This week the Waterbury Board of Education took a major step in bringing the school system into the 21st century. The local school system has been overcrowded for years, and now the plan to build three new K-8 neighborhood schools is getting off the ground. When this project is completed it will mark the first phase of an extensive reworking of the Waterbury schools to bring our students to the level many believe they can reach.
This project has not been without it troubles, however. When the proposal was first unveiled a small group of dissenters attempted to stop the construction from even getting started. During the 2004 election cycle, these dissenters, led by Independent Party members Larry DePillo and Mike Telesca, organized a petition to have the bonding for this necessary project put as a referendum question on the November ballot. Due to the efforts of a few key members of the Board of Education, as well as the intervention of a few determined citizens, the issue passed by a considerable margin.
The history of this project is not what we should be focusing on, however. What deserves our attention is the school boards' choice of location for these three new schools. These locations allow the city to revitalize areas that have lagged economically, and to honor the memories of what once was.
By choosing to place one of the three schools on North Main Street, the city is focusing on the future of a particular neighborhood. The section of land that is outlined in this decision does not contain many single families homes, and does not currently present a welcoming view to an outsider. By filling this area with the sound of young children laughing and playing and learning, Waterbury can harness and celebrate its future, and through this celebration, foster economic development and growth in this region.
The choice to renovate and refit the old Duggan School shows that the Board of Education still has respect for the historical buildings of Waterbury. Duggan's famous clock tower, and hidden old swimming pool are examples of the amazing work that went into constructing the over 100 year old building. While I am well aware that it will be impossible to save a majority of the building, the clock tower and the swimming pool must be protected. It would be a shame to have the city raze such a recognizable part of the Brooklyn neighborhood, without making every effort to protect it.
Finally the decision to place the third school near the site of Gilmartin is one of simple common sense. The Gilmartin School was never designed to be used for over 30 years. It was originally intended to be a solution to what was thought to be a temporary overcrowding issue. By building on the 10-acre site that is already available, the city can give the students of that neighborhood a school they deserve.
It was recently reported that the cost of acquiring and cleaning the land necessary for this project would cost nearly $8 million, when the original plan only budgeted $1.5 million. I am concerned that this jump in figures will provoke another call from the perpetual dissenters, claiming corruption, fraud, and waste. The citizens of Waterbury cannot let this small group of determined naysayers derail such a vital project. If the cost of cleanup becomes an issue on the local stage, I feel that the Board of Education and Mayor's office should receive our full support. The future of Waterbury, and the future of Waterbury's students are too important to let such an opportunity slip by.
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