During a recent town hall meeting focused on the future of Walden Elementary School, community members gathered to discuss the ongoing planning and development process for the school. The meeting, which was live-streamed and will be available for later viewing on the district's website, emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue centered solely on the school's future.

The meeting marked the transition into Phase 2 of a three-phase approach initiated last year. This phase involves sharing the results of a feasibility report, which was conducted by the Walden committee. The committee has been actively gathering community feedback and comparing Walden's facilities to those of other elementary schools in the district. They also visited new school buildings in other districts to inform their recommendations.

Key points discussed included the committee's recommendation for a new building to be constructed on a new site, as the current Walden Elementary does not meet all state requirements. The feasibility report presented two enrollment size options for the future school: one accommodating approximately 420 students and another for about 540 students.

The board of education is expected to review the committee's recommendations and, following state approval, will present the final decision to the community for a vote. The next special meeting to discuss these findings is scheduled for October 30 at the high school.

Community members expressed gratitude for the district's responsiveness throughout the process, highlighting the importance of advocacy for the students of Walden Elementary. As the planning progresses, the district aims to ensure that all voices are heard and considered in shaping the future of the school.