ICYMI: Minuteman School Committee Approves District-Wide Vote

LEXINGTON, MA—The future of the new Minuteman High School will go to a district-wide vote, as the Minuteman School Committee voted to approve a district-wide vote date July 12.

On Sept 20, all 16 member towns will vote on the future of the $144.9 million project after the Minuteman School Committee voted 12-1 in favor of a district-wide referendum with one abstention, according to a School Committee announcement. After Belmont voted 'no' on the project on May 4, the project was forced to go to a district-wide referendum.

Lexington approved the project during Town Meeting on April 25 by a count of 152-0-2.

“We tried the traditional Town Meeting route and won by overwhelming margins just about everywhere,” said Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon, Superintendent-Director in a statement. “But we were unable to make the case properly in one town and, given the rules of this process, that was enough to require going directly to citizens through a formal referendum.

Although Boxborough, Lincoln, Carlisle, Wayland, Weston and Sudbury voted to leave the district; those districts will not officially depart until 2017 and will still participate in the voting.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority has pledged $44 million to the project pending the approval of all member towns. Minuteman has until Nov. 30 to secure local approval.

The Election will take place Sept. 20 from 12 to 8 p.m. and will be funded by the Minuteman School Committee.