Reaction Mainly Positive to School Reorganization

Grafton School Committee representatives and members of the community expressed support for the new grade reorganization that was approved unanimously at last night’s meeting.

The new school organization will be as follows:

Two schools for pre-K, kindergarten and grade one students at the current and

Grades 2-6 in two schools, the current and

Grades 7 and 8 at the current Grafton High School.

Grades 9-12 at the new

These changes will take effect in September 2012.

This changes the current plan, which would put students in grades 2, 3 and 4 in one building and grades 5 and 6 in another.

But there were also concerns raised about the transitions, potential cost and the importance of communication.

Here is a sampling of the comments from town residents who attended the meeting on Oct. 11.

Leslie St. Jean said she had concerns about two elementary schools, but thought the parent-teacher groups could work together, or possibly unite to form one larger group.

Connie Hopkins supported the plan but said she hoped it would not cost the town money, since, with everything else on its fiscal plate, “I can’t see the town being overly receptive’’ to added costs.

Damian Sgrue, an educator and a Grafton resident, said the reorganization is “the only plan that takes the children into consideration.’’ He also liked the two smaller elementary schools and said that”the enormity of Grafton Elementary School makes [students] feel like a number.’’

Elaine Najemy, president of the Grafton Teachers Association, said that teachers generally support the plan but that communication was crucial to making it work.

“A great plan is a great plan until you put it in the classroom and it falls on its face,’’ she said. Working together and planning carefully will minimize potential problems, she said.