Are we in Kansas yet?

Date: 11/20/2013

Kudos to Mr. Philip B. Fregeau of Longmeadow, in the Oct. 17 to 23 issue of the weekly Reminder, for his explicit depiction of this sleepy town’s latest tax spending fiasco in a proposal of building a new middle school/schools. Moreover, he concludes, the propensity in which the School Building Committee spends the taxpayers dollar is not only mind blowing but knows no boundaries as well.

Yes, Longmeadow High School is complete, and what a magnificent monument of and to success it does stand. Somewhat resembling Star Trek’s Starship Enterprise. Its spherical dome looms over endless rows of brick and mortar, only to be punctuated squarely on land no bigger than the proverbial postage stamp. And yet the School Building Committee wants more.

According to the most recent public statistic, the Longmeadow school system serves approximately 2,829 students in kindergarten to 12th grade. Of this number, 385 pupils attend Williams Middle School, while the enrollment in Glenbrook Middle School is 353. Both schools are less than 60 years old, the former being built in 1959 and the latter within that same time period.

Although the school population at Williams Middle School has stayed relatively flat over a five-year period, Glenbrook Middle School has exhibited a 9 percent decline of student population juxtapose to that same five-year period. And yet the School Building Committee wants more.

Thus, what an amazing parade of wants and needs does this newly formed School Building Committee desire.

With land being of such a precious commodity, perhaps they could employ the services of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Mary Anne. Remember them? They can figuratively and metaphorically build a hole they can’t get out of. However, if that doesn’t work, they can shut their eyes, click their ruby red shoes and wish not only to be back in Kansas again, but to continue having their wildly illusive pipe dream.

Lorayne Ravosa

Longmeadow