Weekly Message from the Superintendent

Superintendent's Weekly Message - October 24, 2025

Dear SPS Families and Staff:

On October 14, the Board of Education voted to move the new Westhill High School construction project into the bidding phase. If the project remains on schedule, construction will begin following graduation in June 2026.

The new Westhill will be the first public, non-interdistrict magnet school built in Stamford during this century. This major investment in our public schools was made possible through unprecedented support from the State of Connecticut, which will reimburse the City of Stamford for 80% of eligible construction costs for the new Westhill, 60% of the eligible construction costs for the new Roxbury K-8 school, and 60% of the construction costs of the new two-campus K-8 school in the Cove neighborhood. Once completed, these three projects will provide modern, state-of-the-art learning environments for nearly 4,000 students.

These new school construction projects are part of a comprehensive Long Term Facilities Plan (LTFP) that includes capital improvements to all existing school buildings and the construction of a new Hart Magnet School for grades K-8. Implementation of the LTFP represents the most significant period of new school construction since 1966-1972 when Northeast (1966) Cloonan (1967), TOR (1968), Stillmeadow (1971), Westhill (1971), and Davenport (1972) opened. This is an exciting time for our community, as we make long-term investments that will benefit the city’s school children for decades to come.

At the same time, we recognize that these projects will require changes to the daily routines of current students, staff, and families at the schools undergoing construction. Beginning in mid-2026 and until the new Westhill opens, there will be no on-campus student parking areas, the Stamford Regional FFA (agriscience) Program will be unable to operate out of its building, and the athletic and marching band programs will be relocated off campus. As plans for the relocation of school programming, athletics, and band are finalized, they will be shared with the Westhill community.

These changes will call for flexibility, patience, and cooperation from students, staff, and families. Our district leaders, school leaders, and facilities personnel are working closely with the City of Stamford and the new Westhill project team to minimize disruption to current students, staff, and families. The City and SPS will provide regular updates to the Westhill community throughout construction.

For information on the new Westhill and other new school construction and capital improvement projects, be sure to visit spsbuilds.com.

Hart Magnet School Info Sessions: October 28

Parents/guardians interested in applying for their child to attend Hart Magnet School beginning in 2026-27 should plan to attend one of the in-person information sessions on Tuesday, October 28 at 9:15 am and 6 pm. During the information session, you will hear a brief presentation from school administrators, tour the building, and have a chance to ask questions.

Every SPS Magnet School is hosting in-person information sessions this fall; click here for the schedule.

Documentary About SPS Now Airing on PBS

In September 2019, the BOE unanimously approved a resolution granting filmmakers Leigh and Jason Morfoot access to our schools to shoot a documentary. Yesterday, that film—School District—premiered on Boston PBS affiliate WGBH. School District follows students, teachers, administrators, and staff throughout the 2020-21 school year as they coped with the challenges of teaching and learning during a pandemic. The documentary features many familiar faces from across the district, including students, teachers, staff, and administrators. Part One of the documentary, entitled “Fall,” is available to view online or via the free PBS App which is available for iPhone, Android, and on most streaming services and smart TVs.

Books Across Stamford Event is November 1

The Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF) will host its annual Books Across Stamford – Haunted Halloween event on Saturday, November 1 from 1 to 4 pm at the Ferguson Library Main Branch. Families of children in PreK-5 are invited to join SPEF for some Halloween fun, including treats, crafts, and special guest readers. Children will also get to take home a free book for their home library.