To The Editor:
The Harwood Unified Union School District’s decision not to consolidate schools is disappointing to those of us who hoped to see more efficient use of resources and stronger academic opportunities for students. Still, if consolidation is off the table, we need to ask a new question: Why are we continuing to pay such a high price to operate multiple schools that all offer essentially the same thing?
Redundancy across schools is costly. Maintaining several small campuses with similar staffing, programs, and course offerings spreads our resources thin and limits innovation. If we are going to bear the high cost of multiple schools, we should make sure each one offers something distinct and valuable. Instead of every school trying to provide the same general education, each campus could develop a specialized focus.
One elementary school could become a STEAM campus, emphasizing science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math through project-based learning. Another could adopt a traditional academic model with structured instruction, high expectations, and a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy. A third could specialize in global studies, with immersive foreign language programs and international themes. A fourth could focus on the arts, where creativity, expression, and integrated arts education are at the center of learning.
This type of structure would reduce duplication and create stronger programming by allowing each school to concentrate resources and staff around a clear vision. It would also offer families meaningful choices based on what suits their child’s needs and interests, rather than being limited by town boundaries.
The same thinking could be applied to the middle schools. If the district insists on keeping both, why not give them distinct identities as well? One middle school could focus on the arts and global studies, while the other could specialize in STEAM and traditional academics. This would avoid duplication and allow middle school students to pursue deeper learning in areas that inspire them.
If we are going to continue operating multiple campuses during a time of tight budgets and declining enrollment, we should not settle for paying more to maintain sameness. Let’s use our resources to offer more focused and diverse options that prepare students for a changing world. Otherwise, we are simply preserving an expensive system that limits opportunity.
Brian Dalla Mura
Duxbury
