Concord school board rescinds relocation vote, moves to design new middle school at Runlet site

The Concord School District school board voted 6–3 on Wednesday evening to rescind its Dec. 26, 2023, decision to relocate Runlet Middle School to the Broken Ground site and instead begin designing a new middle school adjacent to the existing Runlet Middle School at 144 South Street. The motion, moved by School Board Member Miss Higgins and seconded by School Board Member Miss Boucher, directs the district to proceed with design work only; a separate construction vote would come later.

The vote follows a public hearing at Concord High School that lasted roughly two hours and drew more than 60 speakers. Many residents, parents and teachers who addressed the board urged officials to rebuild at the current Runlet site, citing walkability, existing neighborhood infrastructure and the desire to preserve open space. Other speakers continued to support the Broken Ground site, saying it would reduce construction disruption and be more cost-effective in some estimates.

Why it matters: The rescission ends a months‑long dispute that included a December 2023 board vote and a November 2024 charter amendment vote that residents and speakers repeatedly referenced. Board members who supported rescinding said the public comment and recent outreach showed clear preference for rebuilding at Runlet; those who opposed the motion cited cost and schedule concerns tied to rebuilding on the existing site.

Public comment themes and selected testimony

Teachers and school staff described ongoing building problems at Runlet and said the district should move as quickly as possible to a new facility. Jessica Bozeman, a teacher at Runlet with 19 years in the Concord School District, told the board, “The need for a new middle school is critical.” Amy Schaffner, another Runlet teacher, said simply, “I just need a new school,” and urged the board to choose the option that delivered a new building fastest.

Residents who favor keeping the school at Runlet emphasized safety, walkability and community investment in the South Street site. Several speakers who live near Runlet said the majority of families in the city can more easily walk or bike to the existing site and warned that the Broken Ground location would rely heavily on buses.

Speakers who backed Broken Ground reiterated arguments the board made in 2023: less disruption to students during construction and, according to some presentations cited at recent meetings, a lower overall cost and faster timeline in earlier projections. Opponents of Broken Ground countered that updated estimates narrowed the cost gap and that the community has repeatedly expressed a preference to keep the school at Runlet; as one resident, Bert Cooper, told the board, “Voters have voted against your recommendation and against Broken Ground.”

Motion text, movers and vote

Board counsel read a motion for the record that instructs the district to rescind the Dec. 26, 2023 vote to relocate Runlet Middle School to Broken Ground and instead to design a new middle school adjacent to the current Runlet site at 144 South Street. The motion specifies design work only (program, schematic and construction documents); it does not authorize construction.

- Motion: rescind Dec. 26, 2023 relocation vote and direct design of a new middle school adjacent to Runlet Middle School (design only; not construction). - Mover: Miss Higgins (School Board Member). - Seconder: Miss Boucher (School Board Member). - Roll-call vote (as read into the record): Miss Boucher — yes; Miss Campbell — yes; Miss Hastings — no; Miss Higgins — yes; Mr. Richards — no; Miss Robinson — no; Miss Sadowski — yes; Miss Walsh — yes; School Board President Miss Meeker — yes. - Tally: yes 6, no 3. Motion passes.

What the board approved, and what remains undecided

The board’s action authorizes design work at the Runlet site; it does not vote to construct the building or approve financing for construction. Several board members and multiple public commenters noted that a future construction vote will require additional cost estimates, funding decisions and, potentially, state building aid. Board members said the district will continue to pursue and evaluate state building aid and final construction timing.

Board members’ statements and local context

Board members who voted to rescind said they were responding to extensive public comment and emailed feedback that, by the board’s count, favored rebuilding at Runlet. Members who opposed the motion raised concerns that rebuilding at Runlet would cost more, require more time to complete, and provide less state aid than a Broken Ground build. Several speakers and board members also urged third‑party cost review and tighter cost controls in planning.

Next steps and community reaction

District staff and the board's design team will proceed with schematic design work for a new Runlet Middle School. The board must later consider construction authorization, final financing and any state building aid awards; timelines for those steps were not set in Wednesday’s vote. Public comment at the hearing made clear that supporters and opponents expect close follow‑up and continued involvement by residents, teachers and neighborhood groups.

The board’s decision aims to move the project forward while acknowledging there remain open questions about final cost, construction timing and mitigation of disruption to students during construction.