A Taxpayer’s Proposal For the

High School Expansion

To the Editor:

It’s time for Newtown citizens to thoughtfully consider what, where, and how their education tax dollars are being spent for facilities.

We are hearing much about expansion of the existing Newtown High School to alleviate projected overcrowding.

Let’s remember that overcrowding in the K–5 grades was addressed earlier which resulted in the Reed 5/6 school. What we should have anticipated from that situation was that the problem was not solved for the whole system. Now is the time to thoughtfully address it, but first we must consider the following points:

éBased on the forecast for 2008–2010, there will be overcrowding at the high school in the near future.

éThe middle school must undergo much needed major renovations and upgrades. At the present time, we have not been officially informed as to the scope and cost for what most likely will be mandatory facility improvements/repairs.

éThe Board of Education is currently proposing that the new high school addition be designed to segregate the ninth grade students from upperclassmen. The design will include expanding the gym and/or duplicating cafeteria facilities.

I offer the following proposal based on what we learned from solving the K–5 overcrowding problem; for reference, I was a member of that subcommittee.

éThe new fifth and sixth grade school came about as an alternative and financial opportunity to eliminate concurrent building expansions and their related costs as well as costly interruptions at all individual K–5 schools.

éBy removing the fifth grade students from each school, it allowed the K–4 schools more space to accommodate their growth, alleviated overcrowding, and focused financial resources on building one optimum facility.

éIt also reduced overcrowding at the middle school because all of those sixth graders were accommodated at the new 5/6 school, providing expansion for seventh and eighth grades within the existing facility.

Again we have the opportunity to be financially responsible while addressing the overcrowding at the high school.

I propose to the Board of Education that they consider the benefits of adding grade 9 to the seventh and eighth grade middle school which accomplishes the following:

éEliminates $40 million to $80 million requested for the high school expansion.

éProvides for funding of the required middle school renovations, upgrades, and additions.

éUses dollars allotted to create an optimum seventh, eighth, ninth grade facility.

éReduces construction and related cost to one facility location.

éImproves an existing older educational facility.

éSegregates the ninth grade students from upperclassmen, which the current high school expansion proposes to do.

This simply means that eighth grade students will remain at the middle school for one more year, addresses the pupil to teacher/room ratio criteria including gym, cafeteria, and playing fields. It also meets our obligation to renovate and upgrade the existing middle school.

For those who say this impacts the JV high school sports program, it would seem feasible that shuttle service could accommodate those who qualify for these programs for a lot less tax dollars than the $40 million to $80 million cost of a new segregated expansion at the high school.

For those concerned about Queen Street congestion, I further propose that the town secure a new entrance from Church Hill Road through the old Grand Union parking lot to the middle school, which will divert traffic from Queen Street. The existing Hawley School traffic control point could provide double duty for both schools.

I believe that this proposal would address overcrowding throughout the system and use taxpayers’ money in an efficient and results-driven manner.

Sincerely,

Walter S Motyka

5 Kent Road, Newtown                                                  July 5, 2006