Letter: Westport's fine educators need facilities to match

Posted 2/17/18

To the editor:

I have been following the process for the new school building project in Westport and based on comments that I’ve heard, I feel the need to respond. Coming out of eighth grade, I …

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Letter: Westport's fine educators need facilities to match

Posted

To the editor:

I have been following the process for the new school building project in Westport and based on comments that I’ve heard, I feel the need to respond. Coming out of eighth grade, I had to make a decision about where to attend high school. I was told by some that Westport schools were not the place to go if I wanted to reach my full potential. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to explore other area high schools, but ultimately I decided on Westport. I’m here to tell you that attending Westport High school was the best decision I’ve made, and I would do it the same way all over again if provided the opportunity.

I have heard for far too long that those who come out of Westport have “limited options after school.” My experiences, along with those of my classmates, prove otherwise. In fact, Westport graduates have the same opportunities as graduates from other high schools, public and private. Many of my friends and former classmates would tell you the same thing. I know several teachers, health care providers, financial advisers, mechanics or entrepreneurs, whom would tell you that their time in the Westport school system was extremely rewarding. Even further than that, they would tell you their education and experiences that they acquired while in the Westport school system helped them to excel in college and eventually in their fields. I know this because it has often been the topic of conversation in recent weeks.

I graduated from high school almost five years ago not knowing what life had in store for me. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go but was confident that Westport schools had prepared me for my next endeavor. Eventually, I would go on to graduate from UMass Amherst, Class of 2017, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and had multiple job offers awaiting me upon graduation. In college I competed with students from private and public schools from all over the state. Not once did I feel my prior education was inferior to my peers in college.

Everything I learned through my years in the school system paid off and helped me to navigate through college academically and socially. I learned some of life’s most valuable lessons walking the halls of Westport schools, and made some of my best friends there. My high school teachers instilled in me independence and hard work, they showed us how to function in society and how to use the skills to build a future for ourselves. There was never once a time in my life where I felt inferior to my peers based upon our levels of high school education. Quite the contrary actually, I have always felt extremely confident in the education and experiences presented to me in the Westport school system.

Westport students and faculty deserve the opportunity to work and learn in state of the art facilities. Wouldn’t it be great to provide our teachers with these resources and support the children of this community for years to come? Wouldn’t it be nice if the school system could be something that everyone in town could be proud of rather than it just being the students and teachers that work in and attend the schools. Our system has always had awesome teachers, staff, and implementation of academic planning. However, now it’s time for our town to step up and help to provide a modern and reputable learning facility that will benefit all facets of our educational system. The argument that this new school is not worth supporting because our school system is inadequate of itself is not a valid one. Our teachers, administrators, coaches, and all other staff members deserve to work in a facility that best suits them and their commitment to bettering our community with their hard work and sacrifice.

Voting yes on the school building project is the only reasonable option. Although I do understand those who cannot afford the increase in taxes, the school building needs are not going to go away, as it is only going to cost more in the future. What I can say is that this is an investment for the community, it's an investment in your children and grandchildren. I don't know what my future holds, but I believe that I will be a part of this community for years to come. I would be blessed to raise a family here and have them receive the same wonderful education I did in Westport. I know the feeling is mutual for many of my friends. So please, vote yes for the new school.

Christopher Hartnett

Westport High Graduate 2013

Ryan Medeiros (co-author)

Westport High Graduate 2012

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