitting these portables we’re just going to be ensuring that goes on for longer,” Harrington said.

Parents also spoke, including one mother who said her son is shyer than most, and just beginning to make friends at Long Lots. The thought of him being uprooted and sent to another school if the modulars weren’t approved was distressing.

Caney: Disappointed that school officials can’t do better

Caney, the finance chairman, spoke last. He had three children go through Long Lots, and made it clear his was a reluctant vote in favor.

“We have capacity in other schools,” he said. “To say you can’t get something done in 18 months — 18 months, I see very smart administrators here, I’ve gone to the Board of Ed meetings, we have lots of smart people. We can hire consultants; we can get it done. I think there is no excuse for having what we’ve heard today from the teachers and the administrators about the overcrowdedness at Long Lots. It’s terrible, it shouldn’t be like that, when we have other schools …

“I’m just very disappointed in the administration that we can’t find a better solution.

“I really don’t want to vote for this, I think it’s a terrible result,” he said. “I think it’s going to elongate the problem … but I can’t punish the teachers, and I can’t punish the students.”

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.