Thursday, October 15, 2015

Town will never get better deal for school

Letter To The Editor
Town will never get better deal for school

This is my 35th year in public education and fourth year as the principal of Templeton Center and Baldwinville Elementary schools. I am very proud of the many accomplishments of students, teachers, parents, staff and community.

State and local data reflect improvement in what our students know and are able to do. By all indications, we are thriving and our potential is limitless.

I am concerned, however, that our outdated, dilapidated and inadequate facilities no longer meet the educational needs of the students and community. The life span of a new school built today is 50 years. Our schools, the Templeton Center School (built in 1941) and the Baldwinville Elementary School (built in 1925), have far surpassed their life expectancy. Renovations would cost millions of dollars and expenditures would not be reimbursable.

Educationally, one pre-K to (grade) 5 facility makes the most sense. The debate has changed in Templeton, with few saying anymore that we don’t need a new school. Some have said we need a new school but I don’t like the site. There has been an exhaustive search for land, including parcels that have been determined too wet, too costly, and voted down by the community.

The Templeton Center site has been approved by architects, engineers and the Massachusetts School Building Authority. A few have said that we need a new school but is too costly. The cost to Templeton resulting from state reimbursement is 24.8 million. The annual residential tax is $1.74 per 1,000 home valuation.

Frankly, the residents will never get a better deal. And it is likely that we would not be in the funding pipeline again for at least seven to 10 years.

In closing, I am hopeful that on Nov. 9 (Town Meeting) and Dec. 8 (ballot vote) there will be an unprecedented turnout of voters who will exercise their voice and democratic right.

Dr. John Graziano, principal, Baldwinville Elementary and Templeton Center Elementary schools


1 comment:

  1. In my opinion getting the facts behind compulsory education is a must. Before we spend millions on an over priced school in a bad location that will leave us in eternal debt we should look closely at the history of this institution. HistoryofSchool

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