As we approach Monday’s debt exclusion vote, we want to share who we are and why we believe voting YES on December 8 is so important for our town.

Yes for Lexington (Yes4Lex) is a volunteer-led, resident-run campaign bringing Lexington voters together to support the new Lexington High School. We are your neighbors—parents, caregivers, educators, longtime residents, and newcomers alike. Many of us have served on PTOs, coached youth sports, volunteered in town government, and supported community organizations. Like so many in Lexington, we care deeply about our schools, our children, and the future of our town.

Our goal is simple: to share accurate information about the LHS project, why it is critical that we act now, and ensure strong voter participation. More than 1,000 residents and numerous community organizations have publicly endorsed this effort. Hundreds of neighbors have donated time and resources because they believe this is the right step for Lexington.

The LHS project is the result of an extensive, transparent process that has unfolded over several years and included hundreds of public meetings, professional studies, and community input. Multiple committees have reviewed and refined the plan. The data and analysis come from independent experts and state agencies with deep experience in school construction.

A YES vote will:

  • Secure $118–$121 million in reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority
  • Deliver a modern, energy-efficient, fully accessible and code-compliant school
  • Provide updated classrooms, science labs, arts and music spaces, and safer learning environments
  • Reduce long-term maintenance, energy, and emergency repair costs
  • Enable the new LHS to open in fall 2029—today’s 5th graders would be the first class to spend all four years in the new school

The current proposal is the most cost-effective, fastest, and least disruptive solution. At roughly $1,293 per square foot, it is in line with other recent Massachusetts high school projects of similar size and scope. Many alternatives were carefully studied—including phased renovations, additions, and in-place reconstruction. Every alternative proved more expensive, more disruptive, and less effective. For example, the often-referenced phased renovation option from the 2015 Master Plan would now exceed $800 million and take roughly six additional years to complete.

After extensive analysis, constructing the new school on existing athletic fields emerged as the best option. The benefits of this location clearly outweigh the concerns. This plan avoids huge increased expenses and years of disruption from modular classrooms, and ultimately provides better fields that enhance the Center Recreation complex. All displaced fields will be replaced and improved, with better access, parking, drainage, and storage. Because the footprint of the new building is smaller than the existing LHS, this plan also results in a net gain of nearly an acre of open space. Importantly, this approach is strongly supported by the Lexington Recreation and Community Programs Department, the Lexington Recreation Committee, and the LHS Athletic Department.

Most critically, the new high school is designed to be flexible and future-ready. It will be able to comfortably accommodate over 2,700 students, and can expand to 3,000 students by converting the planned Central Office into instructional space—a feature intentionally included to allow for future growth if needed. At 45% larger than the current facility, the new building will be well positioned to adapt to future demographic shifts, including additional students from MBTA-driven housing units. This is especially true given declining elementary enrollment trends in recent years.

Voting NO is not a neutral choice. Voting NO does not save us money. It means losing up to $121 million in state aid, restarting the long, complex planning process, and facing even higher costs due to inflation and escalating repair needs.

We encourage every resident to vote on Monday, December 8.

A YES vote doesn’t just build a school — it invests in Lexington’s future.

Sincerely, Yes4Lex

  • Taylor Singh, Chair
  • Sara Bothwell Allen, Treasurer
  • Becky Barrentine
  • Alix Fox
  • Melissa Lee
  • Anne Meade
  • Brielle Meade
  • Catherine Telliez

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