Regionalization...A Few Small Steps

Last week I met with Principal Kevin Turner of Harwich High School and our respective superintendents to have an initial conversation about merging our two schools to create a new, regional school.

Let me state up front that I am skeptical about any attempt to create a regional school district between the two towns. Having spent twenty-eight years as a teacher and administrator at Harwich High School, I was present for two of the last three discussions of this controversial topic. All, of course, ended in failure. That, in fact, may happen again, but what seems to be different this time is that the demographic data suggest that over the next decade our two school districts may experience real difficulty maintaining educational viability and we may see a significant diminution in the services and opportunities we will be able to provide for our students. So with that reality as a backdrop and as committees from each town prepare to meet and discuss the feasibility of some form of regionalization, we met over lunch and had a very positive, productive conversation which focused solely on a vision of what a new regional high school would look like.

We all agreed that a new combined school of just under 600 students would provide increased opportunity for all students in academics, the performing arts, athletics, and co-curricular activities. We discussed the potential for increasing Advanced Placement courses, foreign language offerings, and upper-level science courses. But most of all, we talked about the importance of creating a totally new school that would draw upon and incorporate the strengths of both schools to create an entirely new educational venture. We even explored the possibility of developing an International Baccalaureate curriculum and becoming an IB school which would emphasize rigor, globalization, and 21st century skills.

So, at this point we are just having an interesting conversation about possibilities. I know I speak for many in Chatham when I say that we have an excellent school that does a wonderful job of providing an education for our students. Could the education we provide be enhanced by regionalization? Absolutely! But the bottom line is at what cost. How would a merger affect our positive school culture? Of all that we currently offer our students, what might get lost in the transition? These questions and many others will demand answers before the process goes too much further. What we know is that much of the best we have to offer like the Community Internship program, We The People, our strong science curriculum, the block schedule, and our integration of technology will have to be part of the bargain. And, before too long, there will need to be an opportunity for students, parents, faculty, and community members to provide their input. As we go forward, it is important that everyone keep an open mind and a focus on what is ultimately the most critical aspect of the whole discussion...what is in the best interest of our students.

As for now, we are just talking. Let me know what you think.