To Regionalize or not to Regionalize; that is (often) the Question

By EJay Lockwood
People who have lived in Norfolk for some time are likely to be familiar with the various attempts to regionalize town services. As it specifically pertains to Botelle School, these efforts have taken place for decades and are once again being considered.
Discussions are being held on two levels concerning a regionalized approach to elementary school education for Norfolk. The Board of Education of Region 7, (Barkhamsted, Colebrook, New Hartford, and Norfolk for grades 7 to 12) is starting a dialogue on the subject, while the Selectmen in Norfolk and Colebrook are working together to form a committee to study the possibility of joining schools and school services.
While regionalization has been talked about for many years, action has yet to be taken, because there are good arguments on both sides. Those in favor of a regional approach often stress the economies of scale or efficiencies that can be gained when combining smaller budgets. The belief is that these financial savings can be passed on to the taxpayers and/or re-directed to budget lines that benefit the learning environment of the students. In contrast, many who favor local control are concerned about taking the biggest item in the town’s budget and moving the decision-making process into a regional arena, that may or may not always be an accurate reflection of Norfolk’s preferences and values.
Some of the points made in this argument also emerged in the 2008 Town Survey (referenced on Page 29 of Norfolk’s 2009 Plan of Conservation and Development,) when residents were asked about their level of satisfaction with the services provided by the town. The educational system was substantially endorsed in the survey. Comments indicated a strong desire to keep the local elementary school in Norfolk in order for the town to be a “complete” community. However townspeople were also in favor of regional cooperation for items such as reducing municipal infrastructure costs, for example, pooling and sharing the expense of large machinery operations and joint purchase of treated road salt. Given the sentiments expressed in the Town Survey, it is interesting that 21% of the current Botelle School budget is actually already “regionalized” in areas of shared purchasing arrangements

As far back as the early 1970’s there was a Joint Central Office (JCO) that included Norfolk, Barkhamsted, and Colebrook. The rationale behind the JCO was to coordinate curriculum, budget, facility planning, and the implementation and oversight of state laws. In 1991, Colebrook withdrew, but Norfolk and Barkhamsted kept the JCO intact. In 1993, the Regional 7 Board of Education voted to approach the feeder towns to discuss regionalizing the elementary schools. Norfolk and Barkhamsted agreed to enter into discussions, and formed a study committee. The group recommended a regional approach to Kindergarten through grade 12, but at a referendum in each of the four towns, the motion was defeated, 578 to 533. Colebrook was evenly split on the question, and New Hartford was against the idea by more than a 3 to 1 margin.

In 2000 the JCO was disbanded. Norfolk’s Board of Education hired a part-time superintendent for Botelle in July 2001. Two years later, the Norfolk and Colebrook Boards of Education discussed sharing programs. In June 2006, a public forum was held in Norfolk concerning the Colebrook collaboration, but the Norfolk Board of Education subsequently voted to end the discussions. In 2007, another meeting was held with all of the Region7 feeder towns, but no agreements were reached and no further meetings were held.

Finally, in 2008, Colebrook again approached Norfolk about regionalization, and the Boards of Education from both towns were asked to endorse a study of the pros and cons. The Norfolk board voted to pursue a tuition-based approach, but would not consider anything beyond that, until both towns had signaled their willingness to hold town-wide referendums. Talks were stalled until this past February, when the Colebrook Board of Education requested a formal study, which has been supported by the First Selectmen and Finance chairpersons of both towns.

Consequently, the Norfolk Board of Education will hold a public forum to discuss the feasibility of collaboration between Colebrook Consolidated School and Botelle School. Board members will be on hand to receive suggestions and comments and to answer questions concerning the issue. The forum will be held on April 21 at 7 p.m. in the Botelle cafeteria.

Photos By Colleen Gundlach