Opinion: Concord needs to pause the middle school project for transparency, accountability

Plans for a new Concord middle school to be built on raw land next to the Broken Ground and Mill Brook schools was chosen by members of the school board in a 6-3 vote in December.

Plans for a new Concord middle school to be built on raw land next to the Broken Ground and Mill Brook schools was chosen by members of the school board in a 6-3 vote in December. Monitor file

South Street location for middle school.

South Street location for middle school. Monitor file

By JEFF WELLS

Published: 02-04-2024 8:00 AM

Jeff Wells lives in Concord.

I’m writing as a concerned taxpayer and community member to express my apprehensions regarding the ongoing middle school project led by our local school board. My apprehensions include:

Missed project milestones; Clinton Street, failed bid for FY24 - FY25 School Building Aid. Operating on what appears to be an unlimited budget. Plans to spend $10.3 million on school design services. Lack of qualified stakeholders with input into the project. Poor communication. Lack of project governance and plan. Unrealistic expectations like New Hampshire state funding will be granted for $150+ million and, that Concord taxpayers want and can afford their final solution.

The above have raised questions about the project’s management, expenditures, and overall transparency. The purpose of this My Turn is to advocate for a temporary pause in the middle school project until local city taxpayers have access to more comprehensive and detailed information. I believe that a brief hiatus will allow for a thorough examination of the facts and ensure that the project aligns with the best interests of our community.

To facilitate this pause and promote transparency, I propose the following actions:

Petition for expenditure details: I urge our community to petition the local school board to provide a detailed breakdown of expenditures related to the middle school project. Knowing how taxpayer funds have been allocated is essential for fostering trust and accountability.

Timeline of events: Requesting a comprehensive timeline of events related to the middle school project will help us understand the decision-making process, key milestones, and any deviations from the initial plan. This timeline should include project costs and major decisions made by the school board.

Transparency is vital in maintaining the public’s trust, especially when it comes to projects of this magnitude funded by taxpayers. A pause in the project will allow time for our community to review these essential details, fostering an environment of openness and accountability.

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By shedding light on the need for transparency in the middle school project, we can collectively work towards ensuring that our tax dollars are spent judiciously and in the best interest of our community’s educational needs.

An informed community is an empowered one, and I am confident that by collectively advocating for a temporary pause in the middle school project and demanding increased transparency, we can contribute to the responsible management of public projects. Your support in this matter will not only address our concerns but also pave the way for a more collaborative and effective educational initiative in our community.