OMS Expansion

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The enrollment at Ottoson is already too high and is threatening the quality of education for our children. We need a plan that includes a second middle school, either at Gibbs or another location. Modular classrooms at Ottoson is a short term fix that does not solve the problem and puts our children at longer term risk.

I oppose the Ottoson expansion and I support utilizing the Gibbs to address Arlington's enrollment challenges.

What we need is a comprehensive feasibility study from an experienced firm in Boston that specializes in urban planning and has done similar projects for other public school systems. We need is an allocation for this kind of project that would look at all the issues holistically and comprehensively, taking into account available space, projected growth rates, needs of educators, and what's important to Arlington families and children. As it stands right now, we are jumping into securing budgets and putting shovels in the ground without really having a sound plan but rather a piecemeal solution that is not weighing various factors and offering the town several options to choose from. We need to spend money on a feasibility study in order to prevent waste of money on solutions that only address components of a problem and may not be financially sound several years from now. No more patchwork solutions please!

What we need is a comprehensive feasibility study from an experienced firm in Boston that specializes in urban planning and has done similar projects for other public school systems. We need is an allocation for this kind of project that would look at all the issues holistically and comprehensively, taking into account available space, projected growth rates, needs of educators, and what's important to Arlington families and children. As it stands right now, we are jumping into securing budgets and putting shovels in the ground without really having a sound plan but rather a piecemeal solution that is not weighing various factors and offering the town several options to choose from. We need to spend money on a feasibility study in order to prevent waste of money on solutions that only address components of a problem and may not be financially sound several years from now. No more patchwork solutions please!

Please, we don't need to have the biggest middle school in the state. Thank you.

I strongly agree that re-opening of the former middle school (Gibbs/Leslie Ellis) should be considered a more sensible plan than trying to expand on Ottoson. The Ottoson students, especially 6th grade, already have a somewhat unreasonable task of navigating a large school labyrinth. Adding on to the school also increase other problems of overcrowding, e.g. limited locker space for gym, long lunch lines, etc. Other proposals must be kept on the table.

I can't agree with increasing the population at Ottoson. Children should have a school nearer to their homes with all the facilities that will enrich their learning.

Those of us who live in the Ottoson neighborhood have seen the Town increase the size and enrollment of the school well beyond its limits. There has to be a more equitable approach to addressing school enrollment increases than increasing the burden on the Ottoson again.

The formed Junior High East (Lesley Ellis) need to be reclaimed and used

A longer term plan with proper execution is much more economical than multiple cheaper short term fixes. Adding modulars to Thompson within an year of renovation to accommodate growing number of students is an example. It is unwise to repeat the same mistake with any Arlington school.

Use the Lesley ellis

Arlington is going to continue to grow in its student population. We need to be proactive in our future planning.

Our child is a Hardy student and we would be much more supportive of the Gibbs as an East Arlington middle school than the expansion of the OMS given its existing space constraints.

A decision with such long-term implications requires more thorough exploration of alternatives and costs associated with these alternatives.

Strongly support using Gibbs. It is in the best interest of our kids.

Clearly, we need a feasability study for the expansion and renovation of the Gibbs building as a second, neighborhood-based middle school. Adding classrooms at an already overcrowded Ottoson creates an untenable situation in which common areas like the cafeteria and gym will not be large enough to support the student population. If it would be too costly to bring the Gibbs up to present-day standards then we need a new building. Period.

We definitely have to look at other options, Gibbs being the best of the bunch.

I strongly agree that reclaiming the Gibbs as a second middle school is the best solution for Arlington. The school was closed when enrollment numbers went down. Now they are up! There it is, owned by the town. Kind of seems like a no-brainer.

We think the addition solution is the wrong direction and strongly urge the task force to focus on Gibbs as a solution.