Alarmed by drastically declining enrollments in their two elementary schools, the first selectmen in Norfolk and Colebrook have again raised the topic of consolidation. Last week, we looked at the reasons they advocate for some kind of cooperative arrangement between the towns. This week, the educators respond.
School administrators in Colebrook and Norfolk have differing views about the future of their institutions. Both schools have far fewer students than in previous decades, but Colebrook is happy with its educational direction, while Norfolk is looking for solutions to small class sizes and the challenges of providing enrichment on a limited budget.
In Norfolk, the 2024 graduating class had only four members, the same number as this year’s fifth grade. In Colebrook, class sizes are very slightly more robust—no class has fewer than six students. Colebrook currently has 64 students enrolled in pre-K through grade 6, while Norfolk has 59.
But Colebrook, which has committed to maintaining one teacher for each grade, has consistently scored higher in standardized testing than Norfolk, where a multi-age classroom model requires only four regular classroom teachers.
Colebrook Consolidated Superintendent Robert Gilbert believes that not having a range of ages and skill levels in a classroom gives students an advantage. “Teaching is challenging enough with one grade,” he said.
Botelle Superintendent Mary Beth Iacobelli argues that multi-age classrooms provide students with a better social milieu. “In a larger group, [a child] is more likely to find a peer with similar interests,” she said, “and they can work together with others of the same learning level.”
Both school superintendents agree that classes can be too small and both towns have engaged in sporadic talks since the 1990s to discuss some kind or merger. In 2015, the most recent effort ended with an emphatic rejection by Colebrook of a proposal to send its children to Botelle.
Iacobelli reports that since then overtures have been made to Colebrook, “but Colebrook does not want anything to do with sending their kids to Norfolk.”
“Colebrook is happy where it is,” confirmed Colebrook school board chair Sarah Robichaud.
The two towns do share some programs and teachers for special subjects such as art and music. Field trips and cultural events are also sometimes shared.
Gilbert does not favor consolidation. He said the school board hopes to attract tuition students to solve the paucity of enrollment. “If Norfolk wants to pay tuition to send its kids here, we’re happy to have them,” he said.
But both Iacobelli and Norfolk school board chairman Virginia Coleman-Prisco see a problem. “What if we signed a contract with them and then things changed?” asked Coleman-Prisco. “What if they couldn’t take our kids any more or we have a special needs child that needs an expensive program, and they don’t want to take [him/her]?”
Coleman-Prisco said, “As chairman of the school board, I must take into consideration what is good for the town. It’s a complex issue that needs data and research. It impacts the town, the students and their families.
“But, speaking personally, if a town does not have a school, it is like not having a library or a post office. If you don’t have [amenities] there are plenty of towns that do where families can buy homes.”
Jonathan Costa, the consultant who worked with the towns on the unsuccessful 2015 merger, suggested informally that each town keep its school, but send combined grades pre-K to 3 to one school and grades 4 to 6 to the other.
“Both towns would have their schools, but class sizes would increase,” Iacobelli said. “We thought it was very exciting, but Colebrook said they don’t want to send any kids to Norfolk.”
Colebrook’s Robichaud confirmed this, saying she did not see many benefits to the proposal.
Next week, we look at how parents feel about any attempted consolidation.