Residents of Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge are preparing to vote on November 4 regarding funding for a new high school to replace the aging Monument Mountain High School. The proposal comes in response to growing concerns about safety, health, and the suitability of the current facility, which was built in the mid-1960s and has undergone no major renovations since its construction.
In a recent letter to the editor, local veterinarian and parent Emily Newman Stanton expressed her apprehension each morning as she drops her children off at the school. She highlighted that the building’s infrastructure is deteriorating, classrooms lack adequate lighting, and the environment fails to meet modern educational standards. Stanton emphasized that these issues are compounded by serious safety risks associated with older construction materials, such as asbestos and lead paint, which pose significant health hazards to students.
Stanton pointed out that the current structure is not only outdated but also designed without consideration for contemporary safety protocols. “The building’s layout does not allow for secure access or effective lockdown measures,” she stated. This concern is particularly relevant given that the school experienced multiple lockdowns last year due to threats, which, although unfounded, created a climate of fear among students and parents alike.
The call for a new facility is not merely about aesthetics or comfort, but rather a crucial step towards ensuring a safe learning environment. Stanton noted that the current building reflects design principles from an era when the awareness of school violence was minimal. As a result, students are practicing active shooter drills in a structure that was never intended for such realities.
The community faces a pivotal moment, as the state has pledged nearly $60 million toward the construction of a new high school, marking a once-in-a-generation opportunity for significant change. Stanton urged her fellow residents to recognize the importance of this decision, emphasizing that failing to act could lead to another decade of students being educated in an unsafe and uninspiring environment.
“Our children deserve better,” Stanton concluded, reiterating the collective responsibility to provide a safe and healthy space for the next generation. With the upcoming vote, the future of Monument Mountain High School hangs in the balance, highlighting the critical intersection of education, health, and community safety.
