Darien’s literacy program works for most students, but there is growing concern that the program is failing some of them, and that teachers lack the tools to get them back on track.
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Area responds to restraint data; kids with disabilities need better support
Questions and concerns emerged soon after it was reported that a single student was restrained or secluded 858 times in one school year. The number of incidents to this student — who has parents in Darien but attends a residential school outside of town — represented 96% of the total number of restraints and seclusions reported by Darien Schools during the 2012-13 school year.
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No raise for admins; arbitrators find school board equally culpable for special ed
School administrators will not be given raises this year, saving the district $68,000 after an arbitration panel decision. However, the panel found that responsibility for last year’s special education debacle should be shared among all those involved, including the Board of Education.
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Student held down, locked away, 858 times in a year
Many people will live their entire lives without being restrained from moving their bodies, and never being held in a confined space, unable to leave, for a long period of time. But one child of a Darien family experienced these incidents 858 times at the hands of an out-of-district school, according to information provided by district administration.
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Darien Times’ assistant editor DesRoches named ‘Reporter of the Year’
Darien Times’ assistant editor David DesRoches was named the New England Newspaper and Press Association’s journalist of the year Saturday night at the organization’s annual convention and awards banquet. Continue reading
Caught in the act: Woman defends self, home from intruder
A normal Thursday afternoon turned for the worst for Michele Kinloch when she stumbled upon a strange young woman in her bedroom. Continue reading
Auditors find litany of problems with special ed forms
Auditors tasked with scrutinizing Darien Schools’ excess cost reimbursements for special education services have found so many problems that they are saying it will take three or four times the amount of effort and time to determine how deep the problems go.
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Darien’s public employees among best paid in the state
If school administrators get their way, Darien will be shelling out an additional $70,000 among the 24 union members who all make six-figure salaries and are top earners in their field across the state.
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School board restricts free speech, later rescinds
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.
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Exposure of sensitive details has district seeking indemnification
The gloves are off. But some of the punches being thrown could involve legal implications that now have the school district publicly condemning the recent actions of the district’s former special education director.
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