The proposed Great River Regional School District (GRRSD) is one of the most significant educational decisions our communities will likely face in the upcoming years. We formed our regional school districts many years ago to serve our students’ needs and spread the cost over more towns. However, with declining enrollment at the center of the issue today taking its toll on the districts and the towns, it is time to revisit the benefits we once enjoyed when the school districts’ enrollments were larger: Gill-Montague — 1,646 and Pioneer Valley — 1,242. The GRRSD’s population would be about 1,440!
Our communities are resilient, and so are our students. If we focus on the positive outcomes that regionalization can achieve, something truly special will result. Our students have much to offer and will continue to thrive and support each other, in the classroom and on the sports fields!
I trust the staff will thrive in an environment with their peers to explore a range of approaches that will make learning meaningful and engaging for their students. I trust the communities to elect school committee members that will bring positive energy to the table, have the best interests of all students in all towns and bring forward the best each district has to offer.
We know what a larger enrollment means to a district, especially at the secondary level. We experienced it. Our kids enjoyed it in the past and deserve it in the future! We made that happen! Let’s do it again. I fully support regionalization! It’s good for our kids! It’s more sustainable for our towns. On Oct. 6, please vote yes on regionalization! Thank you.
Steve Richter, STRPB member
Leyden