The Board of Education will hold two final public information sessions this month about the Long Range Plan for the Milford Public School district, a plan that includes the possible closing of one of the three middle schools in the next three to five years. Citizens will have the opportunity to learn about the Long Range Planning work and decisions and may address the board with any thoughts. The dates of the public information sessions are: • Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at Jonathan Law High School. • Monday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at Joseph A. Foran High School.
The plan
The board is considering closing Harborside Middle School after the planned renovation and expansion of West Shore Middle School is completed. The completion of that renovation is expected in three to five years. The board also plans to develop specialty programs linked to college and career pathways within each high school. At this time, the board is undecided on whether to close an elementary school.
Resident input
A brief presentation will be delivered at the beginning of each session, after which residents who wish to address the board may do so, according to Chairman Susan Glennon. Residents are allotted three minutes each to speak to the board. Over the past two years, the Board of Education has conducted a Long Range Planning study to address the future needs of the Milford Public Schools in light of declining enrollment. Initially, a Long Range Planning Committee was formed, consisting of more than 30 members of the community. In March, the committee completed its work and presented its recommendations to the board. “Since then, the Board of Education has spent many hours reviewing the work conducted by the Long Range Planning Committee and has examined each of its recommendations, along with some other options,” Glennon said. All of the research, data, and discussion notes are available on the Milford Public Schools website at milforded.org under the Board of Education tab. The board expects to adopt a final plan at its October 13 regular business meeting, which will be held at City Hall at 7 p.m.