As an Amherst resident and parent, I’m grateful there was a charter school in Easthampton that finally met our needs.
We gave our local elementary school their chance, but it didn’t work out. If you are a parent, you know how important it is to get your kids into classrooms where they are happy and able to succeed.
Is my family killing Amherst schools as a writer claimed in a recent Gazette guest column?
I don’t think so. Amherst’s living expenses are high and that drives families away. Result: Demographics working against full classrooms. Rational response: Either work to attract more families to Amherst (Build more affordable housing? Expand downtown?), or reduce the size of our schools and their budgets based on the population forecasts.
Blaming the small minority of us who have found our way to charter schools because of unmet needs only divides the community when it ought to be coming together to make our fine town more friendly, attractive, open and affordable.
Don’t blame my kids for the errors of their elders, please. How about we all get on the same page and seek ways to revitalize our community? If anyone wants to brainstorm about that, sans rancor, I’m game.
Alexander Hiam
Amherst