Neary Plan B

There IS a Plan B solution to the Neary Building Committee (NBC) option of a $109 million new school for Southborough!

The proposal for building a new Neary school is one of the most important financial decisions Southborough has ever had to make. The NBC proposes demolishing the current two grade school to build a new four-grade school for second through fourth grades. There are more fiscally responsible alternatives that won’t burden tax payers or risk pricing out residents, especially seniors.

The Neary Building Committee (NBC) proposed new school plan is the only option currently before the Massachusetts School Building Authority — and it’s the only one being presented at the Special Town Meeting on May 10. (The current estimate is $109 million with an anticipated 32.5% state reimbursement.) The NBC has no backup plan, insisting the only choices are either building a new school or do nothing and restart the process.

In addition, ongoing concerns have been noted about the proximity of the proposed new school site to an old capped unlined landfill on Parkerville Rd. and the risks of disturbing this potentially contaminated area.

But there are viable alternatives. The decision to build a $109 million school at this time is not fiscally responsible, nor is it necessary. According to information and documents used by the NBC, Southborough currently has enough school space to accommodate all students without utilizing an outdated Neary or spending millions on a new school.

We propose Plan B that requires little, if any, renovation, no new construction, and sufficient space for all students, teachers, and staff. Let’s think creatively and make use of what we already have!

P. Brent Trottier Middle School, the largest school in Southborough is 130,000 square feet and is underutilized with just three grades. Even in the proposed new school configuration, Trottier would remain a three-grade school. The proposed four grade Neary replacement is 99,564 square feet – 30% smaller than the three grade Trottier. Why build a new, smaller four-grade school when Trottier could easily accommodate the same needs without the enormous price tag?

Here’s how Plan B could work seamlessly:

• Finn: Without Northborough’s PreK (which is returning to Northborough), Southborough’s PreK program is projected to serve 60 students. With fewer classrooms needed for Northborough, Finn could be repurposed for PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades.
• Woodward: As the smallest school, Woodward could comfortably serve 3rd and 4th grades.
• Trottier: As the largest school, Trottier could easily accommodate four grades – the upper school (grades 7 and 8) on the second level and the lower school (grades 5 and 6) on the first level, or a similar scenario. With potential minimal adjustments, these schools can meet the needs of all students. Southborough has ample classroom space to accommodate projected enrollments; without using Neary and without building a new $109 million school. If we move forward with the proposed new building, the town ends up with 99,564 square feet of extra school space — which will need to be heated, cooled, and maintained. Southborough deserves a solution that is fiscally responsible while ensuring our children have the schools and resources needed to support our recognized high level of quality education. After all, it is not the buildings but the faculty, staff, community resources and support that make our education system exemplary. Let’s choose a path that maximizes our existing assets and provides a sustainable, affordable future for our town.

With potential minimal adjustments, these schools can meet the needs of all students. Southborough has ample classroom space to accommodate projected enrollments; without using Neary and without building a new $109 million school. If we move forward with the proposed new building, the town ends up with 99,564 square feet of extra school space — which will need to be heated, cooled, and maintained. Southborough deserves a solution that is fiscally responsible while ensuring our children have the schools and resources needed to support our recognized high level of quality education. After all, it is not the buildings but the faculty, staff, community resources and support that make our education system exemplary. Let’s choose a path that maximizes our existing assets and provides a sustainable, affordable future for our town.