December 17, 2021
Dear Parents/Guardians of MSAD #60,
This correspondence is sent to inform you of an educational programming shift starting next Fall, the 2022-2023 school year. There are many challenges across the kindergarten through fifth grade schools that need to be addressed specifically regarding space. The most immediate and pressing issue is that of space at North Berwick Elementary School. For those of you who currently have students at North Berwick Elementary School, and those of you who recently had students matriculate out of North Berwick Elementary School, you have experienced these space challenges.
The Building Committee, Facilities and Finance Committee, Board of Directors along with school/district administrators and staff considered three potential solutions to address space issues at North Berwick Elementary School. Those included:
Installing modulars on the current No. Berwick campus to increase classroom space
Relocating fifth grade to Mary Hurd Academy
Relocating fifth grade to E. L. Knowlton School in Berwick
Many factors came into play as these three solutions were reviewed. The Board had lengthy discussions regarding student learning and space opportunities, safety, facilities and accessibility, and budgetary challenges. They also had the opportunity for building tours to have a full understanding of the current use of facilities and impact of space needs on students. The Board came to the conclusion that the most viable solution to provide the best learning environment for the students is to have fifth graders attend classes at the E.L. Knowlton School for the 2022-2023 school year and for some years beyond.
As many of you know, in November, all three elementary building projects were defeated by voters. The projects addressed several things including, but not limited to, the age and function of Lebanon Elementary School, the growing space challenges at North Berwick Elementary School, the anticipation of adding public pre-kindergarten to district schools, and population increases in the three towns. The building projects would not be completed in time for this coming school year and the Building Committee, Facilities and Finance Committee along with the Board of Directors and the administration had already been thinking of the stop gap measures to address North Berwick Elementary School’s overcrowding issues. With the potential of the building projects passing, we had hoped for a short term solution. With the defeat, this will likely be a longer term option.
Please be aware that the interest of our students was the major contributing factor toward this decision. There is more than adequate space at the Knowlton School for the fifth graders from No. Berwick to seamlessly transition into the school building. It is already functioning as an upper elementary school space.
Further information will be provided as the year progresses. Everyone is invested in making this transition smooth and successful for students and families.
Sincerely,
Audra Beauvais
Superintendent of Schools