A Hartford public relations firm billed Darien taxpayers over $50,000 during the past year to help the school district manage public perception of the special education crisis.
Continue reading
One year after parents began unraveling an assortment of problems with school management, transparency and legal compliance through a state complaint, many questions remain unanswered as parents continue to struggle to be heard.
Continue reading
Suspicious language in a statement from the Board of Education that appeared to restrict free speech rights is now under review after The Darien Times brought this concern to the school board.
Continue reading
Over the last year, Darien’s government has been scrutinized for practices that have many in town questioning its ability to operate openly. Compliance with the Freedom of Information Act has been a problem for several elected bodies, but some say these volunteers should be treated with less scrutiny since they help the town on their own time.
Continue reading
Looking to file a Freedom of Information Act request for emails from elected Darien officials on a certain topic? Chances are you might not get everything you’re looking for, according to a Darien Times investigation.
Continue reading
School lawyers claim the work performed by a public relations firm should not be made public.
The lawyers, Shipman & Goodwin, a firm that represents the majority of public school districts in Connecticut, including Darien, decided that the discussions between the district and Duby McDowell Communications will not be disclosed, citing an exemption clause under the Freedom of Information Act known as lawyer-client privilege.
Continue reading
More than 40 public bodies help govern Darien, but only five of them have been consistently compliant with the Freedom of Information Act over the past three years, according to a Darien Times investigation.
Continue reading
The committee charged with reviewing emergency response times and standards has been repeatedly non-compliant with the Freedom of Information Act, according to Town Clerk records.
Continue reading
David DesRoches 