The Westford School Committee voted unanimously Monday to recommend town authorization of $1.6 million for a feasibility study and schematic report for the Robinson School, a required first step to apply for Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funding.

The action followed a district space‑usage update delivered to the committee that found many classroom-size differences across buildings and more rooms earmarked for special education, English‑language learning and other designated purposes than in previous analyses, reducing the number of general‑purpose classrooms available for typical class sections.

The feasibility authorization would pay owners’ project manager, architect and engineering services, and site diligence (surveys, environmental and traffic analysis) for roughly 10–12 months of study. The committee was told the MSBA currently estimates Westford’s reimbursement rate at about 48.5% of eligible costs; the $1.6 million authorization is the full town warrant figure, though not all of that is expected to be spent. The committee was also told the MSBA begins reimbursing invoices once the town submits them under an approved contract.

Why it matters: the MSBA requires a feasibility study that compares at least four outcomes — do nothing, repair/bring existing facility up to code, renovate/add, or new construction — and recommends the option it deems most educationally appropriate. For Robinson, that radar includes whether to retain a pre‑K–2 organization, build a pre‑K–5 facility, or pursue a different consolidation/redistricting scheme across the district. The feasibility study will evaluate the Robinson site, a second candidate site discussed by the committee (Abbott site was cited as an example) and a third site to be identified if needed.

The committee’s space‑usage work team (the superintendent, district administrators and facilities staff) reviewed floor plans at each building, counted “Category A” classrooms (rooms large enough for a full section) and then subtracted rooms already designated for special programs (preschool, OT/PT, small-group special‑education rooms, art/library spaces used as dedicated program rooms) to calculate a usable classroom inventory. That analysis showed elementary buildings’ effective usable capacity differs markedly because of room size and how many rooms are dedicated to non‑general‑education uses. The team said that while district enrollment is down from its recent peak, the number of students identified for special education has risen (from about 12% in the 2014 report the team reviewed to about 18.7% today) and English‑language learners are a larger share than in 2014; both changes reduce flexible, general‑purpose capacity.

Committee members pressed for details about what a new building or renovation would cost, how the MSBA’s recommendation would affect what the town could select, and what sites would be considered. Members were told the feasibility work will include test‑fits and high‑level cost estimates for each option so the town and committee can weigh upfront capital needs against long‑term operating and capital savings across the district.

The committee also reviewed estimates from the 2023 facilities assessment that put near‑term capital needs for Robinson, Abbott and Day schools in the tens of millions (figures presented were in 2023 dollars) and heard that delaying major work without a plan would likely increase total costs and risk triggering more extensive code‑upgrade requirements if work is piecemeal.

After discussion, the committee voted to recommend Article 7 (the feasibility study authorization) for the March 22 annual town meeting. Committee members also agreed to continue public outreach: building tours and forums were scheduled in the weeks before town meeting.

Budget and next steps: if the warrant article is approved at town meeting, the district will issue a request for qualifications for an owners’ project manager and hire an architect/engineer to conduct the feasibility and schematic work. The report will include the MSBA’s preferred solution and the district’s options; any proposed construction project would come back to voters for authorization and would be reimbursable at the MSBA rate on eligible costs.

Ending: The feasibility authorization passed the committee on a unanimous voice vote; committee leaders said the study is intended to produce an evidence‑based recommendation that the community can review before any construction decision.