The Board of Education today sent the following email to community members on the issues affecting Coleytown Middle School (CMS), which was closed in September because of air quality issues:
Feedback sought on Coleytown Middle. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Dear Community Members,
Our school district is undergoing an unprecedented situation. Seven weeks ago the Board of Education voted to move students out of Coleytown Middle School and educate them at Bedford Middle School and Staples High School. The board acted quickly to hire both the architect and industrial hygienist to provide third-party evaluations of the condition of the building.
We are sending this communication to the community in order to let you know what actions are being taken by the board to address this situation in both the short- and long-term.
On Monday, Nov. 5 the Board heard a report from KG+D Architects about their assessment of Coleytown Middle School. KG+D offered very preliminary cost estimates of three options to remediate or rebuild Coleytown Middle School ranging from $25 to $70 million. The report is available for viewing at: http://bit.ly/KGD-CMSReport-2018-11-05.
The Board of Education also authorized the creation of an ad hoc townwide committee to advise and make recommendations to the board on the short- and long-term needs of our district’s educational and physical facilities. Our town has precedent for these townwide committees and we are moving expeditiously to activate these. People willing to serve on this committee can send an email expressing their interest to Mark Mathias (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
Ultimately these decisions lie with the board, but we are soliciting community input in order to inform our decision-making.
So, what’s happening next?
First, on Thursday, Nov. 15 at Bedford Middle School at 7:30 p.m., an open meeting will be held where the public can hear from and ask questions of Kris Szabo, CMS principal, Dr. Adam Rosen, BMS principal and James D’Amico, SHS principal about progress at Bedford Middle School and Staples High School. District administrators and members of the Board of Education will also be present.
Second, no later than Monday, Nov. 19 we will be receiving the report from the industrial hygienist on their review and recommendations on Coleytown Middle School.
Third, we are currently constituting the ad hoc townwide committee that will include stakeholders from our town. Dates for the ad hoc committee-related and community events include:
Tuesday, Nov, 13 in Town Hall at 7:30 a.m. — The Finance and Facilities Committee has first on its agenda the “Formation and composition of a townwide committee” that was authorized by the Board last Monday;
Sunday, Nov. 18 in Town Hall at 5 p.m. — Preview to the ad hoc committee by Dr. Colleen Palmer, Superintendent of Schools, the 2019-2020 academic year options;
Monday, Nov. 19 in Staples Cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. — Dr. Palmer will present to and discuss with the Board of Education options for the 2019-2020 academic year;
Tuesday, Nov, 27 in Long Lots Elementary School Auditorium at 7 p.m. — An evening open conversation and public feedback on the options presented;
Wednesday, Nov. 28 in Town Hall at noon. — A daytime open conversation and public feedback on the options presented;
Thursday, Nov. 29 in Town Hall — Ad hoc committee will meet to discuss the 2019-2020 academic year options and make a recommendation to present to the Board of Education;
Monday, Dec, 3 in Staples Cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. — Ad hoc committee will present to the Board of Education their recommendation; and
Monday, Dec, 10 in Staples Cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. — The Board of Education will decide how to proceed for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The challenges our town has faced this academic year are substantial. Closing a school during the school year is not a decision that we take lightly. The situation has affected everyone in our schools and is a test of our ability to handle disruption. Through years of building top teams of teachers, staff and administrators, we are confident in our teachers, staff and administrators.
It’s also clear that this year is different for everyone involved with our education system. This is not the year that anyone planned. Some people have been affected more than others. We have been and continue to work to address everyone’s needs.
Most importantly, we have focused on the safety of our students, faculty and staff and our continuing efforts to provide the top notch education for which Westport is known.
More updates will be coming from Dr. Palmer and the Board of Education as we work through this together.
Finally, we appreciate the feedback we have received from the community. It is your support, varied perspectives and specific insights that help us make decisions that will affect us now and for years to come.
Board members’ individual contact information can be found at: https://www.westportps.org/district/board-of-education/members. Alternatively, the entire Board can be reached by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Videos of our public meetings can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/WPTBoEMeetingVideos.
Regards,
Mark Mathias, Chair
Jeannie Smith, Vice Chair
Elaine Whitney, Secretary
Karen Kleine
Vik Muktavaram
Candice Savin
Neil Phillips
