Last week we learned of a recommendation from consultants to close four of our smallest elementary schools. No surprise there – the only real question was whether they would recommend closing some or all of them.

But has the School Board considered what might come next? Let us assume that the board obtains the required two-thirds vote to authorize these closures – unlikely, but not impossible. Do we suppose that the residents of these towns would quietly accept this verdict and close their schools? That doesn’t seem very likely from the opinions expressed so far. It seems more likely that they would express frustration and anger, and perhaps withdraw from ConVal.

There is another way forward which offers the possibility of substantial consolidation and savings without depriving the small towns of their schools – close both of the middle schools instead. This would involve moving the fifth and perhaps the sixth grades back to the elementary schools, and designating part of the high school as a junior high for grades seven through nine. The ConVal articles of agreement do not mandate middle schools. They merely state that students in grades five to eight may be educated at middle schools in Antrim and Peterborough.

Antrim and Peterborough could decide whether to keep their elementary schools where they are or to move them to the middle school buildings. The excess buildings could then be repurposed – possibly even as much-needed housing.

Such a major change would not be easily accomplished. It would probably need to be implemented over at least two years so no middle school student would have to be moved back to elementary school. But it is possible, and it would demonstrate respect for the residents of all our towns.

Abby Meyer 

Peterborough.