We are writing to echo the letter written by Connie Alexander.

The 89-year-old Tisbury School is a tired, cramped, outdated school. It no longer adequately serves the next generation of students in Tisbury. The school does not meet the basic educational standards for general education and does not allow for inclusion of special education students. The kitchen, cafeteria and gym are outdated and insufficient to serve the volume of students. The gym cannot host championship games and the bleachers come onto the court. The windows are fogged; the heating/cooling systems are tired. The lack of space not only limits inclusion, it limits the teacher’s ability to incorporate creativity and flexibility to meet the needs of all students.

The building cannot be renovated or rebuilt for less than the projected costs of a new, modern and more efficient building. In fact, the MSBA grant would not partner with Tisbury on a renovation because of the excess cost and limitation to a rebuild.

The new building and grounds will better serve students, teachers, administrators and town citizens for generations. It should improve traffic, safety and the overall appearance of the neighborhood.

Local contractors/builders that are certified for this type of work and approved by MSBA may gain up to two years or more of work.

We are parents of two children who will have graduated from the Tisbury School before the new building opens. While we won’t gain directly from a new physical building, we support the school and accept the tax burden because it will improve the education of student for generations. Our town will benefit from the enhanced school, property and jobs. The new school will be more inclusive and more handicapped accessible.

The school is 89 years old. It needs to be replaced. The question is not if but when. It is expensive; it is an investment in our youth and in our town. If we do not approve it at town meeting or the ballot, we will lose the $14.5 million of grant money. The project will be even more expensive in the near future. Additionally we will waste the money that we taxpayers have already invested in the project to date. Let’s follow the courageous steps of the Tisbury residents of 1929, who in the midst of a depressed economy saw the value of schools and our children.

Sonya Stevens and Michael Watts
Vineyard Haven