DID YOU KNOW?
Our elementary schools are over 100 years old, on average…among the oldest in the state of Massachusetts

Inadequate for today’s needs…
  • A century ago, schools weren’t built to include cafeterias, gymnasiums, auditoriums or libraries.  The children at Maple School can’t gather as a group to see school plays or productions in their school, because there isn’t a space large enough to accommodate them.  Two of our three elementary schools do not even have a cafeteria or gymnasium.
  •  A century ago, computers weren’t even an idea.  As of 2003, 93% of instructional rooms in US elementary schools had Internet access.  Our elementary schools are not wired for technology, which is critical to teaching and learning in the 21st century.  Our children are being left behind.
  •  A century ago, most children with special needs did not attend school.  Schools today are required by federal and state laws to educate students with a wide range of needs: learning disabilities, autism, mental retardation, life threatening allergies, emotional and behavioral disorders, English as a Second Language and physical disabilities.  Our school buildings were not designed to accommodate students with special needs or the staff required to teach them.
  • We are now required to have nurses, reading and math specialists, special education teachers, school psychologists, autism specialists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, inclusion specialists, pupil adjustment counselors, behavioral specialists, and English as a Second Language teachers.  These staff members frequently work in cramped, loud and distracting quarters: converted coat closets, stairway landings, an elevator alcove, and hallways.
Potential hazards, poor working conditions
  • Our elementary schools were built before cars were invented.  There isn’t any parking at Center School and only a few spaces at Maple.  This creates major inconvenience, as well as safety risks for children.
  • There are asbestos covered pipes in the basement at Maple School where children gather for inside recess and before school during inclement weather.
  • Pepin was built as the town’s high school in the 1920’s.  As a result, classroom sizes are smaller than are required for elementary schools today.  Staircases are plentiful and steep – not designed for little legs.
  • The teacher’s restroom on the top floor of Maple is a tiny room with a small toilet and no sink.

Our High School is now over 40 years old
Inadequate for today’s needs…
  • Next fall, the school will go through a re-accreditation process that takes place every 10 years.  There is great concern that we will lose our accreditation due to our facilities.
  • Computer skills are a basic requirement for entry into college and the 21st century workforce.  Inadequate technology is on the top of the school’s list of needed improvements to help our students remain competitive with those from other schools.  There is limited technology throughout the building, including a computer lab that cannot be used throughout the day due to lack of space - it must be used as a classroom.
  • The theater and performing arts facilities are also in need of expansion.  The high school doesn’t even have an auditorium to house assemblies and school productions.
  • The library’s size and materials are inadequate. Students do not have access to up to date resources.
  • Most of the office personnel, the guidance staff, the vice principal, the athletic director and others are located in cramped, closet-like spaces and converted restrooms.

We are losing students and over $1 million in state aid…
  • The number of students leaving the district through school choice is costing the city over $1 million in state aid each year.
  • Survey results tell us a key reason the city is losing so many students is its outdated school buildings.
The solution:
The Easthampton Schools Building Committee has concluded that to meet the present and future needs of our school district we need:   
  • A new elementary school to replace the current Maple, Center and Pepin schools. 
  • A renovated high school

 Why don’t we just renovate our elementary schools?

 Renovations are not an option due to the age of the schools.  It is far too costly to bring three separate buildings up to today’s standards.  The state will not share the costs of renovating 100+ year old buildings.  

The plan, the process, the numbers ...
  • Step one is to have detailed plans created for these two projects now.  When the plans are complete, Easthampton will be ready to apply for state school building assistance when the moratorium on new building projects is lifted in the spring of 2007. 
  • To have plans created, Easthampton voters need to approve a $1.2 million debt-exclusion override on the November ballot.  The expectation is that this will take 5 years to pay off.  This will not be a permanent increase in taxes.
  • The average home owner, with a home valued at $194,435, would pay an additional $54 in annual property taxes, or an average of $1.04 per week.
  • After the debt-exclusion override is approved, the building committee will spend the money on the plans beginning in January, 2006.  The timing is perfect, because January is when the district will receive updated rules and regulations from the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding school construction projects.
  • Before construction begins, the city will have to pass another override at a future time for its share of construction expenses.  A significant portion of this expense is expected to be shared by the state. 

Why is it important to take action now?
  • Taking action now is the fiscally responsible thing to do.  Further delay will cost the city additional millions of dollars. 
  • If we wait, it will just get more expensive.  The estimated price of this project has already jumped by 38% in the last 4 years.
  • The need exists now.  Improvements to our schools are long overdue.
  • We are suffering significant financial losses through school choice by ignoring our need for new schools for so long. 

Strong, healthy schools are part of a strong, healthy community…

  • Easthampton has been enjoying a rebirth in the last few years…the one glaring exception is our schools.  We changed our form of government to a city to better manage the complex issues facing communities in this new century.  And it’s working.  For example…We have seen vacant factories and storefronts transform into thriving businesses.  We built an impressive public safety complex because our obsolete firehouse and police station could no longer protect us.  Our municipal offices moved from an outdated 19th century building to a modern office building.  We are improving our streets and roads.  
  • We cannot afford to leave our schools – and our children-- behind.  Our schools must provide Easthampton’s children with an education that prepares them for the 21st century.  This can’t happen in our 100+ year old elementary schools and our 40+ year old high school, which are in need of equally important upgrades.
  • We must care about the education we provide our children…

To volunteer or donate to the Committee for Better Schools
Call us at 529-3500 to volunteer, make a donation, or tell us what you think!
Or email betterschools@gmail.com