We have a building - Gibbs. Please give it back to the town to be used to alleviate the space issue at OMS. If we are going to pay for construction, let it be for a more permanent solution.
W
Wei Wang
10 years ago
Gibbs is a better option!
K
Kelley Sadowski
10 years ago
No more bandaids.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
I want what is best for long term, and while it's a difficult decision, I believe using the Gibbs school may be better aligned with Arlingtons continued increase in enrollment.
Y
Yulian Lazarov
10 years ago
Using a temporary approach to a somewhat permanent problem is not a good solution, especially when not enough is being done to evaluate options. Many families have chosen Arlington in large part based on the increasing competitiveness of its schools - starting with elementary education over the last few years; there is an expectation that work will have to be done and paid for to get the rest of the school system to a higher standard. Town management should consider a bolder and more permanent solution to our school capacity issues to stay competitive and ultimately retain Arlington's trajectory as a great alternative to neighboring communities with larger investments into the school systems. Creating two middle schools (even at a higher cost) would go a long way in making Arlington a more desirable place for families and mitigate the risk of families choosing to move to other communities due to problems with the middle/high school options
B
BJ
10 years ago
We need more information (e.g. feasibility study data) and innovative thinking to help us identify the best path forward for the children in our community.
J
Jami Weber
10 years ago
My son David Weber is in 6th Grade, currently at middle school. I think the town needs to come up with a better solution. We also need to address that Ottoson Middle School is extremely dirty, outdated and several of bathrooms are in desperate need of repair. Also the AHS high school is same and safety concerns and access to building need to be addressed.
E
Elisabeth Beutler
10 years ago
I think it makes more sense to use a building that already exists. I also think it's better for kids to attend school closer to their neighborhood. I went to Gibbs Jr High and it was great!
K
Kathy Sanders
10 years ago
Strongly support Gibbs 6th grade or middle school option and getting independent feasibility studies to better inform our decisions. Thank you
L
Lei Li
10 years ago
Agree
T
Tom Simister
10 years ago
Featured
OMS is unsuitable for an enlarged footprint. The site is challenged already in terms of parking traffic and outdoor space. While the expediency of staffing an expanded OMS might seem like a good idea, the practicality of expansion needs to be considered more holistically.
J
John A Ferreira
10 years ago
Ottoson is not the solution. As others have already said, traffic, lack of green space and overcrowding in common areas are already a problem. Gibbs is the way to go.
G
Gamze Saunders
10 years ago
Ottoson Middle School is very large as it is, it is not healthy for children to be in such a large environment.
P
Pat Sacca
10 years ago
Very disappointed in long term planning in the Town of Arlington.
Who decides on size of new schools, Thompson is a disgrace, it is a brand new school and already bursting at the seams. Rule of thumb always build the largest structure possible, you can always use space for other activities.
C
Christian Olander
10 years ago
Resurrecting the Gibbs Jr. High school is the solution, as the town maintained ownership of that building for scenarios such as this. Yes the Gibbs' tenants are valued by our community, but their interests do not trump the needs of resident's children.
N
Nayda Cuevas
10 years ago
Im looking for the best longterm interest for when my son will attend middle school in 5 years.
G
Gayle Flaherty
10 years ago
Ottoson is too big already. My daughter is Special Ed - using the overcrowded spaces like the cafeteria can be overwhelming. Why don't they use space elsewhere in town for the Special Ed program at least?
K
Katie Garrett
10 years ago
Please commission a feasibility study.
B
Brett Miller
10 years ago
The size of Ottoson is already overwhelming. Expanding it is not in the best interest of the children.
G
Greg Christiana
10 years ago
We need to move quickly, but with the right options considered. And only a feasibility study can tell us that. Let's rush to understand our options, not rush to cull them prematurely.
We have a building - Gibbs. Please give it back to the town to be used to alleviate the space issue at OMS. If we are going to pay for construction, let it be for a more permanent solution.
Gibbs is a better option!
No more bandaids.
I want what is best for long term, and while it's a difficult decision, I believe using the Gibbs school may be better aligned with Arlingtons continued increase in enrollment.
Using a temporary approach to a somewhat permanent problem is not a good solution, especially when not enough is being done to evaluate options. Many families have chosen Arlington in large part based on the increasing competitiveness of its schools - starting with elementary education over the last few years; there is an expectation that work will have to be done and paid for to get the rest of the school system to a higher standard. Town management should consider a bolder and more permanent solution to our school capacity issues to stay competitive and ultimately retain Arlington's trajectory as a great alternative to neighboring communities with larger investments into the school systems. Creating two middle schools (even at a higher cost) would go a long way in making Arlington a more desirable place for families and mitigate the risk of families choosing to move to other communities due to problems with the middle/high school options
We need more information (e.g. feasibility study data) and innovative thinking to help us identify the best path forward for the children in our community.
My son David Weber is in 6th Grade, currently at middle school. I think the town needs to come up with a better solution. We also need to address that Ottoson Middle School is extremely dirty, outdated and several of bathrooms are in desperate need of repair. Also the AHS high school is same and safety concerns and access to building need to be addressed.
I think it makes more sense to use a building that already exists. I also think it's better for kids to attend school closer to their neighborhood. I went to Gibbs Jr High and it was great!
Strongly support Gibbs 6th grade or middle school option and getting independent feasibility studies to better inform our decisions. Thank you
Agree
OMS is unsuitable for an enlarged footprint. The site is challenged already in terms of parking traffic and outdoor space. While the expediency of staffing an expanded OMS might seem like a good idea, the practicality of expansion needs to be considered more holistically.
Ottoson is not the solution. As others have already said, traffic, lack of green space and overcrowding in common areas are already a problem. Gibbs is the way to go.
Ottoson Middle School is very large as it is, it is not healthy for children to be in such a large environment.
Very disappointed in long term planning in the Town of Arlington. Who decides on size of new schools, Thompson is a disgrace, it is a brand new school and already bursting at the seams. Rule of thumb always build the largest structure possible, you can always use space for other activities.
Resurrecting the Gibbs Jr. High school is the solution, as the town maintained ownership of that building for scenarios such as this. Yes the Gibbs' tenants are valued by our community, but their interests do not trump the needs of resident's children.
Im looking for the best longterm interest for when my son will attend middle school in 5 years.
Ottoson is too big already. My daughter is Special Ed - using the overcrowded spaces like the cafeteria can be overwhelming. Why don't they use space elsewhere in town for the Special Ed program at least?
Please commission a feasibility study.
The size of Ottoson is already overwhelming. Expanding it is not in the best interest of the children.
We need to move quickly, but with the right options considered. And only a feasibility study can tell us that. Let's rush to understand our options, not rush to cull them prematurely.