Hadley, Frontier among towns, districts receiving regionalization study grants
GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) - Twelve Massachusetts school districts have been awarded grants of up to $25,000 to explore how regionalization might benefit their education systems.
Gov. Deval Patrick's administration awarded the grants Friday, saying potential regional partnerships between schools can increase efficiency by consolidating administrative services and putting more money toward classroom spending.
"This funding is meant to jumpstart a movement across the state to find ways for our smaller communities to work together, learn from one another and share expenses in a manner that makes sense fiscally and educationally," said state Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester, who announced the grants with western Massachusetts legislators at a school in Greenfield.
Grant recipients include the towns of Ayer, Boxford, Greenfield, Hadley, Harwich, Holland, and Westfield, along with the Berkshire, Frontier, Mahar, Mohawk and Nauset school districts.
Hadley Superintendent Nicholas Young said he was pleased the district was selected and will work with education officials to determine how to spend the grant, which he plans to use for consolidation with the neighboring Hatfield public schools.
Officials said funding for the grants was included in the Department of Education's fiscal year 2009 operating budget.
Comments
Agreed
Nat123, I agree with you. But, if Hatfield went to Noho, then Hadley's class size would remain reasonable instead of increasing, and the Hatfield parents who want a small school could come to Hadley via choice.
Good thought....
but if by reasonable class size you mean 8, then ok. There are classes at Hopkins that have fewer then 10 kids in them, and if any have more then 15 I'd be surprised. Hatfield coming to Hadley will not have a negative impact on class size, but will instead allow more opportunites and options regarding class offerings.
Hatfield and Hadley
Not sure if I want Hatfield sucked into Northampton's budget problems. I can see Hatfield residents trying to battle Noho with their strange budget priorities (e.g. layoff teachers but buy some wetland property).
I believe Hatfield and Hadley are a better mix despite the busing. RT. 9 business should also provide the district with a significant amount of tax dollars relative to the population. School system would keep the small town feel.
where's Hatfield's grant?
Instead of applying for a meaningful grant to help with this process, Hatfield gets a loud-mouthed committee member who want to close off the discussion of regionalization before it even begins.
It's a no-brainer: Smith Academy should become part of a regional Hamp High. Hadley or Frontier offer Hatfield nothing new other than the cost of bus transportation. Of course, anything to get rid of the superintendent and other overhead would be a plus, but the real issue is for the children of today and future generations.
Try to elevate our educational offerings---not race to the bottom.
Observer needs to get educated on the issues.
If Hatfield wants to be sucked into a budget nightmare then they absolutely should merge with Northampton. I'm sure the students of Hatfield will benefit greatly in class sizes of 25 - 30 and probably larger given the upcoming layoffs Northampton is proposing. I'm sure the residents of Hatfield will be willing to take on the additional tax burden that merging with Northampton will bring on given the increased school budget Northampton requires. From an finanacial perspective a merger with fiscally sound Hadley is the smartest thing to do. I would also guess that most of Smith Academy parents chose to send their kids there for the benefits of a small school. Putting two great high performing schools like Hadley and Hatfield together will lead to new opportunities for all students. If there are families that want a larger school experience, they can always send their kids to Northampton via school of choice.