Because of my respect for the School Committee and Dr. Hunter, I am all the more disappointed by their handling of the new school’s name.
Concord voters elected the School Committee; agreed to fund the costly new middle school; approved the construction override; and this year (over the Finance Committee’s reservations) approved the School Committee’s budget — at considerable cost to our households. The only thing voters asked in turn was that the new school be named in honor of Ellen Garrison — like Alcott is named for Bronson Alcott, Thoreau for Henry David Thoreau, Willard for Simon Willard, Ripley for Ezra Ripley, Peabody for Elizabeth Peabody, and Sanborn for Franklin Sanborn. That would have been a compromise.
How disappointing that they insisted on their exclusive prerogative to name the school, as though that were the issue. Under pressure, they re-directed the voters’ appeal, naming the stone-cold building—but not the vibrant school—after Garrison. And called it a compromise.
Far from being divisive, naming our schools is an essential way by which we educate the community’s common values and burnish Concord’s worldwide reputation. “Ellen Garrison Middle School” conveys that people of color have been here all along, important in furthering freedom in Concord and beyond. Everyone needs to know that.
From my perspective, in one decision the School Committee withholds the full honor from Concordian Garrison & her family, treats Town Meeting like an ATM, and, saddest of all, fails the children and families— all of us — who could have been educated and encouraged by equally honoring the black educator/activist Garrison in the same ways we honor Alcott, Thoreau and all of our honorable white educators/activists. With respect, this decision is a disservice to the community.
Maureen Kemeza
Davis Court
