LETTERS

A plea for 3 high schools

Posted 6/11/15

To the Editor:

Having lived in Warwick for the past 57 years and having taught in its school system from 1962 to 1994, I would humbly like to express my opinion concerning possible school …

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LETTERS

A plea for 3 high schools

Posted

To the Editor:

Having lived in Warwick for the past 57 years and having taught in its school system from 1962 to 1994, I would humbly like to express my opinion concerning possible school closures. Although there is no perfect solution, one must be adopted in the near future. Of the plans presented by SMMA, I feel that the best one is to turn Warwick Vets and Pilgrim into junior-senior high schools. To close one of our three high schools will only cause another bitter discussion, which should be avoided. The section of the city that loses its high school will lose part of the fabric of that community.

The average size of America’s high schools is about 850 students. We have about 900 in each of our high schools. I believe that most residents will accept the plan sending seventh and eighth graders from Gorton to Warwick Vets and those from Aldrich to Pilgrim. The cost for this plan, according to SMMA, is about $142 million, which is the middle of the five proposal plans.

Warwick is a fine city and has good schools. We do not need “magnet” schools, which have not helped the Providence high schools. What we need are good comprehensive public high schools that enable each student to reach his/her potential. Honors classes, AP classes, special education programs and good discipline must be maintained. If not, more parents will be looking to send their children to private or charter schools.

Bob Salerno

Retired teacher,

Coach and Department

Chairperson

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