Swampscott Teachers Union Backs New Elementary School Plan

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The Swampscott Education Association, which represents the district's school teachers, said on Thursday it "fully supports" the town's plan to build twin elementary schools at the existing Stanley School site for all K-4 students in the town.

The proposal, which faces a town meeting vote on Sept. 13 and a townwide vote on Oct. 19 on a $64 million debt exclusion for the project, is for the construction of a K-2 school and Grades 3-4 school at the same Stanley Elementary site, which would then replace the aging existing Hadley (which was built in 1911), Stanley (1929) and Clarke (1952) schools.

"We know that the town values our perspective and we appreciate the weight our opinions hold as the town moves to vote on this issue in the coming weeks," the Swampscott Education Association said in a statement on its social media page. "Before adding our voice to this discussion, we wanted to ensure a dialogue among our members that allowed for all voices and concerns to be heard."

The Association said the proposal was discussed extensively last week in what was the first full meeting of membership since 2019 because of the coronavirus crisis.

The Association said it made its endorsement based on the learning, equity, accessibility and safety benefits of the twin schools that will serve about 900 students.

"Most importantly, we desire to teach the children of Swampscott, Nahant and Boston in conditions that are the most conducive to learning for all children," the Association said. "We want our teachers, paraprofessionals, substitutes, custodians, and administration to put their full energy into providing the students with the best curriculum and practice that allows each child to rise to their potential.

"We want to celebrate their efforts with facilities that enhance what they do."

The twin schools are designed to have separate entrances and footprints for the older and younger students, but share central resources. The Association said it determined the twin schools will also benefit students who require more cognitive and physical development based on how some students in greater need have "thrived" at the high school level.

"We are excited to see this environment created for all of our elementary school students, under one roof, so no student needs to choose a school, or change schools, because of their particular needs," the Association said.

The Association also cited the modernization in ventilation, lighting and other school infrastructure that a new building will bring, especially given the coronavirus concerns of the past 18 months.

The Association said the $98.5 million project, which includes funding from a $34.5 million state grant, should not come at the expense of optimal staff and faculty support for students.

"We know that our community has to be strategic with its resources," the Association said. "We want to express our gratitude to the superintendent, the Swampscott School Committee, the town officials and the residents of this town for making our working conditions and the children's learning conditions of utmost priority. We are committed to teaching our students with excellence in whatever situation we are given.

"We also want to make clear that although we recognize the complexity of the finances in this town, we are addressing the new school as its own issue. We would never want to sacrifice the quality of the teaching staff for the benefit of a building. We believe that the students of this town should have the best of both, and we will always advocate for that."

The Association did say that while it supports the new twin schools as a whole, its individual members should be afforded the opportunity to share their own opinions without fear of ridicule or retribution.

"We encourage a positive dialogue — the kind we facilitate with our students, that comes from respect, empathy, and a desire to engage in a positive way, emphasizing facts and research without dismissing emotion, culture and memory," the union said.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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