To the editor:
I am New Marlborough’s community representative to the Eight Town Regional School District Planning Board (RSDPB). Truly, it was an honor to serve the Town of New Marlborough and to work alongside individuals from our neighboring towns whose sole objective was to determine the best possible course forward regarding the education of our children.
Assertions have been made that need to be addressed:
First: The allegation that the RSDPB did not consider all options, especially the aspect of collaboration. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our research team presented a detailed study and analysis of historical collaboration between the two school districts. The reports can be found here, under “Reports and Plans (2021–2022).” The bottom line is that, as enrollment has declined, the collaborative programs have folded due to lack of students to participate and lack of funds to keep them running. At no single point during our three and a half years of deliberation did the naysayers on the RSDPB request or present any other options to be considered.
Second: The Regional Agreement is designed to close our elementary schools. Again, nothing could be further from the truth. My two children attended New Marlborough Central School. I know what a gem it is, and I would fight tooth and nail to keep it open, and I did so in 2010–2011 when Superintendent Singleton proposed the closure of NMC, Monterey, and the South Egremont schools. It was then that the current Southern Berkshire Regional School District Agreement was amended to provide the language for town involvement in the closure of a school. We on the RSDPB were very careful to draft the proposed Regional School District Agreement so that it would not alter the manner in which a school may be closed. In fact, we have strengthened the requirements that must be met in order to close a school to the point where we have been told “you will never close a school with that language.”
And third, and perhaps the most dangerous: “Why would we want to change? We have the best of both worlds with school choice.” Make no mistake about it, if the merger fails, Berkshire Hills will build a school suited for 485 students. Currently, Monument Mountain can accommodate 750 students. If there is no room at the new high school, Choice will not be an option; no Choice students will be admitted. Waconah opened their new high school, and they are maxed out with their own population. No choice Students are being accepted there. Another important fact is that if a student from New Marlborough (or any of the five towns) is admitted into any of the vocational (chapter 74) programs to be developed at the new Berkshire Hills high school, it will cost the individual town, not the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, $26,000 (or more) per student to attend those programs. If we merge, our kids will have the right to attend without any additional payment by the individual towns.
We have a unique opportunity to bring our students opportunities that we cannot support on our own. There are no vocational (chapter 74) programs in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District. Mount Everett does have non-chapter 74 vocational programs, but those programs do not compare to the rigor and depth of chapter 74 programs, which are the gold star standard. Further, Mount Everett offers only three AP classes, Monument Mountain offers 14, and together we may be able to offer more. Our model brings together the best of both districts, giving our students access to so much more.
There is no greater responsibility we have as a community than to provide the best possible education for our students with the resources we have available. Strong schools build and sustain strong communities. If we don’t move our students forward, we, and the community we love will likely fall behind.
Susan Smith
New Marlborough
