Is it sensible to move the middle school away from its students (i.e. those within a mile of Rundlett)? Nothing on the middle school project website treats the walkability of Rundlett as an advantage. There is no mention of the health benefits of walking to school or the social benefits, nor transportation costs and environmental impacts avoided. The project website shows only designs using the existing Rundlett site. Comparisons of Rundlett land to other district-owned land don’t mention walkability of Rundlett as an advantage. No numbers are shown as to impact on families who chose to purchase (at a premium) houses near the school (where it has been for 60 years), in part so their children could walk to school. Were these parents/owners surveyed?
No discussion about more school buses stopping traffic in downtown Concord at rush hour (and safety issues), expenses of upgrading Clinton Street, etc. The same lack of transparency applies to the discussion of “renovate” versus build new. $80,000,000 to renovate versus $80,500,000 for new, but what are the projected costs and assumptions for “renovate?” Can the new layout be a mix? Abbot-Downing was built on the Conant site. We know we can building a new school on an existing site. How do you answer our children when they ask whether you considered their health and the climate impacts of 30-50 years of additional bus trips (plus demolition)? Transparency. Give us detailed numbers and assumptions.
Bert Cooper
Concord