Town Councilor: Don't Bother With Middle School Survey

Town Councilor Bruce Flax told the school board Monday he is angry, and the board should stop surveying people about which middle school to close and get going on a plan.

The Board of Education rank its priorities before it chooses which school to close.

The board voted Oct. 24 to close one of Groton's three middle schools to save money, but has not decided which one to shut down.

The survey asks questions such as “What should the board’s priority be as we consolidate from three to two middle schools?” then offers answers such as the impact on the community, academics and taxpayers. Completed surveys are due Dec. 16.

Flax said the survey is wasting precious time and he questioned whether the board would listen to the results anyway. He challenged the board with this scenario: If parents said they weren't concerned about adult education and health clinics, would the board close West Side Middle School?

"I don't think you would," Flax said, adding that the school is integral to the city.

“The public spoke at the community meetings. Why do you now need a survey? I feel like you’re procrasting and the time wasted will devastate the Groton education community,” Flax said.

Beth Horler, president of the Groton Education Association, told the school board she believes students and teachers at Cutler Middle School are owed an apology .

Shirvell said on Nov. 28 that Groton schools will start the next fiscal year $3.7 million in the hole if they try to keep three middle schools open, and he believes they will be forced to close Cutler Middle School by default.

"Students that I personally know were in tears becausen they were convinced that a decision had been made by the board and not yet shared with them,” Horler said.

Susan Chase Hildebrand said perhaps the school was targeted because teachers question decisions and are therefore unfairly labeled as "whiners."

“They are not whining when they comment on changes or directives,” she said. “Instead, in spite of Groton’s current atmosphere of intimidation, misinformation and half-truths, they have the courage to speak out when they believe that decisions are not being made with the best interests of the students in mind.”

Lea Kennedy said her employer heard from a school board member after she expressed her views at one of the community forums about middle school consolidation.

Kennedy said former school board member Jennifer Sim called her boss expressing concern about comments Kennedy made at the public meeting.

“Whether you agree with my opinion or disagree, we need to have a civil dialogue, and I was actually . . . my breath was taken away,” Kennedy said.

Neil Solar, a math teacher at Cutler Middle School, read a letter signed by teachers at Cutler Middle School asking for a statement of confidence in the school after Shirvell's remark.

"It is disheartening that his colleagues on the board let his remarks go unasnwered," Solar said. "The faculty at Cutler Middle School had been hoping for a disclaimer of Mr. Shirvell's remarks about our school. . . We hoped that it would have been forthcoming."