As Lexington residents whose children graduated from LHS and who remain deeply invested in our community’s future, we write to urge our neighbors to support the proposed high school building project. The $662 million project cost, with about $100 million in MSBA reimbursement, represents a significant but essential investment. As Benjamin Franklin noted, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
The Cost of Waiting vs. Acting Now
The true hidden cost isn’t just financial—it’s the erosion of our community’s foundation. Our 72-year-old high school, built for 1,850 students but now serving over 2,300, represents our growth and infrastructure’s limits. Construction costs won’t decrease—they’re projected to rise 5 to 7% annually through 2025, with tariffs adding millions to materials costs. Every year we delay, we lose talented educators to districts with modern facilities and watch our competitive edge slip.
Why Half-Measures Won’t Work
While some suggest cheaper fixes, 100% of our science and 30% of general education classrooms fail to meet current MSBA standards—problems that cosmetic renovations can’t solve. A 1950s building designed for a different era cannot be retrofitted to support modern learning like collaborative STEAM programs or today’s technology infrastructure.
A Smart Investment, Not Just an Expense
Like any major home renovation, this feels daunting—but consider what we’re getting. For some, this translates to roughly $140 to 200 monthly, less than most phone payments. The town has been preparing, setting aside $32 million to soften the impact, while the state contributes $100 million. We’re not just writing a check—we’re leveraging every resource to maximize value while borrowing costs remain historically manageable.
Learning from Success Stories
Waltham’s new $400 million high school is a transformational facility that combines rigorous academics with career technical education. Despite the significant investment, Waltham’s housing market remains competitive and robust. Winchester renovated its 1970s high school into a flexible, energy-efficient building that supports diverse learning styles and now ranks No. 2 in Massachusetts with a 98.9% graduation rate—and property values continue appreciating 9.5% year over year. These communities demonstrate that investing in educational facilities strengthens property values and builds community pride.
Be Courageous About Our Future
Our School Committee and administration have guided Lexington Public Schools to national recognition. We must be courageous and do our part for Lexington’s future. Our children deserve learning environments that nurture their revolutionary spirit and tell them they are enough to change the world.
All the envisioned green features proposed for Bloom could be included in the renewal of the school on the present campus. It only requires the interest and thought to do so. SMMA opened that door with their C6 plan in April 2024. They praised its ability to address overcrowding in 1/2 the time as Bloom. And protect the center playground and avoid chapter 97 challenges. It was never given fair consideration. Well, what could we expect when it was posted on the website of frequently asked questions in September of 2022, a full year before a design team was hired that “the general idea is for the students to remain in the old (current) LHS while the new building is being constructed.”
The idea of destroying the value of the connectivity of Lexington’s Center recreation complex could only come from one who never benefited by watching their children in different sports. Parents who have had children play little league and soccer while watching younger siblings play on the playground understand.
Lexington should never break the contract made in 1915 between Augustus Scott and the Town when Augustus, a true unsung hero of our Town, gifted 30 acres for the perpetual use as parks and playgrounds to all of Lexington’s citizens.