Lanesborough Votes to Join Williamstown
 |
The Williamstown School Committee has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. to vote on the issue.
Lanesborough Chairman Richard Cohen opened the meeting reminding the audience that the topics on the agenda pertained to the question of dissolving Superintendency Union 69 and undertaking additional discussions with Williamstown about establishing a new union.
In his opening remarks, he provided a brief but complete overview of the process as it has unfolded over the past six months.
After making a motion to vote to dissolve Union 69, effective June 30, 2008, committee member John "Jack" Hickey made the following remarks:
"I worked for much of the last 40 years in the insurance brokerage business and in that capacity learned that to understand any issue one must be able to understand the motives of both parties."
He then began with some observations of the "institutions," meaning the teachers' union and the School Committee, which have been central to these discussions.
"The teachers' union has been opposed to this proposed union with Williamstown and I think we can all agree that, the teachers' union's primary responsibility is the financial interest of their members," he said.
He contrasted that with the primary responsibility of the School Committee, which is to be an advocate for the children. He offered these observations as an explanation for the two views that have prevailed throughout the six months that this matter has been under discussion.
"There is another theme, that I find most disturbing, that has run through these discussions," continued Hickey. "It's the concept of a perceived difference between the two communities. Continuing in the old 69 Union, in my estimation, continues to reinforce this concept of 'loser/winner.' The children in these Mount Greylock [Regional High School] feeder schools are going to be classmates for a very formative six years and the sooner these children learn to respect both themselves and each other - then the sooner they will become effective responsible representatives of their respective communities."
He told the audience, "Listening to the presidential candidates they all extol 'change.' Change is nothing more than a concept. You can have change for the good or change for the bad and those that speak out for change threaten status quo.
"It is being suggested that we move from a union with three communities that have very dissimilar needs to ours where we bear 60 percent of the costs and have 25 percent of the vote.
"As a member of the School Committee, I have seen firsthand the relationship of the partners over the past months. Last summer, New Ashford took exception when they were told that we expected them pay for their children attending preschool. Members of the New Ashford School Committee expressed their displeasure when leaving a meeting after being told that going forward, we would expect them to pay their fair share."
Hickey continued, "What common educational needs exist between the four communities? Richmond sends most of their graduates to high schools in the southern end of Berkshire County. Hancock sends many of their middle school children to Richmond. Yet we have a common educational interest with Williamstown as both our communities send the majority of their students to Mount Greylock."
He closed by saying, "So in the final analysis - in the interest of the children - I am willing to threaten status quo and vote to support this motion to dissolve Union 69."
Committee member Shelia Hebert spoke next, saying how initially she was skeptical of the concept. But after a very through and careful examination of all the information, she came to the conclusion that this was in the best interest of the children.
Herbert went on to explain a new program that has been launched between the two schools in which many of the sixth-grade students are undertaking an extracurricular book study with their counterparts from Williamstown. And how much of the discussion amongst the children has been about how they are looking forward to meeting the children whom they will be going to school with next year.
The committee then voted unanimously to dissolve Union 69. As soon as the vote was complete, the president of the teachers' union, Lanesborough Education Association, Bernadette "Bernie" McMahon, rose to leave the room. She was followed by all of the teachers in the audience.
The School Committee members then voted unanimously to undertake discussions with Williamstown to form a superintendency union. The committee then agreed to have Hebert initiate negotiations with a member of the Williamstown committee to bring this new union to a successful conclusion.
An hour later, Union 69 voted to dissolve, then voted to establish a new union of New Ashford, Hancock and Richmond.
Information provided by Lanesborough Concerned Citizens Newsletter. To receive the weekly newsletter with more Lanesborough news, e-mail ahartheimer@yahoo.com.
