February 2025

Upcoming School Bond Vote

Submitted by Scott O'Brien, On Behalf of the MTSD School Board

Through the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, the Board of Trustees has determined the Milton Town School District (MTSD) will be seeking the approval of an $8 million Bond. The Facilities Committee has wrestled with how to approach the health and safety concerns, code compliance issues, and aged infrastructure of Herrick Ave. These areas along with the new demands of technology and changes to educational methodology require immediate action. In keeping with the chartered duties, the MTSD Facilities Committee will provide guidance, oversight, and, when appropriate, specialized expertise in the following areas: (1) Long-range physical planning; (2) Capital renewal; (3) Capital projects; (4) Facilities-related policies and procedures; and (5) Operations and maintenance. 

Some background information is necessary for context and how we have come to this conclusion and place. Roughly 5 years ago, the Board at the time, proposed a rebuilding of the Herrick Avenue facility. Three options were presented to meet the changing needs of education and aging infrastructure. This idea, while well-presented, intensely communicated with the community, and thoroughly planned and vetted, was not met with enough enthusiasm to be put out to the public for a vote. This decision has had a lasting impact as many of the infrastructure, code and life safety issues that would have been addressed were left to linger. Aged infrastructure only gets older. While patched, band-aided and doing the best possible there comes a time when it is simply time to fully replace it. In the same sense as a homeowner needing to replace a heating system, roof or worn carpet, so must a school. As a family grows and needs change in the household so does a school building.  

This year the school is faced with a decision for some capital improvements. In keeping with our charge, we have identified many issues that need to be addressed immediately. This year our school was impacted by a mold issue. This issue disrupted classes starting on time, displaced many teachers and classrooms and most importantly created a potential health hazard. The roof is at the top of the list for a full replacement. The windows which contribute to the moisture issue mentioned above also need replacing.

Additionally, the main electrical panel and switchgear needs to be upgraded. In order to aid in tackling the moisture issue and other demands placed on our electrical system as well as bring it into code compliance this infrastructure needs to be updated. The library is outdated and needs air handling improvements as well as being overhauled as it has aged and no longer meets the needs of the children. The main stairwell needs its flooring replaced; it is worn and slippery. 

One may wonder how the work of the Facilities Committee ties into the quality of education? There is a direct correlation between learning, teaching and one’s physical surroundings. If one thinks of their own abilities to work, learn or be productive one’s immediate surroundings have a direct influence on the outcome. If one is too hot, too cold, breathing low quality air, experiencing sound issues (think a screeching fan belt) the negative impact is felt. Our children and staff deserve a facility that is safe, clean, properly heated and cooled, contains clean air etc. to achieve the highest level of educational quality. The Facilities Committee is committed to ensuring these needs are met and why it was recommended to the Board to put forward this Bond request.

The Milton Town School District Board Of Trustees is seeking the approval of an $8million Bond to address immediate facility needs with Herrick Avenue. The identified projects address aging infrastructure and code compliance issues as well as health and safety concerns. They also align learning spaces with current educational needs.  The first bond payment is included in the FY26 budget which is estimated to have a 5.66% tax rate decrease.

MMS Students Presents School Safety at Community Connections

Milton Middle School student representatives, MMS Co-principals, and the MTSD School Resource Officer hosted community members during the most recent Community Connection for a presentation around school safety.  Co-Principal Smith, Co-Principal Brown, and Corporal Porter were joined by students from 7th & 8th grade students to share how the state laws and MTSD procedures are implemented within MMS.  Discussion included the ALiCE safety response program and the ways school safety is supported by MMS as well as how families can serve as partners in supporting safety at home.

ALiCE is an active shooter response program that consists of Awareness and Communication and Response Options strategies. The acronym stands for Alert, Lockdown, Information, Counter, and Evacuate.  The student presenters shared what each part of the response meant and then there was an opportunity for dialogue and questions. After the presentation, eighth grader Simon shared the following about presenting, “I thought it was great!  It was good to learn more about how ALiCE works.”  Anthony, a 7th-grade student added, ”I was nervous to present but I liked that I was able to ask questions and have them answered openly and honestly.”

