Stamford Times: Toquam Decision Delayed

BOE halts redistricting; seeks to come up with new plan (Thursday, 4 p.m.)
By A.J. O'CONNELL March 20, 2008

STAMFORD — The board of education halted their redistricting effort and said on Wednesday night that they would reconsider the closing of Toquam Magnet School.

The decision comes after Mayor Dannel Malloy cut funds from his capital budget that would have gone towards the construction of the new intradistrict magnet school. Malloy this month cut $2.8 million from his capital budget for furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) for the new Intradistrict Environmental Magnet School, effectively derailing the board of education's plans to open the new magnet school in September of 2009. Malloy said he hoped the cut would stimulate discussion, and cause the board to spend more time developing a comprehensive redistricting plan.

On Wednesday that is exactly what happened.

Malloy, a non-voting member of the board of education, told the board at a redistricting committee meeting that more dialogue with the parents, the state and with the community is needed before the board can decide which school to close.

"Taking up any of the remaining motions would be a mistake at this time," he told the committee.
A motion to keep all the existing schools open while opening the new magnet school already failed 3-1 in committee. Board member Robert King voted in favor of operating 21 schools.

The three motions to which Malloy referred would have closed Toquam Magnet School, and either sent its students back to their districted schools or to the environmental magnet.

Malloy offered to work with the board of education and the state in order to come up with a different redistricting plan.

"While I'm not happy that 13 months after this committee started, we're coming to a halt for a while, I'm happy to have the help in coming up with (a redistricting plan,)" said board member Rosanne McManus.

The decision will push back the magnet lottery, said Superintendent Joshua Starr. The lottery was supposed to occur on Monday, but will instead take place in May.

Redistricting committee chairwoman Susan Nabel said that she will expect a report from Malloy in four weeks, on April 10.

Parents from Toquam Magnet School, who crowded the board room, applauded as the mayor left at 7:30 p.m. to attend another meeting.

"I'm so pleased that the discussion isn't over," said mother Dana Patashnik, whose two sons are in kindergarten and second grade at Toquam.

Other Toquam parents were cautiously optimistic after Wednesday's vote.

"I'm glad they didn't close our school tonight," said Toquam mom Ida Morris, "but they did decide to close one school."

Parents from other schools were equally concerned.

"It leaves the possibility that that other schools may close," said Hart mother Chris Kanaris.

"Anything is possible the way this project has been going," said Jennifer Adams, also a Hart parent.