January 15, 2026
.com
Chester, Deep River, & Essex Vol. XXVI Iss. 3
Taskforce Talks About School Consolidation By Christian Maldonado Staff Writer
Representatives from Chester, Deep River, and Essex gathered at John Winthrop Middle School on Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the inaugural meeting of the School Consolidation and Grade Configuration Taskforce.
As of right now, the three towns have their own elementary schools, holding kindergarten through to sixth grade. After sixth grade, students move to John Winthrop Middle School, where students from all three towns go for seventh and eighth grade, until they are ready for high school at Valley Regional High School. In the original public
hearing, 14 different options were presented, nearly all of which suggested some change of grade levels in different schools or which buildings should be used or closed going forward. During the meeting, the task force made See Taskforce page 9
Ducking the Dock Beth Kolakowski of Essex stands on the dock near the boat ramp at the foot of Main Street as she looks out at the Connecticut River at dawn on Jan. 12. The boat ramp is a morning destination for walkers and visitors brave enough to venture out on a cold mid-January day.
Photo by Laura Matesky/ Valley Courier
Alice Johnson has been part of Deep River history for a century.....2
Father-son coaching duo hopes to bring Valley Regional girls basketball back on track...............................11
Captain Morgan says kayaks allow anglers to get into previously inaccessible waterways...............12
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