We are a collective of concerned parents, residents and voters in Readsboro. We are writing to say that we all want a better education for our children. We feel like we can easily speak on behalf of all Readsboro Central School parents that our children deserve the best education. But we have yet to hear how closing the lifeline of a small, isolated town will give these children a better education.
What school isn’t having an influx of issues with staffing, students’ emotional well-being, and some academically behind students, especially since the pandemic? Please name one.
Hearing from another parent who sees many schools in southern Vermont in their line of work, Readsboro is by far one of the safest in regards to behavioral issues with these post-pandemic students. What will we be getting ourselves into if we send our children outside of their community? Behavioral issues are more disruptive than having multiple grades per classroom with only 11-15 pupils in them.
What we hope the voters in Readsboro heavily consider is the substantial effect this will have on our children and community. Beyond the General Store and the Readsboro Inn, there will be no community hubs left.
Moreover, the parents who believe they’ll have the choice of any school are sorely mistaken. We can only hope that local schools have the capacity to take some of our kids and, if they don’t, some of us could be making a 30-plus-minute car or bus ride. We will be ripping children apart from the familiar community faces that they have grown to love and trust because of a few angry parents and taxpayers who believe numbers are the ultimate goal.
Let’s all work towards a better education for our children. Closing the Readsboro Central School is not the correct step. Let’s do better.
Danielle Mixon
Chris Weinburg
Lance and Emily Howard
Pamela and Chris Daniele
Caraline and Logan Sprague
Stacey and Travis Bolte
Lindsay Bleau
Ethan Budrow
Larry Pladdys
Zachary Bladek
Tim and Annelise Stys
Inger Strom-Henriksen
Beth Gypson
Jo Young
Readsboro
