Press Releases
June 9, 2008
Dear Members of the Woodstock Academy Community:
The purpose of this letter is to provide information to the Woodstock Academy community and towns that send students to Woodstock Academy for their secondary education.
As a matter of background, we know that student participation in activities outside of the classroom such as athletics, drama, Student Council, among others, increases student connections to the Academy and enhances their academic performance. The number of students participating in athletics at the Academy equates to nearly 50% of the student population. Over the years, we have supplemented the Bentley Athletic Complex fields by utilizing additional fields from area schools and organizations. The use of these outside facilities will not be available to the Academy forever. This fact, coupled with the increase in athletic participation, made it prudent for the Academy to look to secure other playing fields.
In the fall of 2004, the Academy purchased acreage contiguous to the Bentley Complex. For over 2 years now the Academy has been in the planning stages for a possible use of the purchased land for athletic fields. First, a conceptual plan was developed based on information from surveyors and engineers. As these concepts evolved, I, as Headmaster, provided numerous opportunities for those living in the Academy neighborhood to understand the different options being explored. The Academy understands its responsibility in being a good neighbor and doing any type of development in a manner which is sensitive to the needs of the neighborhood. Indeed, the Academy understands the importance of its role in this historic area of the Town of Woodstock. The message that I internalized from the Academy neighborhood was: Mr. Foye, we are not against athletic fields, but please be sensitive to the special nature of the neighborhood. The Academy believes, and I personally believe, that we have put forward a plan for two fields that is sensitive to all the concerns that were brought forward.
The details of these plans have been available on the Academy website (www.woodstockacademy.org) for nearly two years. There is now a strong movement by some of our neighbors to stop any development of fields for use by our students. The plan is currently under review by the Inland Wetlands Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Woodstock. The Commissions will act on these plans, we believe, over the months of June and July. However, perhaps the most important meeting to be heard at is the June 19th meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission at the Woodstock Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. After that meeting, it is quite possible that the best opportunity for public comment may have passed.
There has been concern expressed publicly and privately about the cost of this project. It is important to know that this project would be done in phases, as we can afford it. The Academy understands the fiscal restraints that towns are facing. We believe that this project will benefit students and communities for generations. Thinking in this long-term manner is one of the great strengths of the town academy structure. This structure allows Trustees to think in terms of decades rather than year to year.
Before going forward with any plans, the Board of Trustees approved a feasibility study in order to ascertain the availability of funds through a fundraising effort. The potential was deemed significant enough to begin the process. The Academy also understands that there are other costs – there is a cost of not going forward with a phased-in project that will be more expensive in the future, but more importantly, the cost of denying our students an opportunity to participate in athletics because there are not enough playing fields. Therefore, my main goal has been to secure an approved plan through appropriate town agencies so that over time, we are able to increase our athletic facilities in a thoughtful, prudent manner. It is important to note that this is not the only financial concern that the Academy has. While athletics play a significant role in the overall student education, this project is not being brought forward in isolation as the only or most important issue. The Academy must balance all of the needs of our students. We have done this over the years and will continue to do this in a prudent and thoughtful manner.
As is well known, the Academy opens its facilities to public use and would do the same with the proposed improvements. The additional fields would serve as a resource for all of Northeastern Connecticut, providing added value to our communities by enhancing the education of thousands of students for generations to come.
I believe that this project is, first of all, good for students. It is also good for all of the communities in Northeastern Connecticut. Furthermore, I believe that the opportunity for communication with Academy neighbors on this subject has been extraordinary and that the Academy has fulfilled what I perceived as their expectations to put forward an enhancement of the Bentley Athletic Complex for the children that is sensitive to the neighborhood and the Town of Woodstock.
The June 19th meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission may be the last opportunity for public comment regarding the enhancement of the Bentley Athletic Complex. Information and details about the project are provided on our Academy website (www.woodstockacademy.org).
Sincerely,
Richard Foye, Headmaster
