Select Board backs consolidated middle school and urges turnout for Sept. 9 vote

The Longmeadow Select Board on Sept. 2 voted to adopt a statement supporting construction of a consolidated middle school at the current Williams Middle School site and urged residents to attend the special town meeting on Sept. 9 and the follow-up special election on Sept. 30 to consider project funding and a proposed debt exclusion.

The board’s statement said both Williams and Glenbrook middle schools are “nearing the end of their useful lives,” argued that a single consolidated building would be more cost‑effective than renovating both, and recommended Article 1 of the Sept. 9 special town meeting. Select Board Chair Josh Levine read the drafted statement and the board voted to adopt it.

Why it matters: The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process tied to this project makes the Sept. 9 meeting a key moment for securing state funding and for the town to decide whether to consolidate the two schools. Several residents who addressed the board and members of the school building committee said the decision carries long-term implications for town finances, school safety and property reuse in neighborhoods.

Public comment and concerns: During the resident comment portion, Kurt Friedman urged support for neighborhood, walkable schools and cited national research on school siting. Resident Bill DeJulio pressed the board to clarify the future of the Glenbrook property if the consolidated school is built on the Williams site. DeJulio noted the Commonwealth’s recent Affordable Homes Act and Longmeadow’s current affordable-housing share, and said voters deserve information about any plan for the Glenbrook parcel before approving the project. He said, in part, “I don't think anybody should be voting yes on this consolidated middle school until they know what the plan is for the Glenbrook property.”

Other speakers included Teresa DeGiulio, who said the select board’s duties are set by state law and the town charter and urged caution; Cameron Burke, an adviser to the Williams project and parent, who said the consultant work and outreach justify moving forward; and Carmen Ray, chair of the Longmeadow Middle School Building Committee, who closed public comment with a request that all eligible voters turn out on Sept. 9 and review committee materials posted online.

Moderator and logistics: Town Moderator Rebecca Townsend told the board and attendees the Sept. 9 special town meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Longmeadow High School gym and that doors will open at 5 p.m. because a large turnout is expected. Townsend outlined an expanded check‑in and overflow plan, explained how electronic voting devices will be used and said the meeting will allow for audio/video connections to overflow rooms. She said vote windows will remain open for several minutes to collect tallies from overflow receivers and that questions from voters will be limited to one minute.

Board discussion: Multiple Select Board members voiced support for the consolidated school. Select Board member Andrew Lamb said the project represents an opportunity to secure roughly $50 million in state support and warned that delaying or rejecting the vote would likely leave the town with costly emergency repairs and uncertain timelines for any alternative. Other members praised the years of study by the school building committee and encouraged residents to review the publicly posted materials.

Action taken: The board voted to adopt the position statement recommending Article 1 at the Sept. 9 special town meeting. The board also repeatedly encouraged broad voter participation at the special town meeting and at the Sept. 30 special election on the debt exclusion.

What’s next: The special town meeting to vote on Article 1 is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Longmeadow High School gymnasium. Ballot language for the possible debt exclusion and the special election procedures will follow MSBA-approved language and the town clerk will order ballots if Article 1 is approved at town meeting.