Associated Press
                April 17, 2001

                MILFORD Conn. (AP) - Weston's school superintendent,
                who was the subject of an ethics investigation while in a
                similar position in Pennsylvania, was found dead in her home
                by authorities responding to a report of a suicide.

                The body of Janet Shaner, 48. was found early Monday by
                fire officials in Milford. She hanged herself, according to an
                autopsy. A four-page letter to her sister was found by her
                body, police said.

                Shaner came to Weston last year from West Chester, Pa.,
                where she had served as school superintendent from 1997 to
                1999 as part of a 24-year career with the district. She started
                as a teacher and rose to the top post.

                Shaner became the subject of a Pennsylvania Ethics
                Commission investigation for her administrative service in
                West Chester. The ethics report last fall noted that while
                serving as supervisor of construction projects over a period of
                years, she received gifts tallying $16,899 from the
                construction manager.

                As part of a settlement, she agreed to give that sum to the
                state.

                The Chester County district attorney's office also was
                investigating the allegations but had not filed any criminal
                charges.

                The case followed Shaner from Pennsylvania to Connecticut.

                While the majority of Weston school board members
                continued to support her, two board members resigned in
                protest in January because no action was taken against
                Shaner for her actions in Pennsylvania.

                Weston schools were ordered closed Tuesday, and staff was
                asked to report to a meeting Tuesday morning in the Weston
                High School auditorium.

                The town's board of education held an emergency meeting
                Monday night.

                "I think the most important thing now is to settle the
                community down," said First Selectmen Harold Shupack.

                Assistant Superintendent Richard Miller, will be acting
                superintendent until further arrangements are made, said
                Michael Foster, chairman of the Board of Education.

                AP-ES-04-17-01 0301EDT