Letter to the Editor: Why building a new high school is the right choice for Lexington

The decision to build a new Lexington High School rather than renovate the existing one represents a thoughtful, community-centered choice — one that prioritizes educational continuity, student well-being and long-term value for the town. Recent correspondence among community members and town officials highlights the key reasons the School Building Committee (SBC) moved toward new construction rather than attempting an in-place renovation.

Minimizing Disruption to Learning

Renovating a school while it remains occupied poses significant challenges. As Lexington’s Director of Public Facilities, Mike Cronin, explained, an extensive renovation would expose students and staff to ongoing noise, vibration, odors, and intermittent power or HVAC interruptions for years. These disruptions can affect concentration, comfort and safety — ultimately undermining the quality of teaching and learning.

By contrast, building a new facility on an adjacent property allows day-to-day instruction to continue uninterrupted. Construction activity will take place farther from classrooms, and the town is implementing multiple measures to limit impact — such as taller fences with sound-dampening fabric and scheduling the loudest work during the summer months. Once the new building is enclosed, the effect of construction on the current campus will decrease substantially. This approach ensures that students can learn in a stable, predictable environment throughout the project.

Maintaining the Current School Through Transition

A common concern among parents and students is whether the existing high school will receive less care once the new project is underway. Cronin’s assurance addresses this directly: the current facility will continue to receive the same level of maintenance, cleaning and attention it does today until the summer of 2029, when the move to the new building is expected.

This commitment means that students currently enrolled at Lexington High School — and those who will attend in the next few years — will continue to have a safe, well-maintained environment. The town’s pledge reflects both fiscal responsibility and respect for the students who will complete their education in the existing building.

A Modern Facility for Future Generations

While renovation might appear to be the more economical path at first glance, it often limits how much a building can truly evolve. Constructing a new high school gives Lexington the opportunity to design a facility that reflects 21st-century learning needs — from collaborative, technology-rich classrooms to energy-efficient systems and flexible spaces that can adapt to future teaching methods.

A purpose-built school also eliminates the inefficiencies that result from decades of piecemeal renovations. Instead of layering modern infrastructure onto an outdated framework, the town can invest in a cohesive design that supports both innovation and sustainability for decades to come.

Putting Students First

Perhaps most importantly, the choice to build new demonstrates a student-first philosophy. The SBC’s decision acknowledges that the educational experience of current students matters just as much as that of future ones. By constructing on adjacent land, the town avoids forcing today’s students to learn amidst construction, while ensuring that tomorrow’s students inherit a modern, thoughtfully-designed campus.

Conclusion

Lexington’s decision to build a new high school is rooted in foresight and compassion. It balances the needs of current students with the vision of a stronger, more adaptable future. Rather than settling for short-term fixes, the community has chosen a long-term investment in learning, safety and sustainability.

In short, this project is more than a construction plan — it is a commitment to excellence in education and to the well-being of every student who calls Lexington home.