The Co-Principals and Corporal Porter reviewed how state laws and regulations, along with MTSD procedures are carried out at MMS.  They spoke about the importance of having proactive measures are in place to prevent the likelihood of a critical incident from occurring.  Some examples include ensuring students are connected to staff and peers, tiered social-emotional supports, and facility access control systems.  An important part of our prevention is our ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement, which includes planning, practice, & training.  Our district is very lucky to have such a strong partnership with our local police force.  “I have worked in other districts that do not have a relationship between the school and local law enforcement.  We are fortunate to know that if we have any concerns, the Milton Police are always ready and willing to support, in whatever capacity needed,” said Principal Brown.

Information was also shared about how families can support our emergency response.  First and foremost, families were reminded to talk to their students about school safety and the importance of taking all situations seriously, regardless of it being a drill or a real emergency.  It is also essential that students and families report any information that they receive to the Milton Police Department and building principals in a timely manner.

The evening session closed with an opportunity for those who joined to ask questions about school safety.  Corporal Porter shared the following insight, “The School Safety collaboration between the Milton Town School District, and in this instance, the Milton Middle School and the Police Department is vital to ensure our students are safe when they are at school. I was proud that several of our MMS students participated in this safety presentation and asked questions. It is evident to me the at students are vested in school safety and take the ALiCE training seriously.”

MMS Community Connections are held throughout the school year and are centered on topics of interest to families and strengthen our home and school partnerships.  The last Community Connection of the year will be on April 16th, 2025.  The evening is an MMS Information Night for 4th graders and their families.

Milton Innovation Center Grand Opening Marks a New Era in Learning

On Thursday, January 9, the Milton Town School District proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Milton Innovation Center. This state-of-the-art facility is more than just a renovated space; it’s a hub for creativity, technology, and hands-on learning that will prepare students for college, careers, and beyond.

The Milton Innovation Center offers students a wide array of skill development, including 2D and 3D modeling, 3D printing, vector graphics, laser cutting and engraving, CNC machining, embroidery, photography, circuits and electronics, welding, basic woodworking, screen printing, and entrepreneurship. The capstone course will allow students to develop their own business ideas in a Shark Tank-style program, equipping them with skills that blend innovation and business acumen.

MTSD Superintendent Rex captured the essence of this transformative project during her remarks, stating, “The Milton Innovation Center is not just a renovation of an old, worn space. It is the fusion of the hearts and minds of the Milton community; a vision realized through years of dreaming, designing, planning, and perseverance.” She emphasized that the Innovation Center will inspire students to become collaborators, communicators, and creators, while also developing the technical and problem-solving skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

The journey to the Innovation Center’s opening was a collaborative effort involving numerous individuals and organizations. The Milton Economic Development Commission planted the initial seed in 2019, identifying a need to develop the local workforce and expand economic opportunities. This vision resonated with the district, sparking conversations about how to equip students with skills for the future.

A diverse group of “Dreamers,” including students, teachers, community members, and organizations such as Up for Learning, worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life. Their collaborative efforts led to the development of the Innovation Center’s curriculum, the selection of cutting-edge equipment, and the exploration of grant funding.

Architectural firm Truexcullins played a pivotal role in designing the space, incorporating feedback from students and educators to create a layout that inspires learning. Their iterative process ensured the Innovation Center was not only functional but also visually appealing, fostering a creative atmosphere.

Behind the scenes, district facilitators, including Matt Grasso, Bruce Cheeseman, Anne Blake, and MaryJane Stinson, managed the logistics of the project, navigating challenges. The construction, led by Stewart Construction, brought the vision to life with professionalism and craftsmanship that exceeded expectations.

The grand opening of the Milton Innovation Center represents the collective effort of a community committed to its students’ success. As the ribbon was cut, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for Milton High School, one where students can dream, design, and innovate in ways that will shape their futures and the future of the Milton community.