I am a loyal alumna of Turners Falls High School. I grew up in Gill at a time when eighth graders had a choice of high schools to go to — Pioneer Valley Regional or Turners Falls. A sibling went to one; I went to the other. Later, two of my children went to TFHS; the third choiced into Pioneer after middle school, for what was at the time a much bigger band program.

So I have a view of both schools — they are both independent, hardy, and spirited, and students received an excellent, well-rounded education. But now enrollment in each has dropped significantly — 50% since 1996 in Gill-Montague, and 53% at Pioneer! Academic electives are cut and sports teams and arts offerings are much reduced or eliminated entirely.

Some think we should spend our time advocating for more money for our schools. We can continue to do that, but, as pointed out by others, “Spending more money on fewer and fewer students is not a sustainable funding model.”

Isn’t it practical and responsible to make the most of what we have and join forces? By any definition, our youth will still be attending small schools, with plenty of individual attention. But they will have more options, more variety, and, quite likely, more fun.

Keep in mind that this agreement:

  • does not propose touching our elementary schools;
  • does not abandon any buildings, leaving us with new problems to solve;
  • eliminates few, if any, jobs and more likely will improve the quality and effectiveness of some;
  • gives teachers more opportunities to collaborate and enrich the curriculum;
  • makes wiser use of existing resources (which any small town, especially in a rural region, usually considers common sense).

We have a choice between my admitted sentimentality (oh, my dear old alma mater, TFHS!) and being good stewards of our towns’ dollars and our youths’ futures. Please fully inform yourself by giving https://6towns.org a good look, going to the information sessions with your questions, and voting to support the stability and success of both of our school systems.

Patricia Crosby

Gill