200 residents, officials gather for event
By:David Koch
MANSFIELD When Teresa Rockwell first joined the Mansfield Board of Education in 1997, one of the first things discussed at her first meeting was the board’s proposal for a new school.
"I don’t think I’ve been at a meeting since then that hasn’t included these discussions (on the new school)," said Ms. Rockwell, now the school board president.
Almost five years after she first took office, Ms. Rockwell, along with 200 residents and officials, gathered at Northern Burlington Regional’s auxiliary parking lot on Mansfield Road East to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Mansfield Township Elementary School.
The elementary school orchestra played "The Star-Spangled Banner" as a throng of people gathered under a cloudy sky Sunday.
"I think if we wrote a book we could title it ‘Frustration, Frustration, Frustration,’ " said Mansfield Mayor Ron Carty at Sunday’s event. "Yet, I think there’s a lesson to be learned here. If you think positive, look forward and remain patient, you will prevail."
Mr. Bruni said plans for the new school have been in the works for five years. Township residents approved two referendums in March 2000 and April 2001 to bond $11.7 million for the new school.
"The journey over the past two years has been a long one with many twists and turns," said Mansfield Superintendent Joseph Bruni.
Residents and officials saw the fruits of all their labor on Sunday when Mr. Bruni, Ms. Rockwell and Mr. Carty struck the ground with a silver-plated shovel.
"The present and future students of our town will enjoy a quality education in a state-of-the-art building,’ said Mr. Bruni during the ceremony.
Mr. Bruni and school officials thanked the residents and members of the Township Committee for their help.
The new elementary school will be located on Mansfield Road East behind Northern Burlington’s auxiliary parking lot. The site’s 30 acres, once part of the Millington Tree Farm, were donated by Mansfield Township in 2000.
The new school will be directly in front of Northern Burlington’s new middle school on Island Road.
The new elementary school will be able to house 800 students from grades three to six and is scheduled to be completed by September of 2003.
John Hydock Elementary School will still house students from kindergarten to second grade.
John Hydock was built for 300 students. Mr. Bruni said the district is expected to have an enrollment of 667 students by September of this year.
Mara Bush and Lauren Hinkel, who are fourth-grade students at John Hydock, will be the first graduating class of the new elementary school.
"I think going to a new school that is bigger with less students will be a good experience," said Mara during the ceremony.
"We need it. We desperately need it," said Sue Giancola, a Mansfield resident whose son, Brian, is a fifth-grader at John Hydock.