de-Regionalize B-R
August 31, 2004
Bridgewater
Raynham
Easton
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Massachusetts
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
I applaud the efforts of the many individuals who went out and obtained the necessary signatures to bring forward a petition on de-Regionalizing Bridgewater's K-8 grades. I say this because the use of a Citizen's Petition is beautifully democracy in action. It is a few people coming together with an idea, meeting with many other people to obtain a required number of signatures, and ultimately bringing an issue forward for all to consider.
As best as I understand, this process began prior to Selectmen Mike Tibert's surprising announcement during the Comments portion of the August 17th Board Meeting. I say surprising since his proposal was not on the meeting agenda.
Based on the intended creation of a Committee in Bridgewater to study education, it is my position that the petition scheduled for Fall Town Meeting should be deferred until next spring's Annual Town Meeting. I fervently hope that the petitioner considers this deferral not as a defeat, but rather another part of the equation or process as the Town struggles to consider its future.
As I understand it, a vote this fall or next spring would result in the same potential date for a changed educational system - July 1 of 2006.
I would like to believe that the people who will be on this Committee will diligently review all facets of the education offered in Bridgewater, and provide to all residents their analysis of the goals, objectives and costs necessary. With the Committee about to be formed, I believe they should be given the opportunity to do the task assigned to them, with an appropriate amount of time to complete. (Seven months would bring us to April 1, and still time to schedule meetings and forums to discuss the results prior to a May Town Meeting.) When we have the results of the Bridgewater study next spring, we will then be better prepared to answer a question at a Town Meeting about de-Regionalization.
