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Westport Dad Launches Petition Against 'Monster' Middle School

A Westport father is rallying the community as he attempts to prevent the school district from creating what he dubbed a “monster school.”

A change.org petition has been started in opposition of a plan to consolidate middle schools in Westport.

A change.org petition has been started in opposition of a plan to consolidate middle schools in Westport.

Photo Credit: Change.org

Poll
Do You Support A Possible 'Mega' Middle School In Westport
Final Results Voting Closed

Do You Support A Possible 'Mega' Middle School In Westport

  • Yes.
    26%
  • It would be a monster.
    54%
  • Undecided
    21%

Earlier this year, the Coleytown Middle School in Westport was forced to shut down for the year due to an ongoing mold problem. The emergency closure left the 450 Coleytown elementary school students and staff split between Bedford Middle School and Staples High School.

One of the proposals included the consolidation of every middle school in the district into one school in Bedford, drawing the ire of some opposed to the “monster school.” The district’s Community Advisory Committee also rejected the proposal by a vote of 14 to 1.

In response, to the proposal, Robert Harrington kicked off a change.org petition - named Stop Bedford "Monster" School: Urge Westport's Board of Ed to reject 1300 students @ BMS. The petition quickly garnered more than 500 signatures from area residents opposed to the idea of cramming more than 1,000 students and 200 teachers into one school building.

“Today we heard that it is not at the top of our administration's list to implement. Several Board of Education members stated it was their least favorite option,” Harrington noted. “However it is being referred to ‘the default option.’ This idea should be dead in the water. 

"However, many of us strongly fear that it is not. The list of options ahead of this are short. Very short. It is imperative that our leaders find a positive and viable solution so that we don't have to implement this worse case situation.

“Don't be fooled. It is still on the table. We need to send a powerful message to our Administration and to our Board of Education members that this is not a viable option. It cannot be.”

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