To the editor:

On Nov. 7, Barrington voters will decide whether we invest in critical school infrastructure. This decision will impact our community for decades to come.  

The School Construction/Improvements Bond would pave the way for necessary funding to address significant space, safety, learning and infrastructure needs. The cost of not voting yes is approximately 50 million dollars of lost state money when the “once in a lifetime” reimbursement rate of 55 percent ends this fiscal year. Most critical, a no vote sets Barrington on a path that does not match our stated commitment to education. A YES vote continues our community value of prioritizing our schools.

Our community is at an inflection point. Our school infrastructure is failing and needs significant investment. The buildings do not have adequate space for a growing elementary population, causing the addition of multiple modular units to meet the growing student population, special education services without adequate facilities, and buildings that are not accessible. Electric and heating systems are failing and will continue to impact learning as we adjust to a changing climate. Our buildings do not have the recommended safety and fire prevention systems in place and are not equipped to meet the needs of 21st century learning. Students at BHS are trying to prepare for the jobs of the future in labs built 70 years ago, in spaces not equipped with the technology students need.  

There is a lot of talk in town about how much we value our schools, our educators, and the education decades of children have received in Barrington. But talking is not enough, we need to act. Our building infrastructure does not match with a community that places such a high value on our schools.  We need to vote yes for the school bond. Yes, it is expensive (despite the 55 percent reimbursement by the state) but voting no will cost us more in the coming decade. Yes, we should encourage the building committee to seek efficiency during the design phase to reduce costs. However, this is one of the most important issues facing our community and we need to get it right.

In the 1950’s members of this community had a vision and built numerous schools in Barrington to accommodate the growth in families in town. That investment in education and schools helped to create the community we are so proud of today.  Ask most realtors and they will tell you that our investment in our schools is what draws home buyers to Barrington. Knowing the reputation of our schools, seeing families walk their children to school, seeing children bike in groups to school.  It is a sense people have that our community, though not without its challenges, is a great place to live, to raise a family, to stay long after children have grown.  

After years of work, we now have a viable master plan for our school buildings that maintains neighborhood elementary schools and brings our high school building in line with preparing students for the jobs of the future.  This plan will improve all our school buildings either with new or with significant renovations that can effectively meet the needs of students for the next 70 years. Are we going to keep talking about how much we care about our schools or are we going to show up and vote for the bond and invest in our schools? 

Maura McCrann

Barrington