- It seems
rather obvious this location is not what people were "expecting."
In fact, the proposed location of the 5-8 wing is not where anyone,
including the board of education, started their thinking. It is
probably fair to say, that most people assumed any construction
would be done south of the high school. However, as the issues
were addressed, and the most important aspects of the decision
were considered, the reasons to locate the addition where it is
now proposed were quite compelling. Those reasons have to do with
the academic issues associated with these students, as well as
developmental and social issues. Of course, the efficient use
of staff and facilities is also a key.
-
It is somewhat difficult to find reasons why it would be to our
students' advantage to locate the middle school south of the existing
high school or detached from the high school. One of the major
considerations is sharing staff and facilities (why build two
band rooms when one will do? etc.). Not only would a south location
put the students farther away from the "shared" spaces,
if the new building were detached, students and staff would be
forced to travel outside between buildings to get to shared facilities,
resulting in numerous potential difficulties.
-
It is to the board of education's credit, we believe, that they
were able to process this type of "teaching and learning"
information as being more important than meeting their preconceived
idea of where a building might be located. The easy thing would
have been to propose what people were expecting, but it wasn't
the most important thing. We have confidence that, in the long
run, informed voters will not limit themselves to a "where
it is" issue, but will focus on a "what it can do for
kids" issue. We believe district patrons will be supportive
if they understand that decisions have been based on what we believe
is best for kids.
-
It would, we're sure, be fair to say that this plan moved forward
in part because during the two years that we have had all 5th
graders at Williamstown, we have become increasingly aware that
curriculum, instructional and school improvement issues for 5th
grade fit much better with 6-8 than with K-4. Although it may
not be the common perception, we also know that 5th graders in
this day and age developmentally have more in common with 6-8
than they do with K-4.
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