Dear Bristol and South Bristol Families,
We’re excited to share the news that our school boards are partnering to actively explore the formation of a more independent administrative structure called an Educational Service Center (ESC).
Our neighboring towns have a history of working together to support our students and we look forward to continued collaboration through the creation of this ESC. We currently share programming and staff for music, athletics and outside learning opportunities. Bristol Consolidated School (BCS) and South Bristol School (SBS) staff partner on professional development and training opportunities and our ongoing collaboration illustrates a shared philosophy of student-centered education. We see value in expanded opportunities for joint programming and anticipate greater flexibility to share resources as we move into this new model with guidance from the Department of Education.
If we move ahead with this, we want to assure everyone that Bristol Consolidated School and South Bristol School will remain independent schools with independent boards and will be funded by their independent communities. The services provided by the jointly-funded and jointly-governed ESC would simply replace the administrative and financial tasks currently managed by the AOS central office. The ESC would mostly function “behind the scenes” and students, parents, and teachers should expect only minimal disruptions to their school experience during the transition to this new administrative model. Services provided by the ESC would include superintendent, business office, special education, and IT, as well as the administration of facility maintenance, nutrition, and transportation. We are excited to imagine an administrative team focused specifically on the needs of our students and staff, and located right here in our communities.
More details can be found on the school websites and we encourage anyone with questions or concerns to attend their community school board meetings, or to email their questions and concerns to their school board chairs.
Sincerely,
Members of the Bristol Consolidated School and South Bristol School Restructuring Committee:
John Armentrout, South Bristol resident, SBS staff, Restructuring Committee Co-Chair
Emile Lugosch, Bristol resident, BCS board member, Restructuring Committee Co-Chair
Christina Bradbury, Bristol resident, BCS staff
Darin Carlucci, BCS board chair
Becky Cooper, BCS board member
Christian Cotz, SBS board member
John Cough, BCS staff member
Angela Farrin, South Bristol resident, school volunteer
Sarah Kennedy, BCS parent
Sara Mitchell, SBS board member
Andy Mullin BCS, BCS staff
Jennifer M. Ribeiro, BCS principal
Laurie Stiles, SBS principal,