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Select Board interviews candidates for Lawrence School building committee, holds appointments until committee size decided
Summary
Select Board interviewed seven applicants for the Lawrence School building committee and discussed appropriate committee size; the town manager and chair will meet with the superintendent about final composition and appointments. Several candidates with design, construction, education and facilities experience were interviewed.
The Select Board conducted interviews March 23 for community seats on the Lawrence School Building Committee, a group charged with guiding a planned renovation of the Lawrence School. Seven candidates — including teachers, designers, architects, facilities managers and long‑time residents — presented brief statements on their qualifications and answered questions about school programming, design and construction.
Applicants emphasized programmatic expertise and a role bridging school needs and building design. Candidates included a school designer who teaches at Harvard Graduate School (Stacy Jason), an experienced facilities planner and former redevelopment authority leader, contractors and residents with long experience in school building projects. Town staff recommended a manageable committee size (no more than 13) and said the board would not finalize appointments until the Select Board and superintendent meet to determine the appropriate composition.
Select Board members said they value candidates who can wear multiple hats (facility knowledge, programmatic understanding, school operations) and noted the committee should include members with construction, education and parental perspectives. The board will reconvene to finalize appointments after consulting the superintendent and deciding a target committee size.
Quote: “Committee members are going to need to wear multiple hats,” a Select Board member said, urging a balance of programmatic and construction expertise.
Next steps: The board will meet with the superintendent and then return with a proposed slate that reflects the agreed committee size and needs.
