4th Nor’Easter Set to Pack a Punch

DANBURY, CT — The first day of spring is on Tuesday, but spring weather is staying at bay, at least for now, as a fourth Nor’Easter in one month threatens our area. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook now through Sunday which “will likely bring accumulating snow from late Tuesday night into Wednesday evening.”

NECN’s meteorologist said this could be enough to bring “plowable snow” and “cause delays and cancellations for Thursday morning.”

WFSB meteorologist Bruce DePrest stated that  light snow will begin early in the morning on Wednesday and then snow will become heavy at times, with strong winds. Snow is expected to end before dawn on Thursday. Depending on the track of the storm, some areas may receive significant snowfall of 6 inches or more, according to the NWS.

“We are forecasting 6-12 inches for much of the state,” DePrest said.

If area students have a snow day, many will be getting out in late June as snow day totals approach nearly two dozen for some schools.

Photo credit: Wendy Ann Mitchell

BREAKING: Ridgefield Superintendent of Schools Placed on Administrative Leave

Sunday, March 11, 2018, 10:35 p.m.

RIDGEFIELD, CT — After a special Executive Session was called by the Ridgefield Board of Education last Friday, the Chairman of the Board announced Sunday, via email, that Ridgefield Superintendent of Schools Karen Baldwin has been placed on administrative leave. Te letter did not state whether or not Dr. Baldwin is on paid or unpaid leave.

The following letter was sent to parents Sunday evening:

“Dear Ridgefield Community,

After the Special Meeting that the Board of Education held on Friday evening, we want to reassure all members of our school community that the board will continue to work closely with the experienced team of leaders who work in our schools and in the District’s Central Office to ensure that work continues without interruption.  Our administrators and teaching staff have a depth of knowledge and experience that will help to guide the District.

On Friday at a Special Meeting of the Ridgefield Board of Education, the board took the following actions.  The Board of Education authorized board member Jonathan Steckler, to appoint an investigator to look into the alleged use of sources by the Superintendent.  The investigation will be without prejudice.  While the investigation is ongoing, the Superintendent has been placed on Administrative leave.  An interim Superintendent will be appointed shortly.  Our community is relying on the professional Ridgefield administrators, teachers, and staff to be focused on the job of teaching and learning.  If anyone has any questions or comments that they feel are of immediate importance, please begin by contacting your building administrator.

Fran Walton
Board of Education Chair”

The investigation stems from allegations made that Dr. Baldwin’s letter to parents following the Parkland, Florida high school shootings was plagiarized. After it took Dr. Baldwin a week to address the tragic shooting in which 17 high school students were murdered, parents and students were upset and voiced their concerns on various town Facebook pages. Paul Kim, a Ridgefield High School senior, attempted to address the plagiarism at a Board of Education meeting, but was not allowed to speak.

The following document was obtained by CT Buzz News that shows striking similarities between Dr. Baldwin’s communications and letters and speeches from others, including Brookfield’s Superintendent of Schools and President Barack Obama.

Click here to read the document.

How do you feel about the allegations? Tell us in the comments or send a Letter to the Editor to ctbuzznews@gmail.com.