Westwood committee sets outreach plan ahead of December decision on MSBA statement of interest

District staff reviewed the master facilities study and outlined a public communication and outreach plan as the committee prepares to name a priority school for a Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) statement of interest. The facilities study identified six broad options ranging from status-quo repairs to new construction or redistricting, with Thurston and Sheehan highlighted as the two buildings of greatest concern. Staff said the immediate decision required is which school will be the district's priority for an MSBA statement of interest; that choice must be made by the December school committee meeting to allow a January'March 2026 drafting and approval process and a February 2026 MSBA submission window. Staff proposed three public forums (two in person, one virtual), school PTO briefings and use of a neutral public location (the town library meeting room) for daytime and evening sessions in mid-October through mid-November, plus an ongoing website FAQ and timeline page. Committee members asked that the public timeline be more detailed, that MSBA pros and cons be explained, that town finance and select board engagement be integrated, and that meeting formats be clarified (whether quorum rules apply). Staff cautioned that a feasibility study 'if MSBA accepts the SOI into its pipeline'would be the later phase at which the district would decide specific configurations (size, grade span, location). If accepted, feasibility would occur in 2028 and 2029 with construction start targeted around 2030 and an example occupancy estimate in 2032; staff emphasized this is a multi-year process and that town votes and design procurement are separate later steps. No binding decision was made at this meeting; the committee scheduled outreach as input for the December decision point.