Letters: Schools require investment

Weston’s secondary school buildings have served our community well, but many of the major systems are near the end of their useful life. The question is not whether significant money will need to be spent on these buildings. It will. Aging mechanical systems, building infrastructure, accessibility needs, code requirements, and inefficient facilities cannot be wished away.

The real question is how best to spend those dollars.

A recent study found the cost of “doing nothing” but operating would cost residents $171,558,917 for system replacements and code compliance. If Weston must consider spending this simply to repair, maintain, and bring aging buildings up to code, with limited improvement to the learning environment, we should ask whether that is the best value for taxpayers. A major investment should do more than keep old systems running. It should create safe, healthy, efficient, flexible, and inspiring schools that support modern teaching and learning.

Weston was invited into the Massachusetts State Building Authority program giving Weston an opportunity to receive some reimbursement for related costs. That reimbursement matters. It will help the Town maximize the value of every local dollar while making a generational investment in public education. But first, the Town will need to approve feasibility study funding at Special Town Meeting this fall.

This project is not about extravagance. It is about stewardship. If we are going to spend substantial public funds, we should invest them wisely, in facilities that meet today’s needs, serve future students, and make Weston proud. Funding the feasibility study is but one of many steps in the MSBA’s thoughtful school building program. Please follow along with us on Weston Public Schools’ “Secondary Building Project” subpage easily found using your favorite search provider.

This letter represents the author’s views only and is not authorized by any committee.

Ken Newberg, Merriam Street