[Ed note: My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com.
The following letter is from Beth A. Wittcoff.]
To the Editor:
I am writing as a concerned member of the Southborough community to express my thoughts regarding the proposed Neary Building Project. The decision to vote against the Neary Project was not an easy one, as I have never voted against an override in the 42 years I have lived in Southborough. What I do regret is feeling compelled to speak out due to the lack of strong educational arguments presented in support of the project.
I completely understand that this is a complex undertaking, and I admire the effort that has gone into it. Reflecting on the Town Meeting presentation, however, I continue to have several concerns. I share these concerns now to help ensure that any future proposal of this magnitude is grounded in sound educational principles, thoroughly vetted alternatives, and capable of earning the informed support of the community.”
- Operational Challenges and Overlooked Alternatives
Not all viable options appear to have been thoroughly explored. For instance, the possibility of relocating grades 2–5 to the existing Finn and Woodward schools was dismissed far too quickly. Mr. Malinkowsky’s repeated “no” responses at Town Meeting, when asked about alternatives, suggested a lack of comprehensive evaluation.
Closing Finn—a structurally sound school that has undergone substantial renovations and additions in the past 27 years—seems fiscally shortsighted. This decision also disregards the needs of residents south of Route 9, for whom Finn remains a vital community asset. Additionally, the presumption that only a new school would secure state funding overlooks the fact that other fundable solutions may exist. While I respect the dedication of the Neary Building Committee, their approach has not appeared sufficiently objective. There has been an underestimation of the community’s opposition to closing Finn, the rising costs of new construction, and the implications of a declining enrollment trend.
- MSBA Application Scope
The MSBA application appears to have been explicitly limited to grades 2–5, a restriction that narrowed the scope of possible configurations and solutions. It’s unfortunate that the opportunity to amend the application to consider a broader range of grade configurations and facility uses was not pursued, especially when flexibility might have opened the door to more creative, educationally sound, and cost-effective options. - Grade 5 at Trottier and Questionable Justifications
There seems to be a rigid stance against placing grade 5 at Trottier Middle School, despite available space and the success of similar models in other districts. As a middle school principal for twenty years, I found the implication at Town Meeting—that eighth graders are too intimidating to share a bus with fifth graders—deeply flawed. If such reasoning were consistently applied, kindergartners wouldn’t ride the bus with fifth graders, nor would freshmen with seniors.
Additionally, the argument that fifth graders must remain in a self-contained classroom while older students pass in the halls reflects a limited perspective. A more forward-thinking approach would be to revisit the current middle school schedule, abandon the outdated bell system, and adopt a flexible, student-centered structure. If the goal is to build a 21st-century school, then our educational philosophy and schedules should reflect 21st-century best practices.
- Small Academic Teams and Supportive Transitions
The idea of creating small academic teams for fifth grade appears to have been overlooked. Research consistently shows that the success of transitions to middle school hinges more on school culture and structure than on strict grade configurations. Two-person academic teams can offer the supportive and consistent environment young adolescents need to thrive. - Educator Licensure Concerns
Concerns about educator licensure seem overstated. Elementary-licensed teachers often teach both fifth and sixth grades, and subject-specific teachers routinely cover grades seven and eight within their license areas. Furthermore, school districts frequently support staff in acquiring additional licenses when needed. Licensing logistics should not be an obstacle to innovative, and fiscally responsible planning. - Lack of Specificity in Facility Planning
There has been a lack of clarity regarding the plans for dedicated spaces for the arts and special education. While I agree that these spaces are critical, it is unclear why such facilities could not be renovated or creatively reimagined within the existing Finn and Woodward buildings. - Seeking Fiscally Responsible Solutions
I strongly believe in the value of open, inclusive dialogue as we search for solutions that serve all Southborough students. I am willing to volunteer my time and professional expertise to assist the Neary Building Committee in exploring fiscally responsible options for housing PreK–8 students in Southborough. Time is of the essence, and the community deserves a plan that balances educational integrity with financial responsibility.
Sincerely,
Beth A. Wittcoff
3 Skylar Drive
Thank you for your clear and important letter to MySouthborough. You answered several questions that were asked in response to a post I wrote before the weekend, so it’s probably not necessary for me to respond to the other posts. However, the message that is coming across is very insulting to the communities that make it work for themselves without a lot of money. Seriously. Think about it.
If the District can arrange for the students to be housed elsewhere for the construction of a new school, then the District can figure out a way to house the students while the Town reaches a consensus on a solution. But this assumes that Neary needs to be closed right away and that simply is not the case. Let’s pretend for a second that the EPA came in and said the water is contaminated (due to the landfill, aka former dump), and students can no longer be in the building. What then? What would the District do in that scenario?
For the record, the thing that concerned me the most when I went to the Special Town Meeting was crossing paths with a 4th-grade teacher at Neary, Mr. Finneran. My son had the absolute luck and pleasure to have Mr. Finneran and Mrs. Theve for 4th grade. It was wonderful. Fifth grade, on the other hand, well, that’s another story. (And I do find it ironic that the unsavory incident involving race issues concerned a 5th-grade teacher. It made me wonder whether it was the same one.) But I digress….
The pause is not to become idle but to engage in dialogue like we are having here. I do not doubt that the NBC and Select Board are listening. And I agree that a lot of time, energy, and effort have been invested in this process.
.
I was on the other side of this issue although I will concede most of these points, although dismissing the age gap between 5th and 8th grade seems a little odd. Surely a middle school principal can think of what dividing line might exist between age 11 and age 14 that does not separate K/4 or 9/12, no? Different topics of conversation, ykwim? Still, that’s probably a solvable problem somehow. But your broader point, which I think is valid, is that the NBC really did not offer a depth of analysis and response to support their opposition to this structure, and those tepid non-answers were a bad look.
Thank you Beth for your thoughtful input. I agree 100% with her approach to the challenges we face. The powers that be should include her in future planning. Let’s use the great buildings we have to their fullest capacity instead of imposing more hardships on the average residents of Southboro by building a hugely expensive new school that we don’t need.