Minuteman Superintendent Urges Arlington to Support New School

ARLINGTON, MA—After Belmont voted against approving funds for a new Minuteman High School Wednesday, officials are seemingly in a scramble to get the Minuteman building project completed.

Minuteman Superintendent Edward A. Bouquillon sent a memo to both the Arlington and Needham Boards of Selectmen Thursday urging both towns to stay the course and to support the construction of the new Minuteman High School. Arlington and Needham are the only non-departing member towns who have yet to vote on the funds for the new school.

"Here is my simple advice to both Arlington and Needham: Stay the course," Bouquillon wrote in his memo."Please take up the Article at Town Meeting on May 9 and join the seven other non-departing member towns in supporting construction of the new school."

Boxborough, Carlisle and Weston are expected to "pass over" the matter, due to the town's voting to leave the district as of July 1, 2017. Bouquillon also added he does not intend to recommend to the School Committee that it should proceed with a district-wide referendum.

"While only the School Committee has the legal authority to determine whether to invoke that provision of the law, I will not recommend a district-wide ballot," wrote Bouquillon."As Superintendent, I am now convinced that it is not the best way to get us to "Yes.""

Both Arlington and Needham are currently scheduled to take up the matter on May 9. Belmont's decision Wednesday resulted in a loss of $44 million in state funding. The total project is worth $144.9 million.