TELL US: Your Thoughts On the SMARTR Committee's Plan?

Earlier this week, the School Modernization and Reinvestment Team Revisited (SMARTR) Committee formally presented a plan to the Manchester Board of Directors and Board of Education that would drastically alter the shape of Manchester's public schools. 

Under the proposal, the town would establish a joint fifth/sixth grade academy at the site of the current Elisabeth M. Bennet Academy, as well as expand and renovate two existing elementary schools "like new" while closing two others by the year 2020. In total, the projects would cost an estimated $100 million, with Manchester taxpayers responsible for about $40 million of those costs after state reimbursements.

But their are still a number of questions that remain, such as: which elementary schools would be renovated, and which closed, what happens if the public does not get behind every aspect of the plan, and many more? 

Town leaders had their chance to ask questions and express their opinions on this topic on Monday, but  now Manchester Patch is giving you a chance to sound off on this critical issue affecting Manchester too. 

Do you think this is a good idea? Will it improve the quality of education in Manchester Public Schools? Is it worth it? 

The SMARTR Committee's full presentation is attached to this article as a PDF. 

Leave your thoughts on this subject in the comments section below, and please remember to be polite to your friends and neighbors on Manchester Patch and adhere to Patch's Terms of Use policy when commenting!