Renovation/replacement plans for the elementary schools of East Lyme never got off the ground. After four years of planning by staff, parents, community members, and the Board of Education plus many designs by an architect, everything was put aside and for good reason. The plans were excellent but their cost far exceeded the financial capacity of the town. Dreams fell prey to financial realities. The decision to stop and reflect was the right one. I was part of last year’s planning group and accepted the inevitable.

Years ago, I had the good fortune to serve as superintendent of the East Lyme Schools. Before coming here, I worked in White Plains, N.Y. After leaving East Lyme, I was superintendent in Grosse Pointe, Mich., and in Greenwich, Conn. In a sense, I have comparison shopped an East Lyme education against other premier districts. I strongly believe that, except for the need to improve its elementary facilities, an East Lyme education is comparable to that offered by those other districts, and at far less cost.

However, facilities do make a difference in a child’s education. We could not afford the last plans but new plans must be created that will fit within the town’s ability to pay and move the district to current educational standards. Those shaping new plans can begin knowing that the following factors have not changed:

1. Parents can expect that their children will continue to receive an excellent education until improvements are made as long as:

a. Well-trained, productive staff are in place at appropriate levels.

b. Class sizes remain small.

c. Adequate support staff remain.

d. Art, music and physical education programs continue.

e. Staff evaluation and curriculum improvement activities remain as priorities.

2. Three elementary schools are not needed to house current or future enrollments. Fewer schools will suffice and create savings to offset costs for improvements

3. All three existing elementary schools have issues. Haynes remains an aging, recycled middle school. The “new” additions placed on Flanders and Niantic in the 1970s were placed on old cores. None meet current educational standards for facilities. As a recent study showed, all need significant and costly improvements.

The East Lyme schools have always been excellent, mainly because of community support. Middle school students are in a relatively new school. The high school was added to and renovated to current standards. One level of schooling remains that needs improvement.

The leadership necessary to get the job done exists within the school administration and the Board of Education. Town leaders have shown their willingness to work with the board in finding answers. There is a will. The way is within reach.

Let’s get started.

Dr. John A. Whritner lives in the Niantic section of East Lyme.