Parents for Open Choice Expansion

Glastonbury CT is considering closing 2 of its elementary schools due to declining enrollment, a decision that may forever alter its fabulous educational system.  We oppose those closures.  A large contingency of residents believe the enrollment projections the board is using in its decision making process are based on erroneous factual information and will not prove accurate.  

On the other hand, Hartford CT is only about 6 miles away and has children already on a waiting list, hoping to be allowed to enroll in high quality suburban schools such as Glastonbury's.  To date, Glastonbury has resisted efforts to expand its participation in this program (known as Open Choice) and we believe that Open Choice could be a creative solution in expanding Glastonbury's commitment to the regional educational program created by the State as a result of the Sheff case, while at the same time increasing revenue and reducing pressure to close schools.

OPEN LETTER TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, SUBMITTED ON JUNE 20, 2014:

To: Members of the Glastonbury Board of Education

From:  Suzann L. Beckett

 RE:  Follow up to School Closure / Open Choice Hearing on June 9th

         Information for Meeting on June 23rd

 As a former resident of Glastonbury, and current resident of Hartford, I have been fascinated by the recent discussions about the possible closure of Eastbury and Naubuc. 

I am in a unique position to contribute to this discussion because I was educated in Glastonbury and am familiar with all of our local schools. There was virtually no integration back in the 60s and 70s, and things have improved markedly since then.   But, there is more work to be done, as I still saw a sea of mostly white faces at the GHS graduation ceremony on Monday night.   There were minority families and students, to be sure, but the percentage isn’t where we many of us would like to see it.   None of our students’ school communities seem to be anywhere near as integrated as their adult worlds will be once they graduate.

When I attended the Magnet Schools of America conference in Hartford a month or so ago, I was discouraged to find out how many Hartford children still lack access to quality high-performing suburban schools. Many have applied to the Open Choice lottery for placement, but there aren’t enough available seats.   During the conference luncheon, I had an epiphany when I remembered reading just a week or so previously that Glastonbury was about to close 2 of its most beloved elementary schools.   I immediately saw a huge opportunity to benefit both communities in a fabulous and powerful way.   What one needs, the other has, and vice versa.   I was invigorated by the possibilities.

I wrote a letter to the Citizen about the issue a week or so later, and attended the Board of Education hearing on school closings on June 9th.   At least 3 speakers at the hearing raised the idea of using Open Choice students and corresponding grant money to, possibly, allow us to keep Eastbury and Naubuc open.   I’d like to strongly encourage the Board to consider doing so.

In response to Lisa Furbush’s statement at the end of the June 9th meeting that she’d like more information about Open Choice, I offer some of my recent findings with the Board. I hope you will find the attached data as interesting as I do, and also hope it may help frame some of the discussion on Monday, June 23rd. 

We all know decisions need to be made, but there is a strong underlying urgency in making the right decision. It scares me that the proposed date for Eastbury’s closure is literally right around the corner. What a shame if ongoing debate and uncertainty starts to negatively affect that school as staff, teachers and possibly even principals begin looking for alternative employment and job security.   This could happen very easily and very quickly.   By the time we realize we need Eastbury open after all because, for example, all of the planned 59 construction permits are actually issued in the next 24 months (creating a development full of school age children), it may be too late to stop the damage that’s been done.

Similarly, Naubuc is a great neighborhood school and could easily be temporarily “saved” by increasing Open Choice students there. Inexplicably, Glastonbury doesn’t offer any Open Choice seats at Naubuc, even though it is the most logical for Open Choice students due to its low enrollment, existing demographics, and easy access to Hartford.   That "no-admit" policy could be changed in a single phone call by the Superintendent to CREC. 

I firmly believe Open Choice is a program that should be investigated, explored, and considered as a possible solution to the imminent closure of Eastbury and Naubuc. 

Would the Board be willing to reconsider its denial of the 27 children the State asked us to take in February?   If the Board, for example, took 10 K, 1st and 2nd graders at Eastbury and 17 K, 1st and 2nd graders at Naubuc, that would fill some empty seats, add some monies back into the Board of Education coffers without any significant corresponding expenditure, and could be a step toward further Open Choice expansion in the years ahead.   Or, if nothing else, the Town might buy itself an extra year or 2 to carefully consider its options with regard to the school system and to develop a long term strategic plan.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard a number of unsubstantiated, albeit persistent, statements about how Hartford Open Choice students need so much remedial help throughout their school careers (not true) and/or that they’re involved in the criminal justice system at high percentages (not true). I’ve also been told Glastonbury doesn't take any child above kindergarten age because older children can’t catch up (they can and do).   I hope the attached documentation will give you some objective insight into how these rumors are, truly, just rumors and how other towns take many more children, children of all ages, sibling groups, and do so very successfully. 

The truth is Hartford kids are just like Glastonbury kids – they dream, they aspire, and they want success. They just happen to live in an area where their life ceilings may be a little lower than the ceilings for the Glastonbury children, because of circumstances beyond their control.   Hartford residents care about education and, just like Glastonbury parents, want their children to have better opportunities than they did.   Think, just for a moment, how important education must be to a mother and father that will send their 5 year old child on a bus, not just across town as discussed at the hearing, but across town lines -- so he/she can get a better education.   Hartford parents care. Hartford children care.   And they will succeed given the opportunity.

I hope the enclosed package is helpful and piques your interest in learning more.   However, I am well aware that no words on a page can replace the give and take of a thoughtful conversation and exchange of ideas.   Therefore, I strongly encourage the Board to consider hosting David Daye, CREC’s Managing Director for the Open Choice program, at a community forum at the Glastonbury Community Center or other appropriate venue.   Mr. Daye is well versed in Open Choice and would be willing to share many of the little-known details of the program and, importantly, he can also provide first-hand information about other districts’ experiences (although correspondence from a former Avon official is attached and may be of some interest in the interim). Mr. Daye can be reached at ddaye@crec.org or by phone at (860) 524-4014.  

Thank you for your time.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE OPEN CHOICE PROGRAM IN GLASTONBURY SCHOOLS!!

*** Update:  Some speakers on June 23rd, and 10 of 12 speakers on July 7th spoke in favor of Open Choice but, unfortunately, the Board did not consider Open Choice as an alternative to closing schools in their deliberations.  Despite approximately 50 people speaking in favor of neighborhood schools and/or Open Choice over 3 hearings, the Board's discussion on July 7th was limited to "when" to close 2 schools and not "whether" to close the schools.   We are undeterred and continue to seek community support in asking the Town to reconsider.  As Glastonbury resident Michele Mudrick asked on July 7th, "WHY won't the Town take the 22 children it rejected for 2014-2015?"  We're still waiting for an answer.  Thank you for your support!