January 4, 2000: For immediate release
From:
Gael Phillips-Spence, Chair
Community Action for Reading Education
(942-7605)
CARE (Community Action for Reading Education) has been working hard to get accurate information out to the citizens of Reading by holding neighborhood coffees and canvassing door-to-door. There are still many questions and some misinformation floating around town that we would like to take this opportunity to address.
Does the new school cause an override?
No. This project is already factored into the capital budget.
Is a new school really needed?
Yes. Reading is currently 200 students over capacity, resulting in
children taught on stages, in hallways, closets and trailers. Within
six years, 400 additional students will enter the elementary schools.
We need a school NOW to provide facilities for these children.
Have alternative solutions been explored?
Yes. The least expensive solution, because of state reimbursement, is
the one on the ballot.
Isn't it okay to 'do nothing'?
No. There is no way to avoid spending money on the enrollment
problem. This project will receive 66% reimbursement of principal and
interest from the State -- over $15 million of OUR state tax dollars
returned to Reading. This allows Reading to frugally maximize use of
our local tax dollars.
Why can't we use space at the high school?
This option has been completely explored for over two years. All
available space will be used by high school students within the near
future. Classroom space has been reduced by 32% since 1972 by special
education and curriculum mandates, computers and technology, and
administrative offices. Today’s capacity is under 1400 students --
not 2000.
Doesn't the landfill and other town-wide fiscal needs mean we can’t
afford this project?
No, it has essentially no impact. The alternative to this project
(buying temporary classrooms and completing necessary repairs to
Barrows and Killam) costs only $850,000 less than the new school.
Won't this project only make a difference of a few students per classroom? This assumption is erroneously based on oversimplification and dividing the total K-5 population by the number of classrooms. To arrive at an accurate number one needs to consider the number of students per grade per school.
Doesn't quality education occur regardless of facilities?
Excellent teachers will not stay in Reading if forced to teach in
trailers, hallways and on stages. Lack of storage space also affects
curriculum offerings.
How does Reading benefit if this project passes?
We have a long term solution to our enrollment problem that enhances
the town’s worth rather than squanders our finances on stop gap
measures.
What happens if the question is defeated?
Reading will receive ZERO dollars from state aid and will be forced to
spend $7 million Reading tax dollars on temporary classrooms and
essential repairs to Killam and Barrows.
We encourage all residents to know the facts before the January 11 election date. There will be a televised public hearing on Friday, Janaury 7 at 7:00PM at the Reading High School Lecture Hall. The School, School Building and Finance Committees, and the Town Manager will state the facts and answer your questions. We encourage people to attend.