Mar. 15 -- Shortly after midnight Monday, the Board of Education voted five to four against a motion to approve a grade 5-6 school of one thousand students, leaving on the table for further consideration the options of a 6-8 school with additions to the elementary schools or a 6-8 school and a new elementary school. The vote followed months of debate over the grade configuration the town should select for a new school to relieve serious overcrowding in both the middle school and the elementary schools.
The Board had previously recommended the addition of a new 1,000 pupil Grade 5-6 school, which would have relieved crowded conditiosn in both the current middle school and the town's five elementary schools. A proposal to fund design work for such a school on the recently purchased Ippoliti property was voted down in two successive referenda. (Photo: Rusty Malik of architectural firm Kaestle Boos presents his firm's findings on the cost of expanding the elementary schools)
Tonight's vote on the Grade 5-6 middle school was as follows:
Against: Glen Cordelli, Frank D'Angelo, Bob Opotzner, Chairman Linda Bunyan and Doug Orr.
For: Mary Pat Devine, Maureen Kozlark, Kitty Fischer and John Armato.
Just before the vote, School Superintendent Wallace was asked his opinion on the options facing the board. He expressed
his
preference for a 5-6 school from the standpoint of it being one single
project
which could move forward immediately. He felt that a new Grade 6-8 middle school would require simultaneous construction projects to expand the existing elementary school capacity. (Photo: Superintendent Wallace explains how the various grade configuration options could be implemented.)
Board Chairman Linda Bunyan said she was
concerned that a 1,000 pupil Grade 5-6 school would not be approved by voters, as Ridgefield is a
traditional
town and many would prefer to keep the current 6-8 approach to middle schools. Ms. Bunyan weas joined by other Board members in her concern that there would
be
major opposition from community groups at both Prospect Ridge and Barlow
Mountain to building a 1,000 student school at those locations.
First Selectman Abe Morelli, attending tonight's meeting, noted that the Board should concern itself with what was good for the students and not worry about the site. He stated that every site will have its "Not In My Backyard" opponents, and that both the Board of Education and the Selectmen would have to get out and sell whatever approach the school board chooses.
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