We have debated whether the proposal for a new Lexington High School is big enough, whether it will provide a healthy learning environment (cleaner, fresher, properly conditioned air), be environmentally responsible (solar/ground-source heat pumps, very well insulated), and be built with durable materials and the latest technology. Because of the hard work of many town employees and community volunteers, I am confident that the Bloom proposal is all of that, objections to the proposed placement of the new building notwithstanding.

Spending money is anxiety-producing, especially when someone or some other entity (a company, a town, state or local government) is doing it for you. But when the entity, in this case, the Town of Lexington, is spending it wisely, it’s hard to argue—especially when the town is building something much needed by the community. The design also wastes little, while adding to the quality of student life and adding value to every home by maintaining or increasing the attractiveness of the town to future homeowners.

The Bloom design is also, by its nature, fairly compact—not the sprawling, disconnected, hard to maintain current set of buildings that comprise our high school today. No doubt there will be disruptions to current open space in the short term, but we will end up with more open space than we have today—to the benefit of students who no longer have to traipse through snow and slush between classes in wintertime and who can, along with the rest of us, enjoy the increased open space the rest of the year.

I should add that my wife and I have four daughters who went through the Lexington schools, now all grown with children and well-employed.

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4 Comments

  1. Funny you mention that… Ask your older kids what they remember and loved about LHS. Mine always talk about the open campus—the freedom to step outside, grab some fresh air between classes. And of course, a few memorable teachers. Not once have I heard them reminisce about walls or building age.

    At one of the early community forums, about 30 LHS students—official representatives of the student body—actually came on stage and begged the committee to preserve the open, California-style campus. That moment was an “oops” for the SBC, since it didn’t align with BLOOM’s vision. After that, student voices quietly disappeared from the conversation.

    2. Jeri:

      The 3 not “very cool aspect[s] of the Bloom design” leading me to oppose Bloom are:

      (1) Bloom, designed for 2,395 students, is too small since our population is likely to increase by 30% in 10 years due to some 4,000 new MBTA dwellings.

      (2) the SBC never studied a cheaper and larger true 2-phase design.

      (3) Bloom, at $660 million, is too expensive.

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