Moriah Tyrrell, a Thompson School parent and a member of the Arlington School Enrollment Community Group, presented her views to the School Committee during public participation on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2016:
I first sat before you, here at this table, approximately one year ago. It was my first time in this room, and I was asking for your attention in regards to our Thompson School fourth graders and their class sizes.
Over the past year, I have paid closer attention to your meetings and discussions, as the townwide enrollment challenges have become the forefront and are no longer isolated to the Thompson School. I am impressed and amazed by the amount of hours you all put in, the meetings you attend, and the paperwork you have to go through on a daily basis. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
However, as I find myself tuning in to more of the discussions and meetings, I am surprised to find that here we are, in February of 2016, and still having the same discussions, still guessing about how much things may cost, and with no clear plan or goals in place.
Yes, the Thompson School will have two temporary modular classrooms next year, which is critical, but it’s a band-aid. It does not get the Thompson School what it needs in the long term. And it’s not in line with a long-term plan.
No clear plan for Ottoson
The Middle School enrollment is now on the brink of being disastrous, and again there is no clear plan in place. For a while, it has been assumed that 20 modular classrooms would sit in the parking lot at the Ottoson, but a couple of meetings ago. Dr. Bodie mentioned that they might not be able to sit there, due to the air flow that needs to get to the school.
Then at the facilities meeting on Tuesday night [Feb. 9], it was mentioned that the modulars probably cannot be stacked at the Ottoson, as the site can not accommodate that configuration. Has someone from the modular company actually looked at this space? Is putting modulars at the Ottoson School even a possible option?
When hearing discussions about how much it might cost to renovate the Gibbs School, we have heard anywhere from $14 million to $30 million. A new proposal of a permanent addition at Ottoson is now on the table, with a labeled cost of $12 million.
Does this include blasting into the hill? Relocating the parking lot and dealing with traffic flow? Extra gym and cafeteria space? What about the intangible costs to our community by applying more and more band-aid solutions?
Difficult conversations
We understand that opening up a second middle school would require difficult conversations with the current Gibbs tenants and teachers at OMS who may or may not want to move schools. However, you held on to the Gibbs building in case of enrollment needs, and we have trouble understanding why using the building has not been the forefront of these options.
Every week that goes by, without a decision being made, or a plan proposed, is another week that our teachers, staff and students are paying the price. As more administrative “solutions” are put into place, the quality of the education we are providing is declining, and our teachers and staff are being asked to give up the dedicated space that they require and deserve.
So tonight when you discuss what to present to the task force meeting on Feb. 23, please push hard for a feasibility study. One that looks at all of our options: space at Thompson to accommodate the E. Arlington elementary school growth, renovating the Gibbs School and an addition to Ottoson.
What about the money?
It needs to include how long each option will take, and the costs that will incur for the temporary fixes during the process.
If there is money in your budget, I am not sure what is holding you up, or why this has not been done, but if money needs to come from the town, then make a plea for the importance of getting it done now.
It is now past time for hard figures and timelines, in order for this process to move forward. So please, continue to do what you do best, and advocate for our students and teachers. Thank you.
This viewpoint was published Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016.
