Communications committee reviews 'bricks and mortar' summary and debate over three‑building school configurations

The Weston Public Schools communications committee on March 6 reviewed a draft "bricks and mortar" summary of the district's March 2 facilities discussion and debated how to present a recurring proposal to operate the district in three school buildings.

Committee members said the March 2 discussion raised multiple options — shifting grade configurations among Hurlbut, WIS and the high school, or building a new, flexible middle school that could eventually change how grades are divided. Committee member (S3) said the draft should state "a plan to reconfigure all grades within 3 schools" rather than naming which buildings would be eliminated, arguing that more specific language could unnecessarily alarm parents.

"I think that that is actually fine, a plan to reconfigure all grades within 3 schools," Committee member (S3) said, emphasizing the need to be cautious in public wording. Another member (S4) noted the board did not fully vet the feasibility of placing all middle‑school students into existing facilities and that previous campus revitalization studies had partially examined similar concepts.

Members stressed the distinction between discussion and decision: several speakers reminded the group that what was under consideration had not been adopted by the board. Committee chair (S2) recommended keeping the community summary descriptive and high level so readers could choose to review full meeting recordings for detail.

The committee flagged key next steps: Colliers (the district's consultant) will participate at the forthcoming Educational Optimization Committee (EOC) meeting to examine educational specifications and feasibility, and the communications team should avoid language that implies an active decision to close specific schools until cost and renovation requirements are better understood.

The committee did not vote on a final public summary during the meeting; members agreed on revisions to keep the first bullet point more general and to retain a second bullet noting a longer‑term plan for a flexible middle school.

The committee adjourned after completing the agenda and set follow‑up work to refine the bricks‑and‑mortar summary ahead of wider distribution.