Woburn School Committee explores modular classrooms amid rising student enrollment

The Woburn City Council meeting on March 18, 2025, focused on addressing the growing student population and the urgent need for additional school space. The discussion highlighted the challenges faced by local schools, particularly the overcrowding at the Herald Wyman and Goodyear schools, and the potential solutions being considered.

A key point raised during the meeting was the recommendation to pursue modular classrooms as a temporary solution to accommodate the increasing number of students. This recommendation came from the Early Childhood Program (ECP) task force, which included teachers and community members. The task force's findings were presented to the school committee, emphasizing the necessity of acting swiftly to prevent students from being relocated multiple times due to capacity issues.

The council members expressed concerns about the structural integrity of the proposed modular units, with questions raised about whether any building engineers had assessed them. It was noted that while the school department had been aware of the modular options since October, no inspections had been conducted to ensure their safety and functionality.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the acknowledgment that a new school building could take at least seven years to complete. In the meantime, the modular classrooms are seen as a viable short-term solution to alleviate overcrowding and better serve the community's growing student population.

The meeting concluded with a call for further evaluation of the modular units and a commitment to explore all available options to meet the educational needs of Woburn's families. The council's next steps will involve collaboration with city officials and stakeholders to ensure that the best possible solutions are implemented promptly.