To the editor:
Friends of Great Barrington Libraries strongly supports the building of a new Monument Mountain Regional High School and encourages a “YES” vote on Tuesday. The decision is easy and obvious!
The current school building is so outdated that the Massachusetts department of education refuses to invest money in it. The building is unsafe; there is no fire suppression (sprinkler) system. It is unhealthy; there is insufficient air exchange. There are dozens of unsecured doors and windows in a building built when school systems did not have to worry about intruders. It also needs a new roof.
All of that can be fixed. What can’t be fixed is the inadequacy of the space to meet current educational needs. There are dark, windowless interior classrooms and hallways and small and inflexible classrooms and vocational training spaces.
The good news is that the state will give us $60 million to towards a new building. Because of that, we can build a new, up-to-date building for the same cost to local taxpayers as patching the old one.
The Friends of GB Libraries’ mission is to support lifelong learning and literacy, love of books and reading, and alternative learning activities. Learning begins in schools. Please support education and vote “Yes” on November 4.
On November 5, the School Committee will either begin the process to build a new building, or they will begin an equally expensive process to patch up an obsolete building. The decision is easy.
Ed Abrahams
President, Friends of Great Barrington Libraries
Great Barrington
Holly Hamer
Treasurer, Friends of Great Barrington Libraries
Great Barrington
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