Everyone loses with a yes vote on Article 11
Fall Mountain Regional High School (FMRHS) was formed after a regional agreement was created in the early 1960s between the towns of Acworth, Alstead, Charlestown, Langdon and Walpole. In addition, they also welcome students from the towns of Goshen, Lempster and Unity.
FMRHS has approximately 494 students in grades 9-12, with a student teacher ratio of 12 to 1. It has a B- overall Niche Grade (based on statistics and opinions from students and parents).
In the next week, residents in the FMRSD will be voting to allow or deny Charlestown to withdraw from the school district.
It is estimated that 40% of students at FMRHS come from Charlestown. If Charlestown were to withdraw, it would decimate the high school. Possibly half of the teachers would be laid off. Most likely many extracurricular programs would have to shut down. It is probable that programs like the agriculture and horticulture programs would be cut. Alliances with the tech centers in Keene and Springfield would become unavailable for Charlestown students.
The high school building was built to sustain about 500 students. Removal of even 200 students over the next 4 years would have a negative effect on the students and the towns that still support the district. Reliance on Charlestown’s taxes to help fund programs would cease. Even if FMRSD were to accept tutitioned students into their school, they would have no guarantee of how many students would be attending year to year. They would not be able to create a sustainable budget. Everyone loses in this scenario.
Please vote no on Article 11 on March 10.
Joseph DeBartolomao
Charlestown, NH
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