HARDWICK – A recent decision concerning the reconfiguration of the Pre-K program has ignited a community-wide debate, following the February 11 Mountain View Union (MVU) elementary school district board meeting.
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The proposal to have all early education services moved to the Lakeview Union School (LVU) building was met with pushback from both the community and board members present at the meeting.
Superintendent David Baker explained to the board that the administration was directed to come up with a proposal, which he presented. It includes some reductions in staff. He said this proposal reflects the vision of the administration to localize and centralize all of the early education programming to the LVU building. He stated there is a possibility of working with a provider to allow for childcare support for ages zero through three.
Baker’s proposal will also end classes at LVU for first, second and third grades, allowing them to move to either Hardwick Elementary School (HES) or Woodbury Elementary School. This year there are 16 students in those grades at LVU.
Board member Doreen Cota, who resigned following the meeting, voiced her opposition. Cota said among other reasons, this move will disrupt the Pre-K students currently enrolled in Hardwick Elementary School Others present at the meeting voiced their concerns over transportation and some felt the proposal lacked community support.
In response, board member Simon Cohen said he refuses to take steps backwards in this process and the proposal was created with great care. Board member Terri Vest called the proposal to a vote, to which Cota objected. However, the board voted to proceed regardless. The motion carried, with two board members voting against the reconfiguration. The decision was followed by Cota’s resignation later that evening.
The move will lengthen the commute for Woodbury Pre-K students to upwards of thirty minutes each way. That will affect five students if enrollment remains level next year. HES has the highest early education enrollment with 28 students. Busing those students, many of who will have a longer commute, makes a total of 33 early education students who would be bused.
Centralizing Pre-K and kindergarten (K) in Hardwick would result in just over half as many of those students being bused. There are currently 12 students enrolled in Lakeviews Pre-K and K. Those 12, plus the five at WES would make a total of 17 students to be bused vs. 34 under the proposal adopted on the February 11.
Adding in the 16 first, second and third graders bused from Greensboro to Hardwick or Woodbury will bring the total of students bused outside their current area to 50 under the newly adopted proposal, again assuming enrollment is level next year..
The differences in school enrollment numbers is one of the reasons cited in Cota’s letter of resignation. She further explained her opposition and subsequent resignation, “I do not think that any of you have thoroughly thought this through and how it affects most of our constituents. Yes, decisions were made for Lakeview (LV) families and students to have to relocate but that was due to decreasing enrollment and staffing issues.”
Cota went on, stating that Hardwick’s Pre-K program does not have any issues, is well run, and is conveniently located for families.
“Quite frankly and honestly, LV is only convenient for those who live in Greensboro. Center Road in the winter is a nightmare and you have chosen to risk very young children to travel it on a bus. Unbelievable. I will never agree that this decision was based on the best interest of the families and children.”
Cota reiterated the advantages to having Pre-K in the graded school with older students, which she also emphasized at the February 11 meeting. Now, she says those Pre-K students are going to miss out on so much that happens at HES. And, with first, second and third graders leaving LVU, that enrichment is not available there.
Cota’s letter highlighted her concern with the board’s choice to proceed with the vote in spite of her reservations. “Not being able to have further discussion on a very important subject this evening solidified my decision to step down from the board. For a board member to choose to stop discussion because they didn’t care enough to be respectful and allow the discussion to continue is just selfish and uncalled for. It is these and other such antics that I can no longer tolerate.”
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
