To the Editor:
Teachers are what matter most in a child’s education. After teachers, the primary tool for educating our children is the school building. It should provide shelter, comfort, safety and facilities that encourage and support vigorous learning. The building that houses Monument Mountain Regional High School is failing in many of these areas. Most of its major systems — roof, windows, heating, and ventilation — have reached the end of their lives. In the winter, some students wear winter coats throughout the day. In the spring, garbage cans are out to catch leaking water. Fuses blow or melt, ventilation is almost nonexistent and the building is easily entered by anyone. Most of the building has little or no natural light. The culinary program is held in a room designed for home economics. The technology and vocational departments are struggling to meet the standards of the industries with deteriorating facilities. The labs are antiquated, too small to provide quality access for all and not safe. There are more causes for concern. If you are interested in seeing what we are talking about, make an appointment for a tour or attend the tour scheduled for November 1 at 9 a.m.
The building has served our community well and we have used it to educate thousands of our children. However, the building is becoming an impediment to serving the students as best we can; its ability to function as an educational tool is limited. It is time to improve the design and fix or replace its major systems.
We, the undersigned teachers and staff at Monument Mountain Regional High School, believe that the proposed renovation will dramatically improve the building’s use as an educational tool, both in design and function, for the next 50+ years. The renovated MMRHS will create a safe and healthy learning environment for our students, encourage interdisciplinary work, be environmentally efficient, have science labs that enable students to experiment and learn without obstructions, and have new vocational opportunities. The renovated MMRHS will equip our students with the tools to navigate the 21st century as productive citizens.
For these reasons, as well as the reasons stated in many previous letters, presentations, and fliers, we ask that you please vote YES, for the renovation AND the 2 ½ percent over-ride on November 4th!
Signed by 67 (which represents 95 percent) members of the faculty and staff from Monument Mountain Regional High School.
Scott Annand
Lisa Baldwin
Ed Barrett
Julie Bickford
Dan Bouvier
Dave Brown
Michelle Campbell
Rebecca Campetti
Shannon Cella
Elyse Clark
Tracy Clark
Ted Collins
Christopher J. D’Aniello
Anne D’Aniello
Russ DiGrigoli
Jodi Drury
Meghan Dwyer
Kathy Erickson
Steve Estelle
Kristi Farina
Aaron Fisher
William Florek
Sean Flynn
Edward F. Furey
Nancy Graham
Daniel Gray III
Doreen M. Hughes
Paul Kakley
Gary Kapchinske
Ryan Kelly
Krista Kennedy
Nancy M. King
Dave Kinne
June Lovett
Karen Luttenberger
Linnea Mace
Karen Mackey
Rebecca Marzotto
Hugh McCartney
Susan McCauley
Sarah Mead
Jennifer Miller
Michael Mooney
Juraye Moran
Pamela Morehouse
Diana Norton
Emily Olds
Laura Passetto
Janet Peeples
Mike Powell
Michael G. Rosenthal
Kathy Roy
Thomas Roy
Ken Scarpa
Bethany Spence
Gordie Soule
Kara Staunton
Jeffrey R. Stevens
Holly M. Troiano
Jolyn Unruh
Chris Unsworth
Linda Vermilyea
Marcie Valasco
Lisken Van Pelt Dus
Neel Webber
Matt Wohl
Valerie Zantay
