By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT–When the curtains come down on Newsies, Coleytown Middle School’s 

latest production at the end of this month, they will literally come down.

The school board last Thursday unanimously accepted a $9,388 gift from Coleytown Company, an organization made up largely of parents, to replace and install the auditorium curtains.

Elio Longo, chief financial officer for the district, said the replacement will be done prior to the end of this school year.

“It’s a very generous gift. We are super grateful,” Board Chair Lee Goldstein said before the vote was taken.

Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice said the gift reflects an ongoing commitment to enhancing the student experience, promoting safety and supporting the performing arts at the middle school.

A major renovation at Coleytown Middle a few years ago did not involve an auditorium upgrade. The district has since taken action to upgrade the auditorium’s sound equipment.

Ben Frimmer, producing director of Coleytown Company which he started 30 years ago, said like any frequently used facility, auditorium equipment naturally experiences wear and tear over time.

“Stage curtains, in particular, are heavily used and are an important part of both the safety and functionality of the space,” Frimmer said. “Replacing them ensures that the auditorium remains a safe, fully functional, and professional environment for student performances, assemblies, and school events.”

Frimmer said the previous front curtain had been in place for many years and had reached the point where replacement was appropriate.

There was no single fundraiser tied to the project. Rather, Frimmer said he has  taken a long-term approach to maintaining and improving the spaces by setting aside a portion of ticket sales each year specifically for upgrades.

Some of the funds helped enhance the sound system and provide new spotlights to the scenic track system.

 Coaching stipends

The school board also accepted booster club gifts totaling $76,294 to cover stipends to pay assistant coaches for baseball, lacrosse, boys outdoor track, rugby and girls tennis.

Staples Athletic Director VJ Sarullo said the additional coaching positions help ensure student safety and provide appropriate supervision in light of high participation rates.

This spring, about 400 boys and 300 girls are expected to play sports, about 100 students more than two years ago.

The added assistant coaches are to work alongside head coaches and more than a dozen assistant coaches funded by the district, according to information supplied to the board.

Linda Conner Lambeck

^{_{Linda Conner Lambeck covers education for Westport Journal. She was a reporter for more than four decades at the Connecticut Post and other Hearst publications. She has covered education throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties. She is a proud member of the Education Writers Association.}}