SOUTHWICK – It was an emotional night for the community of Granville on Wednesday as it was decided that the Granville Village School would close.
After Superintendent Jennifer Willard made the motion to close the Granville Village School, all seven school committee members then proceeded to vote on the school feasibility use study recommendation that Willard made.
Requiring a two-thirds majority vote, the committee voted five to two, in favor of closing the school.
The Granville Village School will remain open for the remainder of the school year and then all of the students will relocate to either Woodland School or Powder Mill School for the beginning of the 2017-18 school year.
Once the decision was made official that the school would be closing, several Granville residents as well as Southwick residents were upset about losing their school.
“I would just like to see Superintendent Willard do an assembly at Granville Village School to tell the students,” said Jenny Francis, a Granville resident. “I hope this isn’t the very end.”
The school committee voted in favor of closing the Granville Village School on Wednesday night. (Photo from Greg Fitzpatrick)
Another supporter of the Granville Village School, believed that the decision made by the school committee, will lead to overcrowding all four schools in the future.
“They’re going to regret it down the road,” said Jess Ripley.
Before the vote occurred, a number of people in the crowd spoke directly to the school committee during public comment, to give one last effort in attempting to persuade them to keep the school open.
“Closing the school is a permanent decision,” said Danielle Sullivan.
“Keep the school open, it benefits everybody, closing it, benefits nobody,” said Tracy Flarida.
Jean Reopel addressed her comments towards Willard.
“Realign the district, you’re a creative women,” said Reopel. “We need to offer our children more avenues.”
Pam Petschke, the Granville representative for the school committee, addressed the letter that she wrote to the school committee, before the vote was taken.
Petschke first started off the letter by thanking the audience and those who are in support of saving the Granville Village School.
“Thank you for taking the time to attend these meeting for the past several months. Thank you for your passion and dedication to your children, school, and community. Thank you for expressing your thoughts and opinions and participating in the civic process.”
Petschke then went on to speak towards the school committee, as she talked about how the results from closing the school would be something that she doesn’t think is the best option.
A number of Granville and Southwick residents came out to see the outcome of the school feasibility study vote. (Photo from Greg Fitzpatrick)
“None of these are risks that I am willing to take. The issue before us today is not one of an unsuccessful or underperforming school, it is one of an underfunded school district.”
Immediately after finishing up her speech, Petschke got a standing ovation from some people in the crowd.
After the school committee meeting ended, Willard discussed the decision that just transpired.
“It was a very a difficult decision and not one that is made lightly,” said Willard. “I know that this decision causes anxiety because this (Granville Village School) is the heartbeat of their community.”
Willard also spoke about how the district will be accepting the Granville students with open arms when they make the transition to either Woodland School or Powder Mill School.
“As a school district, we’re making a promise to include them in the transition, to carry on some of the traditions that they hold dear at Granville Village School,” said Willard.
The next school committee meeting will take place on Feb. 21. For more information about Wednesday night’s meeting, visit the school district website.
