Education
Tara Ochman SOTT 2019

Board of Ed Chairperson Tara Ochman’s 2019 State of the Town Address

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The Board of Education and the school district hope to get rid of the portable classroom buildings at schools in town and early reports say the new school psychologists at Darien elementary schools are helpful, Tara Ochman, chairperson of the Board of Education said Monday night. Ochman also said the proposed teacher contract, negotiated between the Board of Education and the Darien teachers union “respects our teachers, and initiated workload changes which will provide the town with both immediate and long term savings.” The contract, which increases the workload of middle school and high school teachers from 4.5 to 5 classes at any one time, increases teacher pay by a total of just over 11 percent over three years. The proposed agreement is expected to go before the Representative Town Meeting in December for a vote in January. The contract would be the biggest part of the town education budget (making up about half of it), and the education budget itself takes up two thirds of town spending.

Education
Tara Ochman State of the Town 2018

Board of Ed Chair Tara Ochman Appointed to CT Board for School Administrator Professional Standards

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Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff has appointed Darien Board of Education Chairperson Tara Ochman to the Connecticut Advisory Council for School Administrator Professional Standards. — an announcement from Bob Duff

The 17-members board reports to the State Board of Education, the governor, and the Legislature’s Education Committee. All members are appointed to four-year terms.
“Tara has done a tremendous job leading the Darien Board of Education,” said Duff, a Democrat who’s Senate district covers all of Norwalk and part of Darien. “She has spearheaded a number of school safety initiatives, strengthened teaching best practices, and oversaw the effort to add more solar to make Darien greener and save taxpayer dollars. Tara will bring great experience and know-how to this advisory council which will benefit students across the state.”

“I am honored to join this advisory council and thank to Senator Duff for the opportunity to serve,” said Chairperson Ochman.

Government & Politics
Letter letters

Letter: Support Tara Ochman for Re-Election to the Board of Education

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To the editor:

Please join me in supporting Tara Ochman’s re-election to the Board of Education. Tara is uniquely qualified for the board — proven by how well she has served Darien for the past three years. Knowing her personally for over a decade, I know how committed she is to our children and their education. She has worked tirelessly to ensure our schools reach all learners, and are committed to providing excellent educational opportunities. She has championed our students, and has developed responsible budgets.

Government & Politics
Democratic Slate town offices 2019

Democrats Nominate Slate With Gaps for 2019 Town Election

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The 2019 Democratic Caucus recently endorsed a slate of five candidates already approved by the Democratic Town Committee, and declined to offer opposition to various other candidates endorsed by the Republican Caucus. Barring defeat in a primary, the Democratic candidates on this November’s ballot includes Board of Education Chair Tara Ochman; Board of Selectmen candidates Sarah Neumann and David Martin; Board of Finance candidate Dan Bumgardner; and Planning & Zoning Commission candidate George Reilly. No candidates were nominated and none were endorsed for town clerk, tax collector, treasurer, constables or the Board of Assessment Appeals. ____________________

See also:

GOP Caucus Ratifies Republican Town Committee’s Slate of Candidates for Town Offices (July 22)

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Rob Werner nominated Chris Noe for first selectman, but in an overwhelming vote, about three dozen caucus members endorsed David Bayne, instead. Noe received only two votes.

Government & Politics
Democratic candidates

Four Democrats Jointly Announce They’re Candidates for November’s Election

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Four Democrats announced Sunday that they’re running for offices in Darien’s local elections on Nov. 5:

Tara Ochman, chairman of the Board of Education, is running for re-election; Sarah Neumann and David Martin are running for the Board of Selectmen; and Dan Bumgardner is running for a seat on the Board of Finance. The candidates will be nominated at the Democratic Caucus at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 23 in Room 119 at Darien Town Hall. All members of the Darien Democratic Party are invited to attend. A news release from the candidates said, in part:

Shannon Silsby, campaign manager for the candidates is thrilled that such a passionate group of public servants is interested in serving Darien.