Editor’s note: following is an opinion submitted by Westporter Rosa Balestrino.
As Westport voters head to the polls this November, the conversation often centers on budgets, infrastructure, affordable housing, traffic, and the town’s future. One critical topic that rarely receives equal attention is special education—an area that affects roughly 15% of our students and represents over 20% of the district’s $150 million school budget. Nearly 800 children in Westport receive special education services. In local elections often decided by a few dozen votes, families of children with special needs represent a vital and engaged part of our community. Yet, few Board of Education candidates to date have explicitly included special education in their mission statements.
Special education is not a niche concern—it is a cornerstone of our community’s strength. When designed and managed effectively, it benefits not only students with disabilities but all residents. It helps young people achieve their educational and personal goals, build independence, and contribute productively to society.
Educational Excellence and Community Value
A strong special education program sustains Westport’s long-standing reputation for excellence in public education. The town’s property values are closely tied to the quality of its schools. By ensuring appropriate staffing, funding, and leadership in special education, we protect both our students’ futures and our community’s economic stability. Cutting corners signals declining quality that reverberates beyond the classroom. Administrators overseeing special education must uphold fairness, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accountability. Decisions should be guided by evidence-based practices, input from parents and experts, and regular evaluations of program effectiveness. Oversight of consultants and service providers, periodic audits, and continuous improvement processes should be standard. Legal and procurement practices should be reviewed periodically to ensure cost efficiency and that educational—not legal—priorities guide decision-making.
Fiscal Responsibility Through Local Investment
Strong in-district special education programs are also the most fiscally prudent approach. Out-of-district placements for students with complex needs can be both costly and unpredictable. By investing in in-district programs, staff training, and appropriate support systems, Westport can provide high-quality education while maintaining budget stability.
Expanding in-house expertise, establishing ombudsmen to facilitate communication and dispute resolution, and commissioning independent audits of special education programs can help manage costs responsibly. These steps also keep taxpayer dollars working within our community while improving student outcomes.
Inclusion Benefits All Students
A robust special education system enriches the learning environment for every student. Inclusive classrooms promote empathy, collaboration, and respect—skills essential for success in higher education and the workforce. When students learn alongside peers with diverse needs, they gain a deeper understanding of difference and develop a stronger sense of community. These are values Westport families prize and expect from a world-class education system.
A Measure of Our Character
Ultimately, our approach to special education reflects Westport’s character. How we care for our most vulnerable citizens defines our integrity as a town. Investing in special education is an investment in dignity, equity, and human potential. It sends a clear message that Westport values every child and that our community’s success is built on inclusion, compassion, and opportunity for all.
A Call to Voters
As we evaluate candidates for the Board of Education, Board of Finance, First Selectman’s Office, and Representative Town Meeting, let’s look beyond standard campaign issues. Ask candidates about their vision for special education—regardless of the limits of their direct authority over it. Do they view it as a cost to control or as an investment to cultivate?
The answer matters deeply. The future of Westport’s students, schools, and community depends on it. Let’s send a clear message that in Westport, every child matters—and that a strong, inclusive education system is not a luxury, but our shared legacy.
Rosa Balestrino
Ludlow Road
Westport
Rosa – thanks for your great article.
We spoke about this at last week’s Pre-Debate “Conversation” boasted by LWV. We also highlighted Special Education as a Top Three focus / priority for The “Write-in Robert Harrington” campaign earlier today.
See a highlight below – it was in response to a Republican mailing to voters. Our campaign highlighted our top 3 priorities:
“What a strange closing argument from the Republican Board of Ed slate: Last week, their focus was attacking Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford over their successful fundraising. This week, they’ve offered a confused op-ed explaining how complicated the election supposedly is.
Meanwhile, the “Write-in Robert Harrington” campaign is much simpler – our Top Three Priorities are:
1️⃣ Ask tough questions and drive accountability.
2️⃣ Prioritize Facilities — beyond Long Lots.
3️⃣ Rethink how we handle Special Education services — we need a smarter, more effective approach.
What we’re doing today in Special Education services clearly needs improvement. While WPS Special Education is working for many families (and we celebrate and our proud of this) – we hearing from too many parents that are really struggling with the system.
My biggest takeaway from listening carefully over the past four years – and from our BOE email inbox – is something in the system is NOT working for enough students and families. There is way too much frustration within the system for this to be a few isolated issues. These are NOT one-offs.
We can and should do better.
I will work with other BOE members to prioritize establishing a stronger feedback loop for parents and support creating an Ombudsman for Special Education. Too many parents and students feel isolated and without access to the services most appropriate for their needs. Too often, these situations become legal disputes — costly, time-consuming, and distracting from what the district should be focused on: helping students succeed.
I will advocate for prioritizing expanding in-district Special Education services where possible — both to improve quality and to better serve students. In many cases, this also makes stronger financial sense. The cost of Special Education transportation must be addressed and managed more effectively as well.
I look forward to sharing more on this important issue in the coming week.
— Robert Harrington
Write-in Candidate for Board of Education
Thank you, Rosa! As the parent of a child with an IEP in the Westport schools and a long-time member and former chair of the Special Education PTA, I could not agree more. Our kids can grow and learn in ways that will both dazzle and benefit our community.
It was wonderful to hear so many of our candidates for BOE cite special education as a priority at last night’s debate. I welcome the new voices. Special education is, by definition, complicated. That is why it provides an “individualized” program and why kids have different experiences in our schools. We need more hands and innovation, especially in the intensive resource program.
I look forward to the Board exploring new approaches, and I hope it brings change and peace to families who are struggling. Truly. I have had those sleepless nights myself.
The person I have heard articulate the beauty of our students, the challenges they face, and the opportunities for improvement for the duration of my 8 years on SpEd PTA was Abby Tolan. She is a former special education teacher, a parent of kids with learning differences, and is open about her own neurodivergence, ADHD.
Abby and other parents pushed the administration on our literacy approach–and we have seen improvement there. I have seen her push them on staffing as well. The accountability that so many candidates want to see from our superintendent? Abby demanded that of the administration on SpEd PTA. And she has consistently asked “What about the SpEd kids?” as she has served on the BOE.
Special education is not only a campaign promise for Abby, it is who she is. It is most apparent in the dignity and joy she brings to her interactions with our kids. My daughter, charming as she is, can be conversationally elusive; but Abby puts in the effort to connect, not for show, but because she likes our kids and understands how much they have to offer.
I have said the following a few times in this campaign, and I hope Rosa agrees: one in seven kids in our district has an IEP, one in seven Board members should be a special education expert. That is Abby, not only in her educational, professional and personal experience, but in her heart.
When we lift up our most vulnerable children, we lift up all children, it’s what makes Westport stronger and more beautiful as a whole. But we must do this together through compassion, action and community, because Westport cares 💙