To the Editor:
I love New England: The change of seasons, cold, snowy winters, hot, humid summers, in fact, everything about it. The underdog grittiness of its people and its architecture make its heartbeat. The wood, stone, brick and mortar form its backbone. Its history, culture, beaches, farms, salt air, and mountains are its conscience.
With this in my soul and some reservation. I voted “yes” to demolish a classic example of New England architecture, otherwise known as the Tisbury School. It is the most iconic and beautiful town-owned building, in my opinion.
The townspeople overwhelmingly voted for an $850,000 study on how to deal with the failing building. The state agreed to earmark several million dollars for a project. It was not “if” something needed to happen, but when, how, and at what cost.
How could I vote no? A well-respected jury of my peers, armed with the comprehensive feasibility study, in a democratic process, chose to demolish the school and build anew. The option was the least burdensome to taxpayers, and I respected and appreciated their opinion.
The townspeople, however, did not agree at the ballot box. Nothing was done, and the state sent the earmarked money to another needy community.
Flash-forward to the present, and we are starting school late, spending who knows how much money to put a Band-Aid on just one of the many problems that have all been previously detailed to us. Something will happen with the building. It must, as we have little choice. Education is the foundation upon which strong communities are built.
For the reasons listed above, I want a beautiful renovation with an addition that will satisfy the needs of the staff and schoolchildren of today and the future. The residents of Tisbury deserve a building of which we can all be proud. With the state money, this was already an expensive option. Now, with the money off the table, even if the size of the addition is reduced, it’s going to cost more. A lot more.
Just like the experts told us.
Steve Kelly
Tisbury
Steve well put. I am aware of the long history for the need to renovate the school. I have attended the meetings, and have been concerned for the past 10 years of the issues with the school. I have not heard person from the school administration that accepts responsibility for the lack of advocacy in getting out the vote, that ultimately failed by a few. I call on the resignation of the Superintendent as the only way he can show a lack of foresight and care in dealing with this issue.