The Westwood School Committee on Nov. 20 recommended that the Select Board include a warrant article at the May 2026 annual town meeting to transfer care, custody and control of the Deerfield School (72 Deerfield Ave) to the town, effective July 1, 2026.

Superintendent Tim summarized the Deerfield Reuse Advisory Committee's work, saying the advisory panel had evaluated three viable uses for the building — swing space for Sheehan, flexible backup space for other schools, and a preschool site — and concluded none were fully viable without significant investment. Committee member (Speaker 2) said the district currently carries roughly $77,000 of costs in the operating budget related to Deerfield and recommended transfer so the town can decide future stewardship.

Why it matters: Committee members framed the transfer as a budget and facilities decision. Transferring the building would remove the ongoing cash burden from the district budget and send the ultimate decision about reuse and capital investment to Town Meeting and town officials.

What was approved: Committee member (Speaker 2) moved the recommendation and the motion was seconded by the Chair. The committee voted to recommend placing a warrant article on the May town-meeting warrant asking the town to accept care, custody and control of Deerfield School, with the transfer effective July 1, 2026. The Chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: The Select Board will be asked to place the warrant article on the May 2026 annual town-meeting warrant; final transfer requires town approval. The committee will follow any town-directed process and coordinate further communications about program continuity for current Deerfield users.