The Future of Harborside Middle School Debated in Milford

The Board of Education has reached a “consensus” that the future of Harborside Middle School is not as a K-8 school.

The Board of Education is in the midst of studying both short and long term changes to the school system because of declining enrollment. One of the long-term options the board considered was transforming Harborside from a middle to a K-8 school.

To convert Harborside to a K-8 school would have cost $650,000, officials reported. It also could have meant the closing of two existing elementary schools. School officials are considering closing at least one elementary school.

School Board Chairwoman Susan Glennon said she personally opposed turning Harborside into a K-8 facility. She said besides the $650,000 costs, she has concerns about young children going there because the building was designed for middle school students.

Glennon also said transportation costs could also increase. A majority of school board members agreed with Glennon and a consensus was reached not to convert Harborside long-term into a K-8 school.

If the board had proceeded with the K-8 speciality Harborside school it would have been 540 students from the existing elementary and middle schools that would have been eligible for Harborside and speciality course offerings.

Glennon said she’d like to offer speciality course offerings to all students and not just a select few.

“i’d like to see all the students get something cool like that,” Glennon said.

She added that converting Harborside to a K-8 school could mean closing an additional elementary school, which means redistricting again.