To the editor:

We live in a wonderful town. A quick perusal of our recent paper informs us about the “stellar reviews” of the Nayatt Road paving project, a research study about diamondback terrapin hatchlings, and a community celebration for our All-Star baseball team. Given the generally high quality of life we have become accustomed to here in Barrington, it seems as if we often make too much out of relatively minor issues. A case in point: some of the letters to the editor imply that the shift in school start time changes may just bring an end all that we hold dear. With the school year underway, I believe this is a good time to take stock to address some of the recent themes apparent in the Letters to the Editor.

• A data driven approach: The school committee and all of the related task force/committee recommendations have taken a data driven approach to implementing the school start time change. There is broad consensus among the findings of peer reviewed, empirically sound studies evaluating thousands of school children. This is the most informed way to make our decisions – not making judgments based on “the way things used to be.”

• Comparing Barrington to high performing Massachusetts schools: We are not out of step with our neighbors in Massachusetts, instead we are leading the way. Several of the top-10 districts have already implemented later start times (Belmont), or have voted to do so by Fall 2020 (Dover-Sherborn, Lexington).

• Staff openings: Throughout the year, I see openings for coaches and club advisors – this is not new. One important advantage of the school start time is for people who do not work in Barrington. Several of our coaches are teachers who work in other districts: no doubt it will be much easier for them to arrive for a 3:30 practice/away bus.

• The school committee: This is most concerning. Thinly veiled personal attacks on the integrity on the members of our school committee have become the norm. While running for office, everyone on the SC made their positions on school start time change clear; its implementation should not have come as a surprise. If you find their behavior at the meetings off-putting or distant, please keep in mind that the members are following the ethical rules and guidelines they are sworn to uphold. For example, according to the School Committee Policy Manual, “There will be no dialogue between school committee members and the public at School Committee meetings except to clarify the nature of questions or comments.” Perhaps most importantly, I urge everyone to keep in mind that the members of the SC are our neighbors, the parents of our children’s friends and classmates, and volunteers — giving generously of their free time to help make Barrington schools the best they can be. 

I suggest we all take a collective deep breath, assume the best of one another’s intentions, and see how it all works out. My hunch is, the Barrington we know and love will adapt, thrive, and maybe even become better than before.

Laura Turner

Barrington