Published in the May 27, 2016 edition
By JESSICA VALERIANI
MELROSE – The Melrose School Committee Tuesday voted unanimously to move the public forum originally scheduled for next week to Saturday, June 11, at 9 a.m.
This public forum will include the discussion of potentially moving fifth graders to the middle school and eighth graders to Melrose High. At press time, the meeting place had not been determined.
The Permanent School Building Committee reached out to School Committee Chairman Margaret Driscoll expressing that the complexities around the spacing and configuration make it difficult for the committee to meet with the community on May 31, as originally planned.
“They were unanimous and felt very strongly that this was the right thing to do given the complexity and in order to provide the most accurate and thorough information that they possibly could at this time,” said Driscoll.
Four dates were presented to the School Committee for the rescheduling. The Permanent School Building Committee wanted to keep the date of the forum before the end of the school year. The options were the morning of June 11, June 15 at 7 p.m., June 16 at 7 p.m., or the morning of June 18.
Committee members strongly took into account which date would work best not only for themselves but, more importantly, the public. They are expecting a large turnout at the forum and wanted to find a date that will accommodate the majority of the people. Mayor Robert J. Dolan pointed out that weeknights are hard for working parents as they have responsibilities and events for their kids to attend come nighttime.
“I find Saturday mornings to be far better attended meetings,” said Mayor Dolan. “Every single meeting we’ve had on a Saturday has had a bigger crowd.”
The decision on whether to move the fifth graders to the middle school and eighth graders to Melrose High will not be decided at this public forum as there are other factors behind the decision.
