Next Up: Addressing the Infrastructure Needs of Mitchell, High Rock, and Pollard

Planning for the building infrastructure and programmatic needs of the Needham Public Schools (NPS) remains a top strategic priority for the Needham School Committee.

With the guidance and support of the town's Permanent Public Building Committee (PPBC), the NPS has engaged a designer, Dore and Whittier Architects, to study which major school building projects should be addressed in the next several years. 

The School Committee is trying to address several important goals with the planning process, including:

• Address physical infrastructure and significant programmatic needs at Mitchell, the district's oldest school (70 + years)

• Address physical infrastructure and significant programmatic needs at Pollard, including end of life modular classrooms

• Address overcrowding and the lack of adequate program space at the middle level, including Pollard and High Rock

• Mitigate the impact of construction on one or more generations of students

• Avoid expensive building maintenance over time (which will be complicated by the MA building code threshold limitations) 

• Avoid wasting significant funds on temporary modulars (for a Mitchell project)

• Accomplish needed building renovations within a reasonable period of time.

• Provide elementary capacity, including preparing Needham for the possible introduction of Universal PreK  

During the course of the study, the replacement of the Mitchell Elementary School and the possible renovation and expansion of Pollard as a 6-8 campus have been discussed.  You may view a recent School Committee and Permanent Public Building Committee presentation about the planning process here: School Facilities Master Planning Process

Renovating and/or replacing Mitchell and Pollard will be expensive and take time but both projects are necessary to meet the needs of students and staff. Additionally, the possible relocation of the 6th grade onto one 6-8 Pollard campus on Harris Avenue requires serious consideration, especially if this offers efficiencies in terms of staffing, programming, and space and allows the current High Rock School to become the district's sixth elementary school to meet anticipated elementary enrollment and program needs.

To learn more about the school master planning process and to share questions and comments, the NPS will host a virtual Family and Community Meeting on Tuesday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m. Look for the link to be posted on the district's website or in an email. Please join us to learn more about these important school projects.

Budget Proposal for the 2022-23 (FY23) School Year

In December I shared the 2022-23 school year (FY23) budget proposal with the Needham School Committee.  

The request provides the resources required to address existing staff contractual obligations, classroom and special education needs, and the District's Portrait of a Needham Graduate Five-Year Strategic Plan.

The proposed plan totals $87,200,560 and represents a $3.6 million, or 4.3% spending increase over the current budget year. I believe this request has been thoughtfully considered and will allow us to continue to support the academic programs, learning interventions, and mental health and social & emotional needs of our students.  The requested resources are particularly important as we continue to support all students during the ongoing pandemic.

The Needham School Committee encourages community members to attend the FY23 School Budget Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at the Broadmeadow School at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting is also broadcast on local cable and a Zoom link will be provided prior to the meeting for those not attending in person.