To the Editor:
Why I’m voting for the new Tisbury School: I am a proud member of the Tisbury School community — a parent of two graduates who spent their entire K-8 years at the school, who thrived under the guidance of the incredible, devoted faculty, staff, administrators. A former member of six years of the school advisory committee. And a constant cheerer at theater productions, sporting events, you name it. My kids will never attend the proposed new Tisbury School, and my tax bills will go up, yet I support the new school 100 percent.
From a purely economic perspective, the new school will cost a lot. That’s true. Yet to renovate and add to the existing school would cost more than building a new school. And to renovate only the existing building would cost the town well over $20 million, for a building that would not meet current education standards. In all likelihood, the state would not pay any of that, given that the new building would not meet current standards.
On top of that, for either option, the students would be forced to live through the noisy, disruptive work for years. This puts the most vulnerable kids — the kids who need support the most — at even greater risk, and could lead to many missing out on invaluable, life-altering experiences. As an adult, it may seem like only a couple of years; to a child, it could be the majority of their middle school experience, their entire third and fourth grades. Imagine how many kids might never realize their passion for theater, basketball, volleyball, and on and on, because the disruptions make it too hard to participate?
Building the new school would also take advantage of over $14 million from the state — money that our town never has to repay — and give us the benefit of experts at no charge who have done this time and time again — experts who would help us avoid the common mistakes, avoid cost overruns and delays, and create the best learning environment for our kids, our future generation.
A group of smart, dedicated, informed people have been looking at options for years. They have reached out repeatedly to leaders and members of the community for input, have consulted with experts in school building, and have spent countless hours looking at all options. I trust their conclusions and dedication, and I agree with those conclusions.
I could give a thousand examples of the educational benefits of the new school — adequate space complying with current standards for English language learners, speech and occupational therapy, math and reading support; kids who need special supports being able to stay with their peers, rather than having to leave their class alone and meet in a room originally meant as a closet; bleachers in the gym that 70-year-old grandparents can get into to support their grandkids and friends without feeling like they’ll tumble trying to climb up; space for collaboration and experimentation, the hallmarks of education of the future; and on and on and on.
By building the new school, we would be giving our kids a school that will prepare them for the 21st century; would meet current standards for educating all kids, including those with special needs; would provide a community building and space for the benefit and pride of all. This, and more, is why I will vote yes for the new school. Yes for our kids.
Karen Burke
Vineyard Haven
