Woburn School Committee sets timeline for MSBA Statement of Interest; plans public forum with feasibility author

The Woburn School Committee on June 25 agreed on a public schedule leading to a vote this fall about whether to ask the superintendent to file a Statement of Interest (SOI) with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for a school-construction project.

Chair Ellen Crowley outlined a proposed timeline that begins with a public forum to review the feasibility-study alternatives and continues with surveys and public interactions through August and September. The committee voted to have the chair and Superintendent Matthew Crowley engage Donna DeNisco, author of the district’s feasibility study, for a public forum around July 30, pending her availability.

Committee members debated whether July 30 was the best timing: some members said summer scheduling could reduce public turnout, while others said an earlier forum would give the administration more time to prepare a robust SOI and allow for wider public input before the filing window. Vice chair Pat Chisholm and Superintendent Crowley said the forum will be recorded and followed by additional fall engagement; members agreed to provide multiple ways for residents to submit questions.

The proposed schedule as described by the chair: DeNisco’s public evaluation forum (proposed July 30), an August–September survey and additional outreach, and a final committee vote on the SOI in late September or early October so that, if directed, the superintendent and administration can prepare the formal materials for MSBA deadlines later this year.

The committee also asked that the city council be invited to the forum once the date is confirmed.

What’s next: The chair and superintendent will confirm DeNisco’s availability and publicize the forum logistics; the committee plans follow-up office hours and recorded events and will collect survey responses before a formal vote on filing an SOI.