Darien BOE Urged To Reconsider Program, Bring In Norwalk Students

DARIEN, CT — Days after a majority of Darien Board of Education members voted against the district participating in an Open Choice program with Norwalk schools, State Sen. Bob Duff of Norwalk and others are urging board members to reconsider the decision.

During a meeting Tuesday, the board voted 5-4 against entering into the program for the 2022-2023 school year following previous discussions and debate.

Duff, along with fellow Democrats Sen. Pat Billie Miller of Stamford and Sen. Will Haskell of Westport, said Friday in a statement sent to Patch they were calling on the board to reconsider the program.

According to the senators, Open Choice allows urban students to attend public schools in nearby suburban towns, and enrollments are offered by school districts on a space-available basis in grades K-12.

If the program had been adopted Tuesday, it would have allowed 16 kindergartners from Norwalk to attend Darien's four elementary schools this fall.

"Open Choice is a win-win," the statement reads, "allowing both urban and suburban students to gain exposure to new communities and experiences."

The senators noted they were proud to expand the program to include Norwalk during the last legislative session, opening the door for students to attend public schools in surrounding towns, including Darien.

"Strengthening the understandings of diversity and inclusion among our young people cannot be done with just a mission statement," the statement reads. "Diversity and inclusion are lived, not just promised. We call on the Darien Board of Education to reconsider their rejection of the Open Choice program and do what is best for both Darien and Norwalk students."

The senators further went on to cite a U.S. Census report that notes 91 percent of the population in Darien is white, while other races make up less than 10 percent collectively.

"The Open Choice program helps to diversify the classrooms which leads to better education outcomes for students," the statement reads. "Young children benefit from different perspectives and a variety of backgrounds in the classroom. Without a program such as Open Choice, young children lose out on opportunities that make for a successful future."

In an added comment emailed to Patch, Duff said he was not worried about Norwalk children in light of the decision.

"I'm disappointed by the vote...and I know many Darien parents are as well," Duff said. "I firmly believe Norwalk kids will be fine in the end. It's Darien kids that I worry about. Norwalk's already a diverse community. Darien is not."

Requests for comment from First Selectwoman Monica McNally, Superintendent Alan Addley and Darien Board of Education Chair David Dineen were not immediately returned Friday.

See also: Darien Board Of Education Votes Against Open Choice Program

During Tuesday's meeting, Dineen, Secretary Sara Parent and board members Julie Best and Tara Ochman all voted in favor of the program, while Vice Chair Jill McCammon and board members John Sini, David Brown, Dennis Maroney and Tara Wurm voted against it.

The senators' statement noted all votes against the program came from Republican board members, while the four votes in favor came from three Democratic board members and one Republican.

Those who voted in favor of the program echoed sentiments that the board had a responsibility to give the program a try, citing district-wide goals concerning diversity and inclusion, while some board members who voted against it expressed concerns about timing and costs.

Addley in particular delivered an impassioned plea to board members, urging them to vote in favor of the program and insisting now was the right time for it.

"Our alumni and current students have spoken passionately about the importance of recognizing, increasing and celebrating diversity," Addley said during the meeting. "This is our opportunity to show our students that we are serious about supporting their voices, that we're serious about change and that we're serious about supporting diversity and the goals of the strategic plan."

Following the vote, Dineen noted the program would likely be considered again.

"This program may come around again," Dineen said during the meeting. "I think there's a consensus of the board that would like to continue to look at this program and move it forward."