Give Our Youth

The Benefit Of Our Vision

To the Editor:

The Newtown High School expansion project appears to have reached impasse. Some believe this project is ill-advised for reasons which have been debated, refuted, reaffirmed, and perhaps still unresolved in the minds of those who remain skeptical. The Board of Education has provided additional information, greater detail, and a decidedly compelling validation for this proposal. It’s time to make a choice.

We agree as a community that our flagship school is struggling to cope with severe overcrowding; we agree that our students’ needs are not being adequately met as a result; we agree that it is our responsibility as a community to address these concerns in a reasonable, timely, and appropriate way. But what we do not agree on is the contention that this particular proposal is too large. I cannot understand why, in the light of reason, this uncertainty persists. Accepting the vagaries of projections is one thing; applying what we do know is another. For example, it is an incontrovertible fact that in the year 2010, Newtown High School will have over 1,800 students within its walls. These are not projections; these are students currently enrolled in the Newtown Public School system.

 Given this fact, I would ask every taxpayer the following: Does it make sense to undertake a project of this magnitude for anything less than 2,000 students? Is it logical to redesign now, knowing what we know of history and growth? If 1,800 students are already in the pipeline, does it make sense to expand to a finite capacity of 1,900? Have we so lost sight of reason that we would abandon vision and foresight for the sake of economizing? Would this be considered good stewardship of our schools?

I believe that we chart our future by providing for our youth. Let’s give them the benefit of strong leadership, sound planning, and lasting vision. It’s the surest investment we’ll ever make.

Lisa Schwartz

Board of Education

7 Merlins Lane, Newtown                                                  April 2, 2008