To the editor:

Education is an equalizer and the foundation for a better life full of opportunity. I attended the Bristol public schools from the 1980s into the early 1990s before Bristol and Warren regionalized. Looking back, I can share that I had incredible teachers who each profoundly impacted my life and helped me get to where I am today. However, our school buildings are not up to par with today’s learning environments.

When I walk the halls of Mt. Hope High School for Joint Finance Committee meetings, I reflect on my days walking these same halls as a student and can see clearly how our schools are frozen in time with infrastructure that barely meets the minimum requirements for modern learning. It’s time we made an investment in our district's future by taking advantage of the state's reimbursement before it's too late. Our school buildings need at least a $30M investment to address immediate concerns. Why not invest these funds towards a new high school and improvements in our other schools and be reimbursed by the state school construction bond for most of the cost?

A great school system enriches our town, bringing young families here who want to grow and contribute to our community for generations. Strong infrastructure attracts excellent teachers and administrators who feel valued for their work. And most importantly, our children deserve to learn in an environment that will give them opportunity in a world with increasing complexities at every level. We must make this monumental investment in our community by updating our schools. I am asking all Bristol and Warren voters to vote YES for the school construction bond. Our futures depend on it.

Timothy Sweeney
BWRSD Joint Finance Committee, Chair
Bristol Town Council, Member
82 Church St.