Dr. David Hopson
As I write this, the sky is grey, the wind is blowing, there are a few snow flurries, and the temperature is not at all spring-like, despite the calendar saying that spring has arrived. The reality is that we each hold pictures and assumptions of how a particular item looks, feels, or acts and it is often difficult to make reality fit the perception. As it is with the perception of spring and the reality of the actual weather, so it is with many other items. I find it interesting to try and view Worthington’s decision to leave the district through the lens of different individuals and groups. As one who has heard Senator Downing speak at two public hearings (Blandford and Huntington), I can see him struggling to make sense of the issue and the perceptions of different groups. Unlike most, Senator Downing has a significant say in how the process will play out and one must give him credit for attempting to get answers to questions, solve the issues individuals raise, and meet his duty to all of his constituents – certainly not an easy role to hold.
I’ve also heard various viewpoints from people around the issues of funding, education, and student opportunities and watched the actions taken by specific groups. Hiring legal counsel, engaging the public, asking procedural questions, filing legislation, holding town meetings, creating ad-hoc committees, meeting with elected officials, and setting meetings with state officials are just a few of the actions underway throughout the district. I am certainly glad that the Elementary Advisory Committee website (EAC site, found within the Gateway Website: www.grsd.org) was brought up as a source of information during the March GTAC meeting, as there is much useful information there. (The link to the EAC may be found on the ‘News Archive’ page, in the ‘News’ drop-down menu). Many of the underlying indicators and issues have not changed over the more than 4 years since the school committee voted to consolidate from five to two elementary schools. This includes budgetary pressures, decreasing enrollments, increased student accountability, and the need to have a district that provides each student with the greatest level of support and opportunities possible. It seems to me that much of this information has not been reviewed and brought forward into the current conversation on the issue of Worthington’s withdrawal efforts.
One of the suggestions that has been repeatedly made is having some moderated discussions in an effort to find common ground to work from; but, like many of the ideas being proposed, this requires a certain level of financial support from the towns that has, to date, not been forthcoming. It’s easy to see that the underlying problems, from whatever viewpoint you wish to consider, are not simple to understand, discuss, or resolve, and are not likely to disappear in the near future. As the legislators gather additional information to make an informed vote, as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education receives information from the towns to review educational options and opportunities, and as we all wait for whatever decision will be made, it’s important to remember that our primary responsibility remains with educating the children of the district and that, in the end, how we can best serve the educational needs of our students must remain in the forefront of our minds. I’m sure that whatever the final outcome is, we will all adapt to the change and continue to do our best to maintain entities dedicated to meeting the educational needs of children from all of our towns.
