Letter To The Editor On Proposed Hanlon-Deerfield Elementary

WESTWOOD, MA - The following was submitted by members of the Westwood School Committee in favor of the proposed Hanlon-Deerfield combined elementary school

A Vote for Westwood’s Future

The time has come for Westwood to vote on the new Hanlon-Deerfield school project. There are many reasons why building a new, 21st century elementary school to replace the decades’ old Hanlon and Deerfield Schools is the right investment for Westwood’s future. We highlight the top few here, in the hope you will come out and vote your support.

First, we have significant capital needs that must be addressed. Hanlon and Deerfield are both approximately 70 years old and have significant deficiencies in educational spaces and mechanical infrastructure. Neither school is ADA-compliant. Both lack sufficient space for special education, small group instruction, art, music, as well as health and wellness services. The plumbing and HVAC systems in each building are original to the 1950’s construction. If we do not move forward with this project, the base repair alone will cost $41 million and the buildings will still have all of the deficiencies mentioned above without any new community benefits.

Second, Westwood has the opportunity to receive significant funding from the state to offset the cost to taxpayers for this project. The total project cost is about $87.8 million. The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has committed approximately $18.2 million dollars for this project, if the voters move it forward--reducing the total project cost to Westwood residents to about $69.6 million. The MSBA’s participation is tied to this project design only; the funds can’t be used for any other purpose. If we don’t move forward with the proposed Hanlon-Deerfield project, we forfeit the MSBA’s grant and Westwood residents alone will bear the cost of improving and modernizing these buildings.

Third, the proposed school design reflects what the community told us it wants.

The School Department conducted hundreds of hours of community meetings, analysis, redesigns and budget cuts. We listened to residents and made our best effort to incorporate that input and feedback. As a result, this is a project for the entire community. The gymnasium and new playing fields will accommodate community, sports, and recreation programs; the cafeteria will have flexible performance space for community productions and events; and the school grounds will even feature a new trailhead with adjacent parking to ensure continuing access to the Lowell Woods. Students across the District will use the building for summer enrichment programming.

Fourth, the cost of the building is on par or lower than school building projects in neighboring communities. At a cost of $621 per square foot, the cost of the proposed Hanlon-Deerfield School is significantly lower than elementary school projects in neighboring communities, such as Medfield ($670/sq. ft), Wellesley ($695/sq. ft), Ashland ($665/sq. ft) and Westborough ($652/sq. ft.). Even with the fiscally responsible design choices we’ve made, the new school will be a model of sustainability, highly energy efficient and built for generational durability.

Finally, Westwood is a community that has always supported education. We are known for the quality of our school system. Many families move here to access the schools. And the quality and reputation of the District is a primary driver in Westwood’s excellent home values.

The new Hanlon-Deerfield elementary school will continue Westwood’s investment in our children’s education and in our community for generations to come.

For all of these reasons, we urge you to vote your support for the Hanlon-Deerfield Building Project at the Special Town Meeting on Monday, Oct. 18 and at the Special Town Election on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Maya Khuri Plotkin, chair, Westwood School Committee; Charlie Donohue, vice-chair, Westwood School Committee; Carol Lewis, Westwood School Committee; Tony Mullin, Westwood School Committee; Amanda Phillips, Westwood School Committee.

This letter does not necessarily reflect the views of Patch.