Community gathers to celebrate the start of construction on Westport's newest school

On Tuesday, October 14, the Long Lots School Building Committee (LLSBC) hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the start of construction on a brand-new Long Lots Elementary School. The event, held on the school’s campus at 4:30 p.m., drew roughly 100 attendees, including students, families, town and district officials, and community members—each eager to celebrate this important milestone for Westport Public Schools.

The ceremony featured remarks from First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice, who spoke about the significance of the project for both the Long Lots community and the entire town of Westport. The new building will replace the existing Long Lots Elementary School and is scheduled to open for the 2027–2028 school year, ushering in a new era of teaching and learning in the district.

“This groundbreaking marks not just the start of a construction project, but the beginning of a new chapter for our students, staff, and community,” said Superintendent Thomas Scarice. “Long Lots has long been a cornerstone of Westport’s elementary education, and the new facility will ensure our children continue to learn and grow in an environment that reflects our values and aspirations.”

In a highlight of the ceremony, current Long Lots fourth- and fifth-grade students were the first to put shovels in the ground—symbolizing the future of the school they helped celebrate. Other students, staff, and members of the Westport and Long Lots communities were also invited to take part, marking the moment as a true community celebration of progress and possibility.

Designed to meet modern educational, environmental, and accessibility standards, the new Long Lots Elementary School will feature flexible learning spaces, state-of-the-art technology, and improved energy efficiency. The project also reflects the district’s commitment to providing safe, innovative, and inspiring facilities for all students.

“This is an exciting day for the Long Lots community,” said Principal Kim Ambrosio. “The construction of our new school symbolizes a future full of possibilities for students today and for generations to come.”

“This project is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s a promise to all of the residents of Westport that we value education and the people who make it possible,” said Jay Keenan, Chair of the Long Lots School Building Committee. “It’s a reflection of our town’s belief that our children deserve the best teachers and the best facilities to learn and grow.

“This building represents what we can accomplish when we come together around a shared purpose and stay the course. When completed, it will stand as Westport’s first state-of-the-art, sustainable facility—not only for education, but for the entire community.

“We are thankful to all the town boards and commissions for their unanimous support, the Town departments who guided us along the way, and a special thanks to Don O’Day, Sri Puttagunta, Joe Renzulli, and Tim Wetmore who once again stepped up when the Town asked and helped make this day possible. We are excited to move forward with this project that will serve generations of Westport’s children. At its heart, it’s about the kids.”

The groundbreaking ceremony celebrated years of planning and collaboration led by the Long Lots School Building Committee. Attendees gathered to witness the first shovels of dirt turned—a symbolic step toward the creation of a school that will serve generations of Westport students to come.

The project is being managed by Newfield Construction, a Connecticut-based firm with extensive experience in school construction and renovation projects across the state.

As the Long Lots community looks ahead to 2027, excitement continues to build for the transformation of the campus and the new opportunities it will bring to students and staff alike.