Nashoba Regional School Committee unanimously approves 20-year lease extensions for Lancaster, Stow and Bolton buildings

The Nashoba Regional School Committee voted unanimously June 29 to extend three town lease agreements for 20 years, authorizing the superintendent to notify the towns and take any steps required by the leases.

The committee approved identical motions to extend leases dated July 1, 2006, between the district and the towns of Lancaster, Stow and Bolton through June 30, 2046, and authorized the superintendent to effectuate notice under paragraph F of each lease.

Members raised procedural concerns before the votes. "I'm troubled by the way this has come about whereby, you know, effectively two days before we have to sign this," Committee member Scott said, arguing the board had little time to deliberate and that a shorter term might allow more thoughtful consideration with the towns. Superintendent Downing and staff said they had planned to bring the issue in September but were advised by legal counsel it was better to exercise the extension option before the current leases expired, to avoid opening full renegotiations.

Assistant Superintendent Moar summarized the documents for the committee: the three leases are identical and were originally dated July 1, 2006; each contains an option for a 20-year extension. Staff said approving the superintendent's exercise of that option is a routine, counsel-recommended procedural step. Downing and staff noted the leases include clauses allowing renegotiation during the extended term and permit termination with one year's notice; any substantive changes would also trigger regional-agreement revisions and require town approvals at town meeting.

Lexi asked why the high school was not part of the leases. Staff answered that the district owns the high school property, so it is not subject to the town lease agreements.

Committee members also discussed the broader question of whether the district should pursue ownership of buildings rather than leasing them. Members referenced other districts that have transferred building ownership to the district and noted that the current leases charge no rent because capital costs are charged back to towns. Staff said capital repairs above $10,000 are treated as capital items under Massachusetts law and typically require town votes; those provisions and capital-cost responsibilities were negotiated into the regional agreement and the leases.

Scott made the motions for each town and a committee member seconded. The recorded votes on each motion were: Chair (voted yes), Scott (yes), Robin (yes), Jillian (yes), Matt (yes), Shandor (yes), Lindsay (yes) and Lexi (yes). Each motion passed unanimously.

Superintendent Downing proposed adding a fuller discussion of owning versus leasing and possible regional-agreement changes to the district's upcoming fiscal-year planning calendar; staff member Alita was asked to add the item for future deliberation. The meeting concluded after the committee adjourned following the votes.