Minuteman Granted Extension to Gain Local Support

LEXINGTON, MA—A request for an extension to gain support for the proposed new Minuteman High School was granted the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on May 25, the school district announced Friday. 

According to a Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District announcement, the district will be given an extension until Nov. 30 to gain local support. The school district originally had until June 16 to win local support. 

”I am pleased the MSBA is still willing to partner with the district,” said Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon, Superintendent-Director at Minuteman High School in a statement. “I’m grateful to the MSBA. Everyone there – the leadership, the staff, the board members – all believe strongly in this project. This decision endorses our efforts to complete the process we began 7 years ago, leading to the construction of a new high school.”

Minuteman has two options to gain local support. The committee can vote again to bond the project and give member communities another 60 days in which to object, or call a disctrict-wide vote on the project. 

Lexington adopted the project at Town Meeting on April 25. 

The MSBA is contributing roughly $44 million to the project, and the remaining member and non-member towns will contribute the remaining $100 million approximately. 

Bouquillon stated in a memo to Arlington and Needham's Selectmen on May 6 that he does not believe that a district-wide referendum is the way to go. 

"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.""