WESTMINSTER — Thanks for your March 9 editorial that explored middle-school plans in Bellows Falls. This is a once-in-a-half century chance to improve educational opportunities for children in this area.
Renovating the current building will do little to improve education. There are more forward looking options, which your editorial alludes to. One possible solution that could offer space for middle school students and more educational opportunities is to explore a proposal that Compass School become one of two publicly accessible 7-12 options (along with Bellows Falls Union High School) for students in the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union.
With some current Bellows Falls students able to choose Compass, there would be more space in BFUHS to accommodate seventh graders, while offering students in middle and high school the chance to choose between two excellent schools with somewhat different programs.
The collaboration between the two schools would offer a much wider range of educational opportunities to all students, with attendant improvements in graduation rates and student achievement. The opportunities here are immense.
The question that I hope the voters consider is not just how to provide a suitable building for BFMS students, but also how to provide the best educational opportunities for children in this region with the resources we have available.