It now appears there is no expectation of any building aid from the state to partially offset the cost of a new Rundlett Middle School, which would cost approximately $164 million. Previously, School Board deliberations included some level of aid to reduce the total expenditure. With this financial setback, I suggest that the Board pause any further expenditures for the architects until they provide Concord taxpayers with a cheaper alternative for review. It appears the contract with HMFH architects says that “If the District does not receive state funding in the next bi-annual funding cycle (2025-26, 2026-2027), the contract may be paused until such funding is made available for the project.” A pause would allow time for the Board and the people of Concord to explore all possibilities.

If the goal is to proceed as expeditiously as possible and to get public support behind them, then the Board should show the citizens a more budget-friendly way to upgrade the facilities for our middle school students. One proposal has been to possibly “save” the gym, multipurpose room and areas that were only built around 1990 and have exterior walls. Some of those spaces do not seem raze-worthy. Remember, the Concord taxpayers who will pay for the new Rundlett are the same people who are also facing city projects such as an expensive new police station, a controversial new golf clubhouse, improvements to the Memorial Field complex and a serious upgrade to the Hall St. wastewater facilities.

Anne Hartshorn

Concord