MIDDLEBURY — Addison Central School District residents have two chances this week to share their views on how the district should prioritize the use of, and repairs to, its multiple school buildings and other physical assets during the next decade and beyond.
At issue are “community dialogues” slated for Tuesday, Nov. 13, and Wednesday, Nov. 14, at which feedback will be sought for an “ACSD Facilities Master Plan” that is in the works. Both events begin at 6:30 p.m. and will take place at Middlebury Union Middle School on Middle Road. A seven-member ACSD Planning & Engagement Committee will run the meetings.
District officials want to bring community voices into the conversation of how best to align ACSD schools and other facilities with its education goals and enrollment realities, according to ACSD board Chairman Peter Conlon.
ACSD includes the elementary schools in Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham and Weybridge; Middlebury Union middle and high schools; and the alternative education and ACSD central office buildings in Middlebury.
The district is responsible for 12 buildings.
Schools within ACSD and throughout Vermont have seen declining enrollment during the past two decades. As the ACSD board wrestles with this new reality, it is asking questions — such as how to ensure equitable distribution of resources across the district, how to provide the best learning environment for all students, and how to maintain reasonable tax rates, according to Conlon.
Input gathered at the community dialogues will be used by the board to develop a long-range plan to best meet consensus goals.
Each meeting will begin with a presentation of information concerning student enrollment and other trends, followed by small group discussions. More information can be found online here.