As Lexington braces for more multifