By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Warwick, MA) – Starting next year, students at Warwick Community School will attend Northfield Elementary School. The decision comes after a 7-5 vote from the Pioneer Valley Regional School Committee to close the school. Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffery C. Riley notified the committee of the approval of the closure late Wednesday.
“This is a significant time of grieving for the Warwick community as a whole,” said Jeanne Milton, school committee member from Bernardston.
Members discussed the importance on providing a sense of closure for the Warwick community around the closure, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Johnathan Scagel told the committee he is working to brainstorm ideas to bring closure in the context of the state wide school closures.
Sharon Fontaine, committee member from Leyden , expressed optimism, despite the closure.
“This is a difficult time for Warwick. I know as well as they do that this is a heart felt time to them, but there is sun on the horizon,” said Fontaine.