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Back to the Drawing Board

As the saga continues over the options for the School Utilization Plan, I’m wondering why the taxpayers, parents, and others have not been shown an Option “R”. Option R, in today’s questionable financial environment, stands for “Responsible.”

We saw a lot of options in the public hearings, but every one of those options would cost the taxpayers a tremendous amount of money. Where was the option that saves money in the face of our severe enrollment declines? Where was the option that sends funds toward better educational tools, not fancy new bricks and mortar?

We need to band together and just say “No” to this plan to completely rebuild a school, or now maybe two schools. I implore our town officials to go back to the drawing board, and give us a plan that causes the least disruption to students, keeps them in their neighborhoods longer, and is consistent with the tough environment in which we find ourselves.

Here is just one example of how it could potentially be done:

Keep the three elementary schools open and instead of moving 4th grade out, move 5th grade in. That would keep kids in their neighborhoods longer. Many districts around the country have elementary schools that go to 5th grade. Renovate the schools only as necessary. Combine the middle school to one school, for grades 6 to 8. If Ryerson is in such bad shape, make Brown an elementary school, and Polson becomes the sole middle school.

I’m not saying this is the best viable option, I am only saying there must be other options out there, that keep kids in their neighborhoods, and do not cost $60 million. Board of Education, please go back and show us those, sooner rather than later.

Janet Nicolini

Madison