Ann Marie Dargon, superintendent of Westport schools since 2013, will leave her post in June, 2018, after the close of the school year.

The School Committee voted last Tuesday in executive session against renewal of Ms. Dargon’s contract which will expire in June. By contract, the committee was required to make a decision on Ms. Dargon’s renewal by December 31.

While not disclosing the actual vote, Board Chairwoman Margot Desjardins said that a majority of the board voted for non-renewal.

She acknowledged that change at the top comes at a most busy time for the school department, which is preparing for a town vote on a proposed new $97 million new grade 5-12 school and complete reorganization of the system’s physical structure.

“Unfortunately the time line for this was determined by the contract” which calls for making a decision on Ms. Dargon’s contract six months before it is set to expire.

Her hope is, she said, is that when the doors open on the new school, Westport students will have a cutting edge building, equipment and leadership. And since that new school won’t open for several years, if voters approve it, change now does provide time for all of that to happen.

In addition to focus on a new school, the department has been grappling with the “flight” of students from Westport High School.

Last May, the committee said it must deal with the fact that around half of students in the previous year’s Westport 8th grade have moved on to other districts. Some have chosen to go to private schools — that has been happening for awhile — but others signed up to attend school at Dartmouth High School which this year for the first time opened its doors to 30 tuition-paying students from other towns — over half of those slots were taken by students from Westport. As a result, the committee voted to open some of its own grades up to tuition students and to take other steps to stem the flow.

Ms. Desjardins said the committee will be deliberate in its search for a replacement; the question of whether an interim person will take on the superintendent’s duties “is a discussion for the committee.”

In a statement released after that executive session, the committee said:

“We recognize Dr. Dargon’s contributions to the district under sometimes challenging circumstances and while the Committee is grateful for her leadership during the last five years, we believe a new direction for the Westport Community Schools is essential to accomplish our long-term vision of academic excellence. With careful consideration of all underlying factors, we collectively reached our decision not to renew the superintendent’s contract and seek new school leadership with the best interest of our students and the school system in mind.

“We acknowledge that change is difficult, however this is a unique moment. It is an opportunity to focus our energy and resources to develop the innovative and cutting-edge 21 century programs that can bring vitality and credibility to our curriculum across all grade levels.”

In September 2016, the School Committee voted 3-2 to approve a $10,000 raise for Supt. Dargon. The decision boosted her pay from $123,800 to $132,000 but did not include a travel stipend as before. Voting against the raise were members Carolina Africano and Margo DesJardins.

Dargon cites accomplishments

Ms. Dargon had requested that her contract be renewed.

“As you are aware, I have been employed in the Westport Community School District since October 2011. I started as the Assistant Superintendent for two years and for the last four years I have served as your Superintendent of Schools … “I have enjoyed my time in Westport and feel there is much more we can accomplish together.”

She had previously been an elementary school teacher and then a principal in Ashland, Pembroke and Taunton schools.

She provided a list of accomplishment highlights — Ms. Desjardins said she agrees with the items on the list.

Among those accomplishments are:

• Highest MCAS scores in the last four years

• CurriculumProfessional Learning Community teams in place

• Facebook Page started four years ago and gaining more followers each week

• Started the Westport Community Schools' Extended Day Program

• Trained staff in the ALICE program to be better prepared in case of a violent intruder

• Hired two part-time directors of curriculum

• Re-hired Tom Gastall, transferred Mrs. Pontes and hired a new Jr/Sr High administrative team

• Brought in OdysseyWare for online learning; began online learning programs at the WES and MAC

• Started an Interventionist Department for additional help to at-risk students

• Closed the middle school due to PCB's and successfully transferred all students to new schools

• Working on litigation vs Monsanto, as a result of the PCB's

• Worked on the new school project since April 2014

• Started a Superintendent's Advisory Council, drafted a new Strategic Plan

• Worked to get an appropriate budget passed each year for our students - no cuts to staff

• Secured a small bus from the Council on Aging for local field trips

• Started STEAM initiatives

• Started Maker Space activities in each school

• Began the boat building course

• Began Intergenerational Project with WHS students and the Council on Aging

• Expanded English Language Learner department

• Received more grants than in the past

• Improved attendance

• Reduced the drop-out rate