Editorial: Charles Armstrong deserves expansion

Not every child can receive the support they need in traditional schools, and having a specialized school is an asset to the community.

Since 1968, Charles Armstrong School, named after the physician whose foundation funded it, has been fine-tuning educational practices for those with dyslexia. It purchased the former McDougal Elementary School in Belmont in 1987 and has found a home there since.

In 2005, it sought an expansion of its campus — specifically with a larger multipurpose room and a new gym. It was rejected by the City Council, which was known at the time to focus more on the needs of its older and established residents and concerns about potential traffic than it was on ensuring this school had space to fully teach its students.

Times have changed, however, and awareness of dyslexia is advancing. Senate Bill 114, signed by the governor in 2023, requires annual screening for all K-2 students to assess reading difficulties, including dyslexia, starting this school year to make sure students can get the help they need. On the surface, that means more students will get assistance from their public schools, but it will likely mean that schools such as Charles Armstrong will have further interest. It is also important to note that Charles Armstrong also provides training for teachers throughout the Bay Area.

Recently, school officials have asked the city of Belmont to expand. The current plans are different than the last plans, the school is asking for the ability to teach 30 more students. That’s a modest request, considering how many schools and students there are in other schools nearby. In its plans, the school seeks a nearly 12,000-square-foot academic wing — comprising, in part, nine classrooms, a science lab and conference room — while the next phase would consist of an 11,000-square-foot gym and a kitchen. While the gym remains from the previous plans, the focus is now clearly on the academics and the ability to have more students.

At a recent Planning Commission meeting, neighbors have supplied old sentiments to the plans, dredging up similar complaints about noise and traffic. This is reminiscent of other opposition to previous expansions or new uses by private schools of all levels years ago, which have proven to be true assets to the city and the community at large. Ultimately, the city came to its senses and allowed for new uses and expansions for many reasons, but mainly under essential premise of fairness and understanding that educational facilities are a benefit to the community — especially if they are renowned and exemplary. Charles Armstrong fits that description.

The Belmont City Council has been through substantial change since the initial proposal was rejected in 2005. In fact, it is a decidedly different council with a more forward-thinking and practical mindset. It will likely approve these small changes to the school’s facilities so it can teach 290 students rather than 260. But it would be nice if the old arguments and the old ways would retire, and completely make way for an open understanding of the value of embracing our unique and innovative educational assets.