What People Are Saying

Save Region 14 Elementary

Reconsideration Not Reconfiguration

“I challenge the opinion that “it is just a building.” My children don’t view it as just a building; just as I don’t view the house I grew up in as just a wooden structure. The stability of the environment creates a comfort zone that promotes confidence and allows the student to focus on learning the academics, not learning the mechanics of the environment. It takes a number of years to achieve that comfort zone where learning and individual involvement is most productive.”

Scott Kozak, Bethlehem

“As a mother, I have great apprehension to send my child off on the bus to endure a needless bus trip when a suitable elementary school exists only minutes down the road.”

Megin Nichols, Woodbury

“I stand square with the parents of the 94 youngest ... the ones seemingly shunted aside to provide for this great "coming together" of the community that the united teachers and some few (relatively childless) dewy-eyed individuals appear to favor.”

Connie Conway, Woodbury Grandparent

“I implore you to reconsider the reconfiguration, to revisit the possibility of the Mitchell renovation once again, and listen to the ground swell of dissatisfaction in both elementary communities as information and consequences become clearer.”

Tracy Olmstead, Woodbury

“Being in the Family Service field, I know how important involvement with your children in all aspects of their lives is –including school. I’m concerned that I, and many other parents, will not be able to be involved due to the change to Bethlehem.”

Lisa Hanggi, Woodbury

“I’ve been sitting on the sidelines with this proposal, after this event this morning [car accident] I’m reminded that I am my children’s voice and guardian, It’s for them that I must voice my concerns for their safety, well being and growth.”

Steve Cunningham, Woodbury

“Many of us have been exposed to the corporate world for years now and have seen the “professional CEO” come and go – each has his or her own claim to fame that was performed at another company and then they come in and try to shoe-horn the same solution into the company they currently “run”, whether it makes sense or not. I feel that since Dr. Cronin performed a similar reorganization in Naugatuck – that this is his “claim to fame” solution.”

Pam Gengenbach, Woodbury

“To be honest, I never thought Dr. Cronin's proposal would pass. Now I look to my fellow parents to work with us to stop this reconfiguration from happening.”

Alexis Chacchia, Woodbury

“Though we are not yet parents of school-age children, we strongly oppose the plan as it exists since it appears to be hastily created, lacking in parental input, and most importantly places administrative considerations above the needs of our children.”

Joy and Stephen Savulak, Woodbury

“I find your votes without any plausible explanation. You have broken faith with those who elected you. I strongly urge you to reconsider the decision to reconfigure Mitchell and Bethlehem.”

Gordon Duggins, Bethlehem

“In effect, in order to move about 95 Woodbury 5th grade students into the proposed Woodbury (Intermediate) School, we are going to engage in a military-style, time of essence, transfer over of 400++ between two distant towns, that happen by chance to be part of the same region established over 40 years ago.”

William J. Barber, Woodbury

“I feel that it is everyone’s responsibility to provide the best possible education for the children who will become the citizens of our country. I realize that children will survive if the reconfiguration plan is carried out, but they will be less likely to thrive.”

Anne Mendelbaum, Woodbury

“My husband and I are ready to put up a for sale sign and are just grateful that we live in between the two communities, as our house would have a better chance to sell.”

Cathleen Guldan, Woodbury

To View Letters to the Editor… Please See our Press Page Under Letters to the Editor

“We can’t worry about whether mom can get her kid to Cub Scouts.”

Board of Education Member Charles Cosgriff, October 4th Workshop

Quotes…

What People Are Saying...

“Have you done any research on transition?”

Board of Education Member Monica Gati, October 4th Workshop

“Not sure about the research. I haven’t done it. The part I like about this structure is second graders would relish the chance to go to a new building.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Cronin, October 4th Workshop

“My other main concern is that with all this happening and with a nice price tag to go along with it, the renovations to MES are going to be put on the backburner . . .again."

Barbara Sorosiak, Woodbury

Letter to the BOE… Dear BOE Members.pdf

Save Region 14 Elementary

Reconsideration Not Reconfiguration

“We are not one town, but two communities who share a middle school and high school. A K-2/3-5 grade span might work well in a single town where the schools are on one campus or set one mile apart. But this is not a plan for a rural region of two separate communities spread out over a nearly 60 mile radius, where the two schools at hand are 20 minutes apart..”

Kim and Richard Galiette, Woodbury

Joy and Stephen Savulak, Woodbury

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“In our hearts and in our minds and in our research, we really think this is the best thing for the kids."

Cindy Kostas, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Dec. 16, 2006 Rep-Am “Shorter Bus Rides Expected”

October 4th Workshop Minutes…10_4_06_TLB_Bd_of_Ed_Workshop_Minutes_10_10_06.pdf

“Normally when decisions are made, the public has a right, and an obligation, to participate. Procedurally, this board has not done that."

Andrew Peklo, Chairman Woodbury Planning Commission, Voices Jan 13, 2007

Jay Hubelbank said he's looking forward to working with a new superintendent and being involved with the Region 14 school renovation project. He's also excited about his 10-minute commute, after driving 45 minutes each way for about a decade.

“Region 14 Set To Welcome New Business Manager”, July 9, 2006 Republican-American Article By Sydney Schwartz

“Yes, we are looking to shave-we have an eight period day at the high school. So, we are looking to take a minute or two from each one of those periods to get us the other 15 minutes that we need in order to make the timing work for us.”

Region 14 Business Manager, Jay Hubelbank, when asked if they plan to shorten the High School Day in order to make busing for reconfiguration work, January 8th Hearing

It’s a simple idea: Students learn more when they spend more time in school.

Connecticut’s incoming education commissioner, Mark K. McQuillan, also supports the idea. “If you add a few minutes to every class, that’s a few minutes that can be used to successfully connect to students,” said Tom Murphy, a spokesman for the Connecticut State Department of Education “It does a lot.”

“Lengthening school day under study”, March 30, 2007 Republican-American Article By Randy James

Letter from the former 1968 Superintendent … Ted Martland's Pig-In-A-Poke Letter.pdf