Adams Administrators Against Cheshire Elementary Renovation
ADAMS, Mass. — Adams officials are advocating against the potential closure C.T. Plunkett School as an answer to the regional school district's declining enrollment and rising budget.
The Adams-Cheshire Regional School District has broached the possibility of closing one of its two elementary schools in recent years.
Both Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco and Selectmen Chairman Jeffrey Snoonian have written letters questioning the wisdom of spending millions to renovate Cheshire Elementary School.
Mazzucco sent a letter more than a week ago to Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee Chairman Paul Butler and Superintendent Robert Putnam citing a fiscal 2014 Massachusetts statement of interest for the renovation of Cheshire Elementary. The letter was also sent to Monica Lamboy, senior associate with the University of Massachusetts at Boston's Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management, which is developing recommendations for the school district.
"[The SOI] lists out substantial facility and educational issues with CES and I think you both need to be aware of what the district has already determined regarding the condition of CES," Mazzucco wrote.
The town administrator wrote that Adams will not pay for the renovation of the Cheshire Elementary School.
"Adams would be responsible for a portion of any debt service for a remodel of CES, which is not going to happen," Mazzucco's letter states. "I can assure you this community will not, nor at any time in the future, support a renovation of the CES facility."
Mazzucco and Snoonian both argue that Plunkett would need far less maintenance over the next few years, such as a roof replacement and some brick repointing. Cheshire School, however, is in "dilapidated condition" and has an"inability to provide a consistent environment for learning," Snoonian cited from the statement to interest.
Plunkett can survive until the district shrinks to a point where it can operate in one school - the recently renovated Hoosac Valley High School.
"These future needs at CES as outlined by the district are substantial, and the district clearly questions the educational value of the building," Mazzucco wrote. "Also, keep in mind with the context of this report we know we will be going to a one-building district in the future, so any substantial renovations to CES would not be warranted period."
Snoonian his letter to the editor reiterated many of Mazzucco's points, particularly the cost that would be borne by Adams for what officials feel will be a short-term solution.
"As the chairman of the Select Board and a citizen, I find this unacceptable and it would be irresponsible of me to condone it in any way," he wrote, stating the letter was his opinion and not on behalf of the entire board.
Snoonian added that a renovation would be a "waste of money" and he rather use the already limited funds on Adams town services that have seen major cuts over the past few years.
"For the citizens in Adams to pay roughly 70 percent of the cost to rehab a building in Cheshire that in all likelihood will be deemed unnecessary to the district in 10 years would be a reckless use of town funds," he wrote. "For those who think I'm stumping for Adams and CTP, absolutely I am, but to the folks in Cheshire, ACRSD will be asking you for money as well. Unless there is a secret vault filled with money in Cheshire town hall of which I am unaware you can afford it as well."
Mazzucco also asked that decision-makers take into account Adam's demographics and the "unintended consequences" of closing Plunkett.
"Adams is a poor community ... As a result, our students are primarily low income, and you are all aware of the additional inherent challenges that low-income students face when going to school," he said. "Any decision that might be perceived as disenfranchising a primarily low-income population would at best be considered a cruel affront to social justice, and may even constitute a civil rights violation."
The School Committee is expected to hear the Collins Center's recommendations Feb. 8 and plans to hold a series of input sessions to gather public opinion. The committee will then vote on how to proceed with the intention to make any changes for the 2017-2018 school year.
Tags: ACRSD, cheshire school, Plunkett,
