Groton Releases Survey On Closing A Middle School

The Board of Education on Friday released a community survey asking for public input on what it should consider when closing a Groton middle school.

The survey is available on paper and online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GrotonBOE. It must be returned by 1 p.m. on Dec. 16.

Groton to create the survey. The and must make a decision shortly in the event it needs portable classrooms.

The survey asks questions such as “What should the board’s priority be as we consolidate from three to two middle schools?” then offers answers such as impact on the community, quality of facilities, impact on academics and impact on taxpayers.

It also asks residents to rank their priorities. A summary of four survey questions is listed below.

Impact on the community

Rank the importance of the following items:
-Loss of programs to neighborhood areas (Dental Clinic, Adult Ed, School Based Health Center)
-Maintaining a school in the city
-Minimizing student redistricting
-Transportation (length of travel on bus)

Quality of facilities

Rank the importance of the following items:
-Classroom Facilities
-Material Resources (computers, text books, etc.)
-Facility Resources (library, cafeteria)
-Athletic Fields/Opportunities
-Parking

Impact on academics

Rank the importance of the following items:
-Student-­to­-teacher ratio
-Equitable experiences across both middle schools
-Providing quality educational opportunities at a variety of levels
-Extra­curricular activities
-Teambuilding opportunities for staff and students during transition

Impact on taxpayers

Rank the importance of the following items:
-Maximize state and federal funds
-Impact on property values
-Cost of long term planning for maintenance of facility
-Cost of short term modifications to accommodate students and staff (portables, parking, etc.)