WARWICK — The Selectboard has appointed a liaison between it and the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as the town continues conversations for the future establishment of an independent elementary school in Warwick.
In a recent meeting with DESE, Selectboard member Brian Snell said the department recommended the town appoint a representative as the “conduit for information” as conversations continue. Warwick Education Committee Chair Adam Holloway was suggested for the position.
“He’d be reporting to the Selectboard, so he’d be communicating as a conduit, not as a power, per se,” Snell clarified.
The Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee voted in January 2020 to close Warwick Community School as a cost-saving measure, a decision that DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley later approved. Since then, members of the Warwick Education Committee have been holding regular meetings to develop plans with the goal of reopening the Warwick Community School as an independent elementary school.
Selectboard Chair Lawrence “Doc” Pruyne approved of the liaison position, but stated he wants to make sure the Selectboard will maintain “its lead in dealing with outside agencies.” Holloway agreed, stating he would not want to represent himself as the decision-maker between the town and DESE.
Selectboard member Todd Dexter said he thinks Holloway is a good candidate for the liaison role, and echoed fellow members’ sentiments. He said he supports the position “as long as the pipeline is clear and open for the board.”
“This is the liaison. It’s the person that’s going to keep things in orderly fashion,” said Town Coordinator David Young. “It’s going to keep there from being confusion between us — the town — and DESE.”
After the board members’ brief discussion, Snell made the motion to appoint Holloway to the position and it was unanimously accepted.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.