Keep Eastbury and Naubuc Elementary Schools OPEN

I do not support the proposed closure of any Glastonbury elementary school at this time

Glastonbury’s Board of Education is considering recommendations by the Superintendent of the Glastonbury school system to close up to 2 elementary schools.  This recommendation is based on potentially flawed enrollment projections, based largely on the trend of recent enrollment figures.  These projections are influenced heavily by the recent downturn in the US and Connecticut’s economy that has resulted in lower housing turnover and new home development.  Both of these factors (in the other direction) previously contributed to the need for expanding our elementary system, including the 2007 building of the Nayaug Elementary School.   There is too much risk to our children’s education and the value of our town and homes if this recommendation proceeds without careful deliberation.

This affects all of us

All Glastonbury could be adversely impacted if this recommendation proceeds unchecked.  Glastonbury enjoys one of the most well-respected education reputations in our State, and the Hartford area.  Many residents desire to live here and raise a family because of this asset.  In fact, there is renewed interest in building new homes in Glastonbury, including the recently announced subdivision off of Hebron Avenue being developed by Toll Brothers.  And with home values beginning to recover, homes are turning over to younger, developing families.  The neighborhood elementary schools, the quality of teacher to student relationships and passionate parent involvement in our schools is a driving force in our town’s value proposition, which is supported by the relatively high property taxation we experience.  If this education asset is diminished, we will all suffer in lower property values.

In addition, for those of us with children in grades K-5, any school closing and eventual consolidation will require redistricting.  Meaning most of our children will face the risk of moving to a new school – even to schools that are not close to home.  Redistricting will affect all school-age children.  The anxiety this will create is entirely avoidable, but only if we act now.

If projections are incorrect and the trend reverses, it is not unlikely that Glastonbury will need to rebuild another school.  Once an existing school is closed, it cannot be reopened due to current building code requirements.  The result is either costly refurbishments or a new school – a very costly miscalculation.

Recommendation is based on flawed logic

The current recommendation put forward by the Superintendent’s office is based primarily off of trending actual enrollment from recent past, placing particular reference on the period from 2008 to current, when Glastonbury, Connecticut and the country have been affected by a severe recession.  We are fast approaching recovery from this time – and this view has not been adequately vetted by the Superintendent’s office or the Board of Education.  Before making such a severe choice – one that is difficult and costly to reverse, we should all voice our view that the town should thoroughly vet these projections.  Before moving forward on any recommendation, the Board and the public should be shown all projections and the key assumptions used therein, such as birth rate, new development, and assumptions for new school-age residents from existing housing turnover.  Also, if these projections are based on similar historical studies, an analysis of how well those long-term studies fared against actual enrollment figures should be publicly acknowledged.

The discussion and recommendations being considered are extremely dangerous to our kid’s education and our home values and Glastonbury should come together to oppose the current recommendations in lieu of a long-term study and analysis covering the next 3 to 5 years.   Certainly we should err on the side of caution and protect one of this towns most valued assets, it's education system.

I do not support the closing of any school in Glastonbury at this time.

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