For the first time in over 15 years Dunbar School has seen vast improvements; for the first time there’s been hope for the children on the East End attending the chronically failing school.

Sadly this might all be undone.

When the board discusses this issue tonight let’s hope they make time to talk about the real issues, like the simple, unassailable fact that, since last year, Dunbar has seen dramatic improvements.

According to most observers, school climate has noticeably improved. Attendance, while not perfect, is up, and the school’s reading scores on district testing have already improved dramatically.

According to Linda Lambeck at the Connecticut Post, “20 percent of first graders and 18 percent of second graders were on track in reading” since January. That number has doubled since May.

I’m not alone in this belief. Board Member and former Chair, Rev. Kenneth Moales believes attempts to undo the partnership are political.

“Fran [Superintendent Rabinowitz] said it herself, that they have the best school climate for a turnaround. For one thing the attendance has gone up,” Moales said during a phone interview on Friday. “We have tremendous parent involvement. Parents are engaged and excited, so, there are a lot of positive things that are happening in that school and it’s been documented.”

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