Upcoming Public Forums on Regionalization, School Consolidation, & More

The Amherst schools are asking some big questions right now about what our schools for the near & longer-term future? Should the three Amherst elementary schools be consolidated into two? Should the MS & HS be combined into one building? & does Amherst want to extend the current regional district for MS & HS (which includes Pelham, Leverett, & Shutesbury) to the elementary schools as well?

There are a number of upcoming public forums to discuss each of these topics, & ARPS families & community members are invited to attend. Childcare will be available at all the upcoming public forums and listening sessions, & transportation & translation services are available upon request (by calling 362-1823).  The first forums will be held Tues, Sept 29th, at 3:30 & 7:00 pm at the ARMS auditorium, & will discuss the Wildwood building study & possible elementary school configuration. The forum will be recorded & will play later through Amherst Media for those who cannot attend in person. More information about the Wildwood/elementary reconfiguration study & these other topics, including documents with the most Frequently Answered Questions and the district's answers, is available on the school district's web site, www.arps.org.

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Also, recently, a League of Women's Voters (LWV) member Joan Temkin hosted Superintendent Maria Geryk, Assistant Superintendent Mike Morris, & ARPS Human Resources Director Kathryn Mazur in a televised discussion about the possible MS-HS consolidation & the possible elementary school consolidation.  The 40 minute program was produced by Amherst Media and the recording can be viewed here.

One other upcoming opportunity for Crocker Farm families to learn more about the Wildwood study & elementary school options being explored:  Crocker Farm will be holding a Coffee with the Principal next Friday, Oct 9th, which will focus on this topic.  Special guests at the Coffee will include Assistant Superintendent Mike Morris & School Committee member Katherine Appy.  The Crocker Farm monthly Coffees with the Principal are organized & hosted by the Crocker Farm PGO (email: crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com).