To the Editor:

Residents and visitors extol the beauty and character of our downtown. Historic buildings, faithfully serving the purpose for which they were designed a century ago, are vibrant reminders of Newtown’s heritage.

Our downtown schools are the epitome of that heritage. They’re beloved icons, beautiful and still fulfilling our needs.

Debating decisions to close these downtown, historic schools must not be made in an “education-only-vacuum.”  Such a decision, based on education needs alone, ignores the cultural and historic legacy of Newtown.

Few will fault our school superintendent’s affirmation that any school closings will be “examined through the lens of instruction and impact to students.”

But his “lens” is shortsighted, even myopic. Long after the superintendent and students under his tutelage have moved on, their enduring legacy could be this: two once-proud schools decrepit, under-utilized or empty.  The nationwide record of “repurposed schools” is not pretty.

As taxpayers we’re all very cognizant of making the most of educational dollars.

It’s easy to criticize. Our school and town boards are faced with wrenching decisions. Rather than second-guess their future decisions, would they consider these options to keep the downtown schools open:

Hawley as k-1; Queen Street/Middle School 2-4th, including Hawley, new Sandy Hook and surrounding elementary schools? Or, how about closing one of the outer elementary schools, with a less significant heritage, and bringing their students into town?

Busing is a fact of life. Bolstering class integration centered on downtown could enhance Newtown’s “wholeness and unity,” a measure of our community’s character and specialness.

Sincerely,

Charles (Chuck) Fulkerson, Jr.

8 Currituck Road, Newtown                    June 22, 2015