Letter: Time for change

The Dublin Education Advisory Committee and Dublin Select Board unanimously recommend withdrawal of Dublin from ConVal and the creation of a Dublin School District. The State Board of Education also voted unanimously to accept Dublin’s proposal to withdraw.

The ConVal School District was formed in the late 1960s when school populations and economic circumstances were very different. The following considerations underlie the withdrawal recommendation: regaining local control of education and finances, protecting quality public education in Dublin, eliminating the longstanding threat to close Dublin Consolidated School, creating opportunities to enrich and improve the education received by all Dublin students, building a firm foundation leading to a strong transition to middle and high school, engaging as a partner in making ConVal education stronger in the upper grades and acting now while Dublin is not encumbered by ConVal municipal bond debt.

The residents of Dublin and the eight other towns in our school district have the opportunity to vote in March 2025 on whether Dublin can withdraw from ConVal. This is an opportunity to adapt to changing circumstances and rethink the structure of education in our region. It is not a new concept; many small towns in our region, including Harrisville, have their own school district and partner with other towns for the higher grades.

The Dublin Select Board unanimously supports the proposed withdrawal and recommends citizens work together and vote for a brighter future for our children and a much fairer tax burden for our citizens. The detailed committee reports, including the minority report submitted to the DOE can be found at townofdublin.org/dublin-education-advisory-committee. We encourage you to review the report and support withdrawal with your vote on March 11. The warrant article to withdraw will be on the ConVal Ballot.

Carole Monroe

Dublin Select Board