As we open the 2024-2025 school year, we want to keep families informed of our plans for the future of our elementary schools, specifically the South Elementary School building and redistricting. Stoughton’s two oldest elementary buildings, the South and the Wilkins, have serious issues ranging from insufficient space and accessibility to aging systems and materials. Additionally, our elementary schools are at or even above capacity due to increasing enrollment from both residents and the families sheltered at the two hotels. Doing nothing to address these buildings’ deficiencies and overcrowding is not an option.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has granted Stoughton an extension to pursue a revote for the proposed new consolidated elementary building after the original vote failed this past June. This new consolidated elementary school would allow the district to close the existing South building, upgrade the HVAC systems at the Wilkins to allow us to continue using that building, and then move the preschool from the Jones to the Wilkins. If the Select Board places the revote on the April 2025 ballot and the town’s voters approve, Stoughton will still receive the MSBA grant to fund a significant portion of the building project. The new building would open in 2028-2029.
Even though the district feels the new consolidated school is the best option for our students’ education and the town’s finances, we are moving forward with the results of June’s failed special election and are also planning in the event that a revote is not successful. After revisiting options the School Building Committee rejected for their costs and failure to fit Stoughton’s educational needs, the district is considering two choices:
1) to close the South building and put modular classrooms permanently at the remaining elementary schools in town.
2) to renovate fully and add onto the South building. South students would relocate to temporary modular classrooms at other elementary schools for several years.
It is important to note that neither choice is eligible for MSBA or other state grants to offset their costs. Also, neither option moves Stoughton forward with its 21st-century educational goals or addresses the Wilkins and other facilities, and both would further delay much needed work on the middle school. In any case, any substantial work would likely begin in 2026-2027.
Regardless of the final decision regarding the South, the School Committee has directed the Superintendent to begin the process of redistricting for all elementary schools. Redistricting would result in the redrawing of the boundary lines that determine where students attend elementary school and would affect families at all of our elementary schools. The expected implementation for redistricting is as early as 2026-2027.
While we understand that these options may not sound ideal, the district will work on finding the best solution given the circumstances. We will be providing regular updates to keep our families informed.
Thank you.