The School Building Committee has approved a plan, “Bloom” for the new high school and building on the current playing fields in the Center. Do you support this decision? If not, what would you propose as an alternative?

Lexington faces a critical choice: invest in a new high school designed for future generations or continue pouring resources into a 75-year-old building that is overcrowded, outdated, and increasingly costly to maintain. The “Bloom” plan offers a practical solution, ensuring a modern, secure, and sustainable learning environment.

The current high school is in poor condition, with deteriorating infrastructure and an HVAC system at risk of failure—costing an estimated $250-300 million to update. Renovating the existing structure would trigger costly code upgrades, yet still fail to address fundamental issues like inadequate science labs, small classrooms, and a lack of ADA compliance. Additionally, the open campus design poses serious security risks, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to secure in an emergency.

Some have proposed a staged approach, but after thorough debate, town meeting rejected this option (STM-2024-8) as more expensive, requiring multiple rounds of public financing and additional years to complete, and failing to address many of the current building’s shortcomings. The "Bloom" plan, though not perfect, is the product of extensive public hearings and careful town committee review. It offers a cost-effective, modern, and secure high school that meets today’s educational and safety standards.

The Bloom plan is expensive, but it is less expensive and less disruptive than the staged approach, which pours additional money into our outdated, inadequate building. The "Bloom" plan is a necessary investment in Lexington’s future, and I strongly support it.