Leave Botelle School Alone

My girls love going to school every single day. They look forward to being with their friends. They look forward to having fun with their teachers. They look forward to gym class, music class, band, art, library and maker space. They love EVERYTHING about their school. 

I was recently asked why I think nobody showed up to the recent [joint Selectmen’s] meeting in Colebrook. I’ll tell you why. It’s because it’s been made very clear to me by articles that I’ve read and by people that I’ve talked to that Colebrook does not want to consolidate. They do not want to split grades and they don’t want to send their kids to Botelle. So why would I go there when I know there is no chance to come together with a plan that benefits both towns? 

Keep the school open. Leave Botelle alone. Every single staff member in that school has made my child feel special. When they go to work every day, my child’s education and well-being is their number one priority. I don’t believe Matt Riiska when he said it’s less about money and more about providing a wide array of academic and social opportunities. Between PTO events, library events, field trips and MANY more, I am not concerned at ALL about my child’s academic or social opportunities. I think to him and many others it IS about money and to cover up how they really feel about it, they are bashing the quality of education instead.

The question is asked constantly in this town: What can we do to bring more families here? I can certainly tell you what won’t bring young families to this town, and that’s closing Botelle School. What young family would even consider moving here if it didn’t have a thriving school. Surely not everybody in this town is for shipping all its students to another town. Where is everybody? Why isn’t anybody speaking out in favor of keeping Botelle School open? I know I’m not the only one. Where are you? 

–Jenna Brown