12 March, 2011
Dear Editor:
There has been much said from both sides of the vote as to what the ideal decision is for the future of Hopkinton’s schools. I worry we are dangerously close to losing sight of the big picture—the future leaders that will emerge from this lovely town.
I feel by now that most of us realize that Center School no longer functions adequately for teaching our 450+ smallest students and, consequently, has been deemed obsolete (MSBA, HESBC). Did you know that Center has seen 83 birthdays? The first renovation Center received was over six decades ago and then another renovation and expansion 25 years ago. In 2007, the taxpayers were required to pay for an emergency repair--- a new boiler. This boiler may work fine but the antiquated heat delivery system cannot sufficiently carry heat in the winter to many classrooms. As a result, several classrooms heat only to 60 degrees requiring five and six year old children to wear mittens and coats while they receive their education. I shake my head when I hear folks say that we could renovate the building. I’ve also heard comments that ‘taxpayers vote selfishly’. I hope in my heart that we all disagree with that. I want heat in my child’s classroom now and I will vote the same way fifty years down the road. These are bare-bone necessities at age 5 and at age 95.
My main point I’d like to address: How can all the experts be wrong? I cannot believe that all of our highly experienced, well-educated, and in some cases elected professionals be collectively incorrect.
• Our elected School Committee members, our School Administrators and our HPTA volunteers, after ten years of negotiation and research, time and energy have concluded that the K-5 School model is indeed superior and now an available possibility in providing the most likely route for success to our students.
• Both the Fire Chief and the Police Chief report significant safety concerns citing both foot-traffic safety issues as well as emergency access concerns at Center School and support building at the Fruit Street site rather than renovating at the Center School site. (Support letters can be located at the Building for Hopkinton website.
• 80% of our elected Town Selectman have voted in favor of and are supportive of the Fruit Street School. (They are the folks that will never hear the end of this if it is unsuccessful!)
• All our elementary school principals, as well as many teachers I have spoken with are fully supportive of the K-5 neighborhood school model.
They are ALL in concert that Center School is beyond repair and this particular model is right for Hopkinton (and right for Hopkinton RIGHT NOW as the MSBA is giving Hopkinton FREE 44.7% funding for the new school --- yes undeniably a FREE check for $14.883 Million to Hopkinton.) Let’s put our faith, our trust and our support into our School Committee, our Administrators, our PTA, our Police Chief, our Fire Chief, our Town Selectman and most importantly, let’s trust our teachers. VOTE YES for our students!
Jen Kelly
11 Connelly Hill Rd
March 11, 2
