Over the past two years, a team of exceptional individuals has been hard at work pursuing a sustainable, long-term solution for the deficient physical structure of Longmeadow High School (LHS). These individuals, many of them volunteers, come from varied backgrounds of engineers, architects, educational professionals, public sector management and successful private enterprise entrepreneurs. This group of individuals, collectively known as the School Building Committee (SBC), has put in many hours, personally sacrificing time with their families to follow a very specific process dictated by the MSBA in order to present our town with the best possible solution for LHS. It is important to note that the SBC does not answer to and is not influenced by any other elected board in town. The SBC has conducted numerous open forums, information sessions, and building tours in order to solicit public input, educate the community and substantiate the most educationally appropriate and financially prudent solution for our town. As elected officials in town, we are asked to make decisions that we feel are best for the entire town based upon the best information given by our appointed experts. In this case, the SBC is the appointed expert. Personally, I, as an elected official who has supported cross-functional efforts to create sustainable budgets and valued services for the whole town, support the great work that they have done. No process is ever perfect. It is undeniable that the economy has not recovered, and not everyone may like every facet of the process that is presented to us but, in the end, the decision is clear.
Supporting the project presented by the SBC and approved by the MSBA is the right course of action. We must trust our experts who have served this community with distinction. The current combination of low interest rates, low construction costs and state reimbursement money make it a decision that we must say YES to.
Armand Wray
Member, Longmeadow School Committee
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