To the Editor:

The need for more space at our schools is indisputable. I wholly support the high school renovations; however, have serious objections to the creation of a separate 5/6 school.

The introduction of two two-year schools would significantly affect the community feel and spirit of the district and be very disruptive. For the typical two-child family, the children would be in different schools for the majority of their school careers (six years), while for families with three or more children, they would juggle three different schools for at least four years — a logistically challenging arrangement most parents would not willingly choose.

Creating a separate 5/6 school also negatively affects the sixth grade children who are now able to participate in school clubs, sports, and plays at JW. Being bussed in to participate in these activities is not equivalent. 

School spirit will be difficult to create in schools through which students cycle so quickly, as parents typically don’t volunteer when they are new to a school and don’t volunteer in their last year as they are on the way out. For those who say there is already a lack of school spirit in the middle school, can you imagine it getting worse?

Finally, it will be very difficult for children with IEPs (or even just introverted kids) to manage changing schools so often and for their parents to champion them with the administrations of four different schools every few years. And for all the children, transitioning to a huge high school after four years in two small schools will be an added challenge.

A 5/6 wing built on JW’s front lawn would better serve the community. It might necessitate cutting the bells and whistles of a separate school, however, the substantial cost savings from the economies of scale of using existing (renovated) facilities would help ease an already substantial tax burden on Princeton residents.

An entirely new school demands long-term increased operating expenses beyond just the current presented tax increase due to the costs associated with hiring whole new cafeteria, maintenance, and admin staffs, in addition to a substantial increase in bussing costs. Incorporating 5/6 on the grounds of JW would allow for the use of the current facilities with smaller renovations to incrementally increase the current space, and smaller staff additions to accommodate the newly added fifth grade. Additional cost savings would be realized in not having to demolish the Valley Road building.

The future increased operating expenses implied by a separate 5/6 school would continue to make it more difficult to find money for additional teachers, increasing student/teacher ratios, as already witnessed in this year’s school budget.

Two two-year schools are also not as flexible, should demographics change. What if the two biggest classes are back-to-back and suddenly the new building is too small?

Ask yourself – isn’t there a more economical way we can reach our goal of increased space without saddling our town with substantial long-term increases in operating costs that will beg for future tax increases?

Mara Franceschi

Greenhouse Drive