We, the undersigned, demand that the majority of the Hawlemont School Committee resign in order to ensure that the two-district agreement is renewed.

(This petition is intended for residents of Charlemont/Hawley in addition to Hawlemont parents/staff.)

For over fifty years, Hawlemont has been in a two-district agreement under which Hawlemont shares a multitude of critical administrative services with Mohawk Trail.

At a joint meeting on Thursday 2/17/22, representatives from the Mohawk Trail School Committee made it clear that they would not renew the two-district agreement unless there is a change in composition on the Hawlemont School Committee. The Mohawk Trail School Committee is dedicated to protecting and retaining their talented and qualified administrative staff.

The termination of the two-district agreement would be a catastrophic blow to the Hawlemont community. If Hawlemont becomes a single-district school next year, it will remain open in the short-term but there will be a devastating reduction in support and services afforded to the students, teachers and staff. Shared services include but are not limited to: superintendent, special education director, business manager, IT services, transportation, district nurse leader, certified school librarian, professional development, and curriculum development.

Operating Hawlemont independently is financially impossible in the long term. The towns of Charlemont and Hawley could see a 25-30% increase in the school budget if Hawlemont does not remain in the two-district agreement. This would dramatically increase the likelihood of school closure.

The resignation of the majority of the Hawlemont School Committee is the only way we can ensure that the school is properly funded and that the students, teachers and staff are adequately supported.