Granville resident Steve Cook speaks at the podium as he talks about his issues with the possibility of Granville Village School closing. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – A public forum was held in the auditorium of the Southwick Regional High School on Monday night which had several people throughout the community in attendance.
The public forum was centered on the school feasibility study that New England School Development Council (NESDEC) put together. NESDEC was hired by the school committee in order to do the study on the district.
NESDEC consultants John Kennedy and Anna Cross presented their study to the crowd. After going through their presentation, NESDEC then displayed their two options that they have created for Granville Village School, one of the four schools in the district.
The first option would involve closing Granville Village School entirely and reassigning the building to a completely different use. Keeping everything the way it is would be the second option.
Once Kennedy and Cross finished discussing all of the advantages and challenges for each option, the rest of the evening was left for people in the audience to voice their opinion.
Ted Sussman brings forth his points as to why Granville Village School shouldn’t be closed. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
As over 15 people in the crowd spoke, they had a variety of concerns about the possibility of having Granville Village School closed.
If the school was closed, a major challenge that NESDEC had in their presentation is the fact that the travel time for students living in Granville would increase.
Meg Putnam, a resident and parent from Granville, expressed her concern about that particular issue.
“The students of Granville didn’t choose to live in Granville, their families did,” said Putnam.
Ted Sussman, who was on a past school building committee, brought up his issue with the impact class sizes would have on the children from Granville if they had to go to school in Southwick.
Sussman believed that if the school closes, more students will be in each class at the schools in Southwick. It is an outcome that he doesn’t want to see happen.
“The two things we can give our kids are space and time,” said Sussman.
Jean Reopel, currently a teacher at the Southwick Regional High School, spoke out about what kind of impact there would be if the school closed. Reopel agrees that it would lead to much more crowded classrooms throughout the district.
“The student’s needs have changed,” said Reopel. “I need less kids in the classroom, I need to teach every student.”
Danielle Sullivan expresses her opinion on the options brought by NESDEC. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Sussman believes the students in Granville currently have the proper education and it should remain that way.
“We have good teachers, we have good facilities,” said Sussman. “Let’s try to make the best use of them.”
Almost a handful of the people that spoke up were at least 2nd generation of their family who have lived in Granville and have gone through Granville Village School and through the rest of the school system.
Colleen Giroux, who has a young daughter early into her time in the school system, said she wants to see her daughter have the same experience she did.
“It’s really exciting to see her going through Granville,” said Giroux.
A third generation of Granville, David Ripley brought up the fact that losing the school would affect the teachers.
“Not only are we going to get rid of a village school, we’re going to get rid of all the jobs that go with it,” said Ripley.
At the end of the forum, Superintendent Jen Willard addressed the crowd to cap off the night.
“We did hear you tonight,” said Willard.
Willard then said that no decision has been made yet but assured whichever choice is made, will be for what is most important.
NESDEC Consultant John Kennedy gives his presentation on the school feasibility study during the public forum. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
“It will be on behalf of all students,” said Willard.
Listening to a number of parents, teachers, and Granville residents speak about Granville Village School, Willard knows what it means to them.
“This is a very emotional decision, Granville is a very tight knit community,” said Willard. “They love their (Granville) Village School, it is a part of their identity.”
The next step with the process will consist of a final draft of the school feasibility study by NESDEC that will be presented at the school committee meeting on Dec. 20. As the school committee would be making the ultimate decision and vote on what to do with the Granville Village School, Willard will be able to make recommendations on behalf of both options.
