The School Facilities Committee of the Ringwood Board of Education has been meeting for more than 3 years. The committee is comprised of parents, teachers, business people, and other Ringwood taxpayers.  The committee has developed a plan, the School Improvement Project (SIP), that will have a positive impact on learning and improve the teaching environment for the next 30 to 40 years.  After years of insufficient funding for proper maintenance and repairs, the community needs to come together and support funding for SIP.

 

SIP will expand Ryerson and Erskine School and take Hewitt School out of service. The project will provide much needed renovations and improvements to heating, electrical, roofs, windows, etc. at Cooper, Erskine, and Ryerson.  The facilities Committee can put an economical price tag on this project due to the savings accrued through shutting down Hewitt. More than $25 million dollars for the project will come from saved administrative costs for Hewitt.  Another $4 million in educational funds may come from leasing the Hewitt building.

 

On April 21st, 2009 you, as a taxpayer, can voice your opinion in favor of the new school renovations and additions which will provide Ringwood children with the best possible learning environment for the next 30 to 40 years. You will see a return on your tax dollars and you will see improvements in Ringwood Education for years to come. This school improvement program will cost the average Ringwood taxpayer less than $78.00 per year over 30 years.

 

Opinion of Richard A. Schaefer, Board President, Facilities Committee Chairperson, and Webmaster.