The MERSD School Committee is seeking volunteers to serve on its Elementary
Configuration Task Force!
To learn more about the schedule, goals, and responsibilities of
participants please visit the Elementary
Configuration Task Force page on the district website.
We hope you will consider volunteering your time!
Background
In the
Spring of 2013 an elementary facilities assessment was conducted by Habeeb
& Associates. The study was performed at the district’s request to verify
and to provide additional information to an internal review conducted during
the 2011-2012 school year. As mapped in the District Improvement Plan, we are
working to assess short-term costs of maintaining the two elementary schools as
well as working to develop a multi-year budget and a timeline for identifying
the long-term options for the elementary schools.
The Habeeb
study determined that each of our elementary school buildings has exceeded its
useful life and require a plan of action to address the structural and
programmatic needs of the district. The annual cost to maintain the Manchester
Memorial, built in 1950, and Essex Elementary, constructed in 1958, is expected
to increase significantly in the next five years. It is imperative that MERSD
formulate a long-term plan to address our declining elementary school
facilities in order to responsibly manage costs and to provide students with a
safe and environmentally sound learning environment.
The
first step in this process is for the School Committee to determine the
academic program configuration for the elementary schools. Currently, MERSD
utilizes a neighborhood schools model. Under this model, elementary students
attend school in their respective towns, which are in close proximity to their
homes. One plan under consideration is to unify the elementary schools into one
community, beginning in Kindergarten, which is similar to our current
Pre-Kindergarten and Middle/High School programs. Under this model Essex and
Manchester students would attend school together.
This
important policy decision has an impact on students, parents, and the community
at large. In order to determine our future course of action, the School
Committee will convene the Elementary
Configuration task force/study committee on September 17, 2013 to
review the educational implications of the academic program and to gather
public input on possible solutions. The MERSD administration and School
Committee will engage community members in this conversation as it seeks
members of the task force and will continue to inform the school and town
populations about this process on its website, at scheduled meetings, and
through email. To learn more about the schedule, goals, and
responsibilities of participants please the Elementary
Configuration Task Force page on the district website.
If you
are interested in joining the Task Force please email
Caroline
Weld - weldc@mersd.org, James, Haskell - haskellj@mersd.org or Pam Beaudoin -
beaudoinp@merd.org
