Staff debates Riverside Elementary renovations amidst space and performance concerns

Concerns over the proposed expansion of Riverside Elementary School took center stage during the recent Greenwich BET/BOE Budget Public Comment meeting. Educators and community members voiced their apprehensions about the implications of expanding classroom sizes, questioning the necessity and potential drawbacks of the plan.

One speaker highlighted that while the architect had successfully integrated staff input into a single comprehensive plan, the feasibility committee had not prioritized or voted on any recommendations. This raised concerns about the plan's thoroughness and the need for further revisions. The speaker pointed out that Riverside is already a top-performing school, suggesting that increasing classroom sizes by 80 to 100 square feet would not enhance academic performance.

Additionally, the speaker referenced ongoing renovations at El Granito, which were approved by various town bodies, questioning why Riverside needed larger classrooms if El Granito could maintain smaller sizes. There was a palpable worry that more space could lead to larger class sizes, which could negatively impact the quality of education.

The discussion also touched on the logistical challenges of a multi-year renovation, including potential disruptions and misalignments in window placements due to structural changes. The speaker concluded by suggesting that rather than pursuing extensive renovations, the focus should be on maintaining and fixing existing classrooms.

As the meeting wrapped up, the community's concerns about the future of Riverside Elementary School and the proposed changes were clear, signaling a need for further dialogue and consideration before moving forward.