I thank the Board of Education for their decision to delay action on dealing with potential overcrowding issues at Stratfield School. If there was nothing else to be learned from this, it is that haste makes waste. It is my sincere belief that the acrimony in all of this, at all levels, was the fear that an agenda was being rushed without proper airing.
Redistricting is one of the most emotional subjects a town can grapple with. Otherwise reasonable people, myself included, become unglued. It’s easy to get information and take action before doing more due diligence. The root of this, I believe, is that, essentially, we’re all in the same business; looking after our children. We wish to be their proactive advocates. Sometimes, our desire to look after and protect finds us rushing to judgment and acting hastily.
The Board of Education has an opportunity in the coming months to engage the town in a dialogue regarding the highest and best utilization of the schools in town. The whole town also has an opportunity to get needed information, learn about the issues and how they affect their children and their town and have their voice heard. If the challenges our schools confront are faced with the understanding of the emotions they create, if both the Board of Education and the people of our town take the time to share and get as much information as possible, and if people at least feel like their voices are heard, I believe that we can look back and be proud of the work that we have all done.
Gee, come to think of it, what a great example to set for our children.
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