Chatham-Harwich planning board studies school regionalization for the towns

Website created to inform students, parents, school staff and town resident

The Lower Cape towns of Chatham and Harwich have been studying whether regionalization of their two school systems is feasible. The concept of regionalization has been bandied around for some time, but came into serious consideration in 2008 when the Commonwealth identified the Harwich school system as a strong candidate for consideration.

Superintendents Dr. Carolyn Cragin and Dr. Mary Ann Lanzo agreed to move forward with the research and with the support of both towns and a $25,000 grant the research panel was created.  The study board of six, three representatives from each town, will research regionalization as a viable alternative to maintaining two separate school systems. 

A website, www.chathamharwich.org, has been created to serve as an information hub for town officials, residents, parents and students.

The board meets the first Monday of each month--the next scheduled meeting is Monday, January 4, 2010 from 5pm to 8pm in the Chatham Middle School Library.  The meetings are open to the public and the minutes of the meeting will be posted.  Periodic public forums will also be planned. 

The minutes from the October 5, 2009 meeting at the Harwich Elementary School Library are available here in PDF form.