High School Headmaster: 'We're Ready to Work with Charlestown'

Dr. Margaret Ranny Bledsoe appeared before the Charlestown Neighborhood Council on Tuesday night, urging the council and community members to reconnect the neighborhood to Charlestown High School.

"I think Charlestown High School is ready to re-incorporate into the community. I believe we have to do it. The high school has existed since 1845. It took a hit ... during the civil rights movement with busing… But we don't quit in the United States. We don't quit in Charlestown. It's time to put it back together," Bledsoe said.

"We're ready to work with Charlestown. My sense is Charlestown is ready to work with us," she said.

Bledsoe proposed a few ways the community and school officials could begin to work together more:

• Form a planning committee comprised of residents, school staff and Boston Public Schools officials to make recommendations for school improvements;
• Do more outreach to the community to spread the news of school improvement and encourage Charlestown families to send their children to the school;
• Expand the sports program -- strengthen existing teams and establish new teams, including hockey;
• Expand Advanced Placement courses;
• Develop vocational and school-to-career opportunities to offer programs of interest;
• Connect to businesses (MGH) in the Charlestown community to solicit more support for the school;
• Work more closely with Charlestown organizations to incorporate the high school into the life of the community.

According to data Bledsoe distributed during the meeting, there are 85 Charlestown students currently attending the high school. Bledsoe said she'd like to get that number closer to 200.

Superintendent Carol Johnson has expressed interest in helping bridge the community and the school, Bledsoe said, but she is seeking a concrete proposal of what the needs are.

Tom Cunha, president of the Neighborhood Council, invited council members to serve as liaisons to the high school, checking in monthly with high school officials.

"I completely understand why the history is as painful as it is," Bledsoe said. "It's clear that for Charlestown to be a great school and to bloom, it has to be connected to its community."