Acton PTO Co-Chairs Support Regionalization

The PTO Co-Chairs (named below) support the expansion of regionalization to include Pre-K to grade 6, and believe it is an opportunity we should fully embrace at our June 3^rd Special Town Meeting.

As PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) Co-Chairs of the Acton Elementary Schools, we have been paying attention to Regionalization and the work of the Regional Study Committee from the beginning - having hosted numerous forums at our schools throughout the last 18 months. During that time, we as PTO members did have concerns about this issue, which we brought to the Regional Study Committee. Those issues were heard and promptly addressed, and issues that others in both towns brought up were likewise addressed.

This group did the majority of the critical thinking for us, and with the help of community input along the way, the holes have already been poked and this agreement reflects that.  As the committee learned more, listened more, and heard more, they changed the plan, reworked the financials, and put it out to the communities.  What we have now is the culmination of all of that work, an agreement based on compromise that benefits all.

As leaders within the elementary school community, we see every day how, while our schools and administrators do a tremendous job, many needs remain unfilled. The demand for All-Day Kindergarten greatly exceeds available space, yet more ADK classrooms could be offered at Blanchard immediately.  We have art, music and SPED programs operating in hallways and corners of cafeterias, yet if enrollment shifts enough to open rooms in Acton schools, we will be able to have those programs in classrooms where they belong.  In addition, possibilities exist to create new SPED programs at Blanchard and bring our children currently educated in other towns back to our community.  An immediate result of Regionalization is a significantly stronger School Committee, one that will represent the views of school age parents when there are important financial decisions to be made.  These are just a few of the benefits we see that will positively impact our schools as a result of expanded regionalization.

We are concerned that if this does not pass at both Town Meetings we may not again be able to assemble such a qualified and dedicated team to address the issue.  And the compelling reasons for Regionalizing, those of improved finances, improved efficiencies and far-reaching educational benefits, will still exist.  These potential benefits are absolutely not going away.  We may just end up having to try this all over again at some later date. 

Please come to Town Meeting on Monday, June 3 and vote “yes” on Regionalization.

Ranjini Reddy, Chair, Conant PTO

Cathy Gallinger, Treasurer, Conant PTO
Marybeth Quaadgras, Secretary, Conant PTO

Maureen Flynn, Senior Co-Chair, Gates School PTO
Chris Moroney, Junior Co-Chair, Gates School PTO
Philip Tsang, Treasurer, Gates School PTO
Kara Bayer, Assistant Treasurer, Gates School PTO
Janice Martineau, Corresponding Secretary, Gates School PTO
Raji Srinivasan, Recording Secretary, Gates School PTO

Kate Murray, Co-Chair, McCarthy-Towne School PTO

Kristina Rychlik, Co-Chair, Merriam School PTO

Tina Hamilton, Co-Chair, Merriam School PTO