Local PTOs / PISC Support the WHS Rebuild Project

The Parents Inter-School Council (PISC), including all PTO presidents of Winchester public schools, expresses our strong support for the Winchester High School (WHS) rebuild project.  As PTO presidents and leaders of educational organizations, we are familiar with the challenges faced by our school district and understand the need to address them in a financially responsible manner.

In reviewing the WHS project, it is clear to us that there are three key challenges that must be addressed:

• The current, 41 year old building is plagued with significant maintenance costs, no exterior insulation, single pane windows, roofing leaks, mold, and air quality issues.

• In the last decade, Winchester has ranked in the top 10% in enrollment growth across the state. WHS grapples with a lack of classroom capacity to accommodate the growing student population.  This problem will become worse as our increasing enrollment of elementary students move into the high school over the next several years.  In addition, 50% of our current classrooms are undersized by state standards.

• Our high school design does not support the needs of a modern, dynamic learning environment.  Teaching styles and technology have evolved greatly in the last 40+ years, and we need the infrastructure to support it.

We believe the proposed project is a fiscally responsible approach to the long-term education needs facing our community.  The MSBA approval and contribution of $44.5 million provides significant support and covers one-third of the total expense.  If the override fails, the MSBA funding will no longer be available to Winchester.  However, issues will continue to plague our school, and there will still be significant expense required.

While some would argue that WHS’s recent Blue Ribbon recognition indicates that all is well, it simply demonstrates the perseverance of our teachers and students despite a deficient facility. As the building continues to deteriorate, its limitations will make it more difficult and costly to maintain that level of excellence. 

It is important that all residents learn as much as possible about the project to make an informed decision before the vote on December 10th.  Please attend an upcoming forum or tour for more information.  Visit http://campaignforwhs.com/  for a schedule of events.  We also encourage exploring the WHS project website, including FAQs: http://winchesterhsproject.com/faqs/.

We continue to be committed to our community, our children, and to making our schools all they can be.

Your Winchester Parents Inter-School Council (PISC) members:

Cindy Luthern – PISC Co-Chair

Paige Bertocci – PISC Co-Chair

Samantha Allison – Ambrose PTO

Denise Goluboff – Ambrose PTO

Sarah Jones Girotti – Lincoln PTO

Cristina Seckinger – Lincoln PTO

Kerrie Cutting – Lynch PTO

Deborah DePeter – Lynch PTO

Alison Bayiates – McCall PTO

Kate Carpini – McCall PTO

Kristen Bellaire – Muraco PTO

Samantha Shanley – Muraco PTO

Brenda Mandile – Vinson-Owen PTO

Monica Ross – Vinson-Owen PTO

Malini Dutta – WHS PFA

Audrey Loria – WHS PFA

Linda McDonough – Parent-to-Parent