Renovate Glenbrook and Williams Middle Schools

This letter to the editor was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Curt Freedman- a long time resident of Longmeadow.

 

 

Dear Editor:

I have lived in Longmeadow since before I was born and completed grades K-12. I attended Glenbrook and was a member of the class of 1973 (Go Bulldogs).  I have firsthand knowledge of busing as I was bused from Primrose Drive to Glenbrook for three years. 

 

For 33 years, I have been a registered professional engineer and practice in 23 states and work as a forensic engineering investigator across the country, as well as instruct renewable energy as an adjunct professor at a local engineering university.  I am tremendously grateful for the professional and academic opportunities enabled in part by my public school education in Longmeadow.

 

My sons have also attended grades K-12 and are each highly accomplished professionals.  My wife, in blessed memory, was a speech/language pathologist and previously contracted with the Longmeadow Schools.

 

I have previously supported the renovation of Blueberry Hill, Wolf Swamp, and Center Schools.  As co-chairman of the Longmeadow High School Task Force Committee, I helped lead the renovation of LHS to its present state.  Our LHS Building team, as supported by the Longmeadow School Committee, actively worked to avoid decisions that would adversely affect abutters or create an unreasonable financial burden to our community.  Although multiple architects recommended a brand-new high school on Russell Field, these recommendations were rejected out of respect for Longmeadow.

 

My direct experience taught me that there is nothing positive about busing; it extends the school day, interferes with participation in school activities, and can create time conflicts with family and homework studies, especially during inclement weather.  An 11 or 12-year-old does not have the independent transportation options of a high school student; a local neighborhood middle school is a tried and proven option.

 

I feel that the proposed combined middle school is fundamentally flawed for the following reasons.   The project conflicts with sustainability, the Longmeadow Long-Range Plan, as well as professional engineering standards.   The project will eliminate multiple sports fields.    The project will lessen the quality of education for the majority of students.   The project will maximize busing/vehicle traffic and cause unresolvable traffic gridlock.  The project will be financially burdensome for our community.  The project will lessen property values for many of our residents.

Renovate Glenbrook Middle School. 
Renovate Williams Middle School.

Sometimes, Less is more.

Let us work together for the best interests of our Longmeadow community.

 Curt M. Freedman, PE
24 Ridge Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106