To the editor:

These words ring familiar to anyone who has sat through a Barrington school committee meeting.  They are the words of the School Committee Chair after notifying people that their 3 minutes of allowed public comment are over.  Three minutes to express concerns, ask questions, attempt to engage in dialogue.  However, one never gets dialogue, answers, follow-up, etc., only “your time is up” as she moves on to the next person.  Parents and concerned community members sit through hours of primarily fluff meetings, waiting for Public Comment.  

Most recently 125 people waited until midnight, listening to topics like “mood meters” before finally having the chance to address the herd of elephants in the room: Beginning with 75 kids in an 8th grade cluster that have gone months without a dedicated math teacher; The Stage II submission of a facilities plan that has not involved the community, despite the consultant’s top-rated recommendation to raze all 4 community elementary schools, building two new complexes with the highest price-tag yet; Data regarding controversial deleveled classes (sold as a means of increasing participation in honors work) in which only 35% of 9th graders and 19% of 10th graders achieved Honors Distinction in English (through independent project work), compared to a 51% participation rate in honors English classes prior to deleveling; Parents commented into the early morning regarding the complicated mask requirements being proposed after March 4th, concerns over the continuation of silent lunches, and the negative learning effects of a 10-day quarantine policy (rather than the 5-day recommended by the CDC).  At the end of each comment, question, etc., the response was generally “your time is up.” 

Our school committee, aside from Patrick McCrann, treats its constituents as adversaries. When asked, the Chairwoman would not even disclose how many people were participating in a virtual meeting. Coupled with an unwillingness to have dialogue, the committee is so consumed by lawsuits and attempts to be their own health department (rather than rely on the CDC and state guidance) that it has lost its focus. As a result, their attention to basic education is noticeably absent.  

The tenor of these meetings is toxic for our community. Barrington needs leaders who find common-ground and unite our community in a way that will only happen through respectful dialogue. In November two seats will be up for election. As such, two stellar candidates will be formally announcing their candidacy in the coming weeks; motivated to bring back democratic ideals that have fallen by the wayside. These candidates are ready to engage with their constituency, bringing a renewed focus on collaboration and dialogue with parents, teachers, administrators, and the community to achieve the shared focus of offering every child in Barrington an outstanding education! Come November, for the sake of our kids, I hope Barrington residents stand up loud and clear to let the current school committee majority know, your time is up—we want partnership.  

Shelli Edgar

Barrington