Columbia School District is asking its community whether to investigate regionalizing or restructuring education for grades 7–12 or 9–12 with another district. Responses are due Thursday, October 29, according to an October 16 town notice.
The district says the survey is intended to identify priorities and concerns before the Board of Education decides whether further study is appropriate. It is not a referendum, and no decision to pursue a change has been made.
The questionnaire asks respondents to weigh academic opportunities, student support, travel times, taxes, facilities and local influence over school decisions. It also asks what comparisons residents would want before forming an opinion, including tuition, long-term finances, enrollment and board representation.
Questions explore possible changes to high-school choice and arrangements for seventh and eighth grades. These are subjects for feedback, not approved changes. The notice does not identify a partner district or establish projected savings.
People can use the linked online form. It requests an email address, name and address, so readers should not assume responses are anonymous. Eastern CT News did not submit a response.
Paper copies are available at Columbia Town Hall, Saxton B. Little Library and Beckish Senior Center. The form directs completed paper surveys to the Superintendent’s Office, 3 Schoolhouse Road, by mail or the grey drop box near the school’s main entrance.
Any formal regionalization proposal would require further analysis, public discussion and applicable state and local approvals, the district says.