Letter: We Need More Space, Not Fewer Schools
In November, Southington voters will be asked to make a decision that will affect our children, our teachers, our families and our community for decades.
Before we do that, I think we need to ask one simple question:
Does this proposal actually solve the problem our elementary schools are facing?
After walking through all eight elementary schools, I don't believe it does.
The superintendent offered PTOs an opportunity to have a representative from each school attend these visits and see the buildings firsthand in the late spring. Only three schools had a parent representative attend all eight visits. Only two Board of Education members attended every visit.
I was fortunate enough to be one of those parents. I walked through every school, took notes and listened. As a teacher of 23 years, I know firsthand that a school needs much more than classrooms to meet the needs of its students.
I walked away with one very clear impression:
Our schools are using every bit of space they have.
At Strong, two full classrooms are being used for special education. The community room is now a classroom, a former computer room is now a classroom, and part of the library has been walled off to create space for OT/PT.
At Oshana, there is no spare classroom. The community room is now a kindergarten classroom, and a wall was added to divide what was once a larger art room.
At Hatton, there are no spare rooms. A former book room is now special education space, a closet is being used for speech, and the community room is shared by OT/PT, BCBA and ABA. Even portions of the library are being used for other instructional needs.
At Thalberg, part of the library was made smaller with a wall to create a special education room. Half of the former computer lab is now a classroom, the community room is now a second-grade classroom, and a former music room is now a third-grade classroom.
And at Flanders—the school this proposal would close—there are no spare classrooms. Classrooms are being used for special education, literacy intervention, math intervention, art and mental health services.
These are not schools with rooms sitting empty.
They are schools finding creative ways to make room for the children and services they already have.
That is why I believe something needs to be done—but this proposed project isn't the answer.
I am not opposed to investing in our schools. In fact, after visiting Kelley, I can understand why there is a need for renovation and improvements. I support investing in Kelley—but not at the expense of closing Flanders.
We should be able to address Kelley’s needs while also recognizing the needs of our other elementary schools. Renovating one school and closing another should not be the only solution.
I believe we need to start fresh.
We need to ask the bigger questions: What should Southington's elementary schools look like 10, 20 and 30 years from now? What spaces do our students actually need? What are the best options for renovating, expanding or replacing our existing schools? And what can we realistically afford?
Most importantly, the community needs to be part of answering those questions.
Not just elected representatives from the Board of Education, Board of Finance and Town Council. We need parents. Teachers. Administrators. Staff. PTO representatives. Residents. People who understand special education and student services. People with knowledge of facilities and finance. And representatives from all eight elementary school communities.
A truly inclusive committee should be involved from the beginning—not brought in after the major decisions have already been made.
Let's look honestly at how our classrooms and other spaces are being used. Let's consider every option. Let's talk about the costs. And then let's develop a plan together.
Maybe that plan includes renovations. Maybe it includes additions. Maybe it includes new construction. Maybe it includes a combination of all three.
But that conversation needs to happen before we make an irreversible decision.
Our schools clearly need attention. The question is whether this proposal is the right way to address those needs.
I believe we owe our community a more thoughtful process—one that brings everyone to the table and looks at the needs of all eight elementary schools before making a decision that cannot be undone.
So before you vote on this referendum question in November, I encourage you to ask yourself:
If we know our schools need more space, and we know our existing schools are already finding ways to make every inch work, is closing one of those schools really the solution?
I don't believe it is.
Shama Greene
Note: the opinions expressed in this letter do not necessarily reflect those of The Southington Outsider.
