Stanley, Lawn, Barrett Support New High School Project

Dear Treasurer Goldberg and Members of the MSBA Board:

We write to lend our full support for the new Waltham High School (WHS) proposal. This project represents a momentous opportunity for Waltham to deliver the high quality, rigorous, 21st century education which will prepare our students for the continuously evolving world of work and future studies. Moreover, the proposed WHS enjoys overwhelming support from all corners of our city, earning endorsements from the School Building Committee (SBC), School Committee (SC), School Department (WPS), Mayor, and City Council.

With your support, WPS has moved successfully through the MSBA process, from initial Statement of Interest to the final question of funding. Waltham recently submitted a more detailed description of the project’s scope and budget at $374.6 million, making it one of the largest and most ambitious capital projects the city has ever embarked upon. Your blessing will allow Waltham to access $111.7 million in state funds for the project thereby reducing the burden of local taxpayers to finance the entire costs associated with building the new facility. Moreover, the current WHS has outlived its useful life; no longer meeting the educational standards of our students and risking the loss of NEASC accreditation unless significant progress is made on a new facility.

Since August, 2015, dozens of community meetings have been held on the design and construction of a new high school. After an exhaustive review process gathered tremendous community feedback, the SBC and SC both recommended relocating the WHS to the Stigmatine property (554 Lexington Street). This site will allow WPS to deliver on the WHS master plan.

Waltham is a diverse and growing community with approximately 500 newly enrolled students this fall alone. With the latest estimates putting the completion of the new WHS in September 2024, and as construction costs continue to soar, MSBA approval is desperately needed so that this project can stay on-time and on-budget. Waltham students deserve every educational opportunity to prepare them for the ever changing world they will enter after graduation. Thus, we respectfully request for the Board to approve funding for the new WHS.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. Please don’t hesitate to contact our offices with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Rep. Thomas M. Stanley (9th Middlesex)

Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (10th Middlesex)

Sen. Michael J. Barrett (Third Middlesex)