School Committee Meeting - August 10, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chair Emily Ackman. A roll call was conducted to establish a quorum.

• Committee Members Present:
  • President Lance Davis
  • Member Leiran Biton
  • Member Elizabeth Eldridge
  • Member Andre Green
  • Dr. Emma Stellman
  • Mayor Jake Wilson
  • Chair Emily Ackman
  • Member Laura Pitone (joined during discussion)
• Staff and Consultants Present:
  • Dr. Rubén Carmona, Superintendent
  • Director Raish, City Staff
  • Principal Courtney Gosling
  • Lisa and Bob, Perkins Eastman (Design Team)
  • Sean, Cost Estimator

The Perkins Eastman team presented the Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) for the Winter Hill School project. The presentation covered the project schedule, educational program updates, and the evaluation of building options.

• Project Schedule: The feasibility study (Module 3) is nearing completion. Schematic design (Module 4) is slated to begin in September 2026, with a final submission to the MSBA in February 2027.
• Educational Program Refinements:
  • The MSBA provided feedback on teaching methods, specialized spaces, and scheduling.
  • Kindergarten: Class sizes were right-sized to a 22-student average, resulting in five classrooms instead of six.
  • Pre-K: A second Pre-K classroom was added to address district-wide waiting lists.
  • Culinary Arts: An exploratory culinary program was added as a middle school feeder for the high school CTE program.
• Space Summary Adjustments:
  • World Language was moved to 'Core Academics' per MSBA requirements.
  • Theater and Health rooms were moved to 'Other' categories, which the team noted may impact MSBA funding eligibility.

The design team evaluated 11 options, including base repairs, additions/renovations, and new construction at both 115 Sycamore Street and 201 Willow Street.

• Option 4 (Preferred): A new 925-student school at the Sycamore Street site. This option was selected by the School Building Committee for best meeting educational needs.
• Site Logistics: The preferred design features a vertical stacking of grades:
  • Pre-K through Grade 3
  • Grades 4 through 6
  • Grades 7 through 8
• Alternative Sites: The team studied 201 Willow Street (Benjamin Brown School), but noted that a 925-student enrollment there would require a 12-story high-rise, which was deemed cost-prohibitive and impractical.

Committee members raised concerns regarding site constraints and long-term infrastructure.

• Parking: Member Andre Green and Superintendent Carmona emphasized the need for educator parking. The team is studying a parking garage option (80-100 spaces), but noted it is a 'premium cost' due to the presence of ledge/rock 18-20 feet below grade.
• Environmental Concerns: The team acknowledged potential soil contamination and underground storage tanks. A demolition package will be issued early to identify and remediate environmental risks before primary construction begins.
• Acoustics: Member Leiran Biton raised concerns about noise from rooftop play areas. The design team committed to using 'acousticians' to ensure structural separation and sound mitigation between the rooftop fields and the cafeteria/gymnasium below.

The Committee voted on a series of grant entitlements and continuation grants for the district.

• Motion: Member Leiran Biton moved to accept all listed federal, state, and private grants. Seconded by Member Laura Pitone.
• Key Financial Allocations:
  • FY27 Coordinated Family Community Engagement (SFLC): $371,477
  • Federal Homeless Transportation: $139,562
  • Comprehensive School Health Grant: $85,500
  • Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE): $87,015
  • Mass Life Science OST (Robotics): $29,924
• Vote Outcome: The motion passed unanimously (8-0) via roll call vote.
  • In Favor: Davis, Pitone, Eldridge, Green, Stellman, Wilson, Biton, Ackman.