To The Editor:
This letter is addressed to the HUUSD Board.
I hope everyone is enjoying fall and doing well.
It’s clear that there is growing anxiety and frustration throughout our communities related to how this entire redesign process is proceeding. At the same time, there are many truly creative and valuable ideas emerging. And given that recent community engagement sessions have been relatively focused on the specific school redesign scenarios already put forward by the board, we invited you to join community members from 9 to 10 p.m. for a more open discussion and informal opportunity to hear and field some of the many concerns and ideas that continue to emerge. Two of you did.
Additionally, I want to echo recent comments by emphasizing the following suggestions for the board moving forward:
1.) Slow down and take a few steps back. Spend this fall using the vision statement and real community engagement to develop a range of realistic school configuration options. Use the spring months as a board to narrow those options down based on the criteria that has been established and the vision statement. Bring the bond/redesign package for a vote during the 2020 General Election – this has an added benefit of much higher participation as well.
2.) Do more to engage more of the community in finding creative solutions.
3.) Model out some possible paths forward that do not include school closures, but do include adding services to draw more students in to the system and utilizing the buildings we have at the center of each community.
4.) Get accurate data on the economic impact on communities that have experienced school closures, including tax rates and population changes over time.
5.) Gather data on the impact on student's social and emotional health. If data is not possible, talk to school social workers and counselors in districts where schools have merged.
6.) Calculate the true tax savings potential of each scenario in dollars for an average-size household.
7.) Consider presenting a bond without a school closure attached. See if it is supported after we have an informed community.
Thanks again for your time and energy.
Brian Mohr
Moretown, Vermont
