Councilors in the Town of Braintree on Tuesday night urged caution and more information after the school committee signaled it could vote as early as March 17 on redistricting options that may include closing one or more elementary schools.

The issue matters because school closures and redistricting would affect neighborhood school assignments, transportation patterns and the town’s existing partnerships with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which has previously contributed to the construction and renovation of nearly every school in the district.

Council President Ringuis opened the communication on the topic by summarizing the school committee’s recent public sessions and noting the committee’s possible March 17 vote. Councilor Hume, who chairs the Braintree School Building Committee, told the council the district had met with MSBA and that the authority requires about six months’ lead time to analyze and respond to a request tied to closing a school. Hume said MSBA has indicated it will work with the town but that there could be some payback of previously awarded funds; she said the exact amount and mechanics are not yet known.

Councilors and other speakers at the meeting pressed for more detail before any final decision. Councilor Maglio asked that the school committee “pause the vote” and use data to craft a larger vision for any building that might be left vacant. Several councilors referenced potential financial impacts: one speaker said the town faces roughly an $800,000 gap between the mayor’s recommended budget and the schools’ estimate for level services, and another noted that about $1,000,000 of pressure on the schools’ forecast is tied to potential special-education cost increases.

Councilors also raised operational concerns. One councilor described possible traffic impacts if students from a closed neighborhood were re-assigned to a larger South Campus, calling for traffic and route studies before enactment. Highlands district residents and parents, several councilors said, are worried closure options would target their neighborhood and urged continued participation from affected families.

Mayor Joyce responded to council questions by email, the council president said, telling officials that MSBA had indicated a closure decision would not automatically jeopardize future MSBA partnerships. Mike Edmonds, the town’s director of municipal finance, attended the MSBA meeting and was described as having briefed the building committee on budget implications.

Several speakers asked that the incoming superintendent, Tim McDonald, who has participated in the redistricting work to date, be allowed to complete an assessment before any final vote. Councilors said McDonald has been part of the subcommittee evaluating options and has knowledge of the process.

Councilors and speakers repeatedly urged the school committee to provide additional fiscal and operational detail — including MSBA payback scenarios, traffic analyses for affected routes, and a clear townwide plan for reuse of any vacated property — before advancing a final vote.

The school committee has scheduled additional sessions; the town council said it will continue to monitor the process and share updates as more information becomes available.