Weston Board of Education approves educational specifications for proposed new middle school after debate on costs and alternatives

The Weston Board of Education on the night of its special meeting approved educational specifications for a proposed new Weston Middle School, moving the project forward to town-level fiscal review after more than 40 minutes of public comment and a staff presentation contrasting renovation options with new construction.

Board member Deb, summarizing nearly a decade of work dating to a 2017 feasibility study, said the latest assessments show build-new and renovate-as-new options closer in price than previously thought and argued the new-build approach best serves students’ learning environments. "Build new seems the best approach for kids," Deb said, noting studies and Colliers’ updated figures that have reduced earlier cost estimates.

The board heard an overview from district facilities staff member Phil, who walked through background studies and cost components. Phil said the 2017 phase-two renovation/additions scope totaled about $37.5 million as a baseline…