Long Range Planning Committee Final Recommendation or Board Chair's Preference?

Tonight was the last meeting of the Long Range Planning Committee and it was very surprising.  The expectation was that a “Final” recommendation for a Long Term Plan Design would be decided to present to the Board of Education during their March 24th meeting at City Hall.  I attended the LRPC March 4th meeting where a vote was taken across the committee on preferred long-term alternatives.  There were (6); Status Quo - 2 HS, 3 Middle Schools, and 8 Elem schools, Alternatives D&E which were single high schools, with Alternative D being a new HS.  During the vote, it was unanimous that these options were off the table.  The remaining “3” others which involved “Theme Schools”.  There was one with a K-8 Theme school with no HS Specialty, one with a K-8 and 9-12 Theme school (Foran/Law), and the last with a 9-12 Theme Schools (Foran/Law). Of these 3 options, the second option which would make Harborside a K-8 Theme school as well as implementing a Specialty school within Foran and Law, thus retaining our 2 HS was recommended.  Going into this evening’s meeting, I was expecting, based on last week’s consensus to see that option approved. 

Mike Zuba (Milone & MacBroom) opened the meeting discussing the Near-Term Recommendation.  It was no surprise that the Near Term recommendation would be a K-5/6-8 within “7” Elementary Schools, with obvious redistricting. They did not make mention on the details of the redistricting and which school would be closed as a result.  Mrs. Jagoe asked that someone open a motion to end the discussion, Diane Dumais made the 1st, followed by a 2nd motion by another committee member. The motion passed unanimously to go with this Near-term solution. However, Board Chair Susan Glennon did raise a K-4/5-8 configuration during discussion as an option, but not taken to a vote.

Mike Zuba then moved to discussion surrounding the Long Term Recommendation, he brought up the PowerPoint presentation identifying the “6” Alternatives they reviewed during the March 4th meeting.  He had crossed out the top “3” options which reflected the Status quo (the current 8 Elementary, 3 Middle, and 2 High Schools) and the other 2 single high school options and highlighted the remaining 3 Options with included Theme schools.  Based on the votes taken from the March 4th meeting, it was obvious that the K-8 and 9-12 Theme Schools (6 Elementary, 2 Middle Schools, 2 High Schools). 

In a surprising comment, despite this vote taken by the entire committee last week, Board Chair Susan Glennon surprised the room by attempting to champion a Single High School solution.  I could see it took some committee members by surprise, including the consultants.  Despite comments coming from Mrs. Jagoe and Diane Dumais on the negative perception amongst the public, Susan Glennon continued to push this option to the remaining committee for some time during the discussion. 

Dr. Feser raised a concern on how to address parents’ questions on her view of K-8.  It was indicated that there was a lot of support for K-8 made by the residents during the Public form. Susan Glennon stated that there were only about 35 people at the public forum who spoke out in support of K-8, then simply referred to the survey.

Susan DiBiase asked a question surrounding the cost with implementing a Specialty school and how it would impact the budget. Dr. Feser mentioned there would be costs for program, material, equipment, and construction, but it appear that no one actually knows the cost.

A concern was raised with what would happen to teachers as a result of these changes.  Mike Cummings indicated by establishing a Magnet School, like Fine Arts, this new addition will offset any reduction.

 The Committee then started their votes on the “3” Themed School options…However, even with the committee coming to a consensus, Board Chair Susan Glennon continued to recommend the committee present several options on the table for the Board of Education to review. 

One question was raised on what would happen if another board came in and chose not to go forward with the recommendations.  It was said it could happen, but Mr. Richetelli indicated that once that it is locked in for construction that it is a done deal.  However, he did mention that West Shore Middle school was in need of an expansion.

The most surprising comment made during the evening came from Dr. Feser asking if all options will be presented to the Board of Education for review.

At this point, I began to wonder what was going through the minds of some of the committee members.  They have been involved in this exercise since June of last year and here they are in their last meeting and the Superintendent and Board Chair are not looking for their recommendations but all the options. This would make any rational person wonder if all this was a smoke screen and a complete waste of these people’s time.

I went back to the June 11,2013 Kickoff for the Long Range Planning Committee and looking at page 3 (BOE’s Vision Statement), it read that “The Milford Board of Education is establishing a Long Range Planning Committee.  The primary charge of the Committee is to provide recommendation, looking five (5) to ten (10) years out, for the design of a school system that reflects its vision, in light of declining enrollment, and takes into consideration budget, facilities, resources, and educational programs.” This is a tall task for parents who may not be familiar with the school system.  But listening to the comments coming from Board Chair Susan Glennon and Dr. Feser, it is obvious that it will not be the Board’s vision, but their own blind ambition that will guide the direction our school system takes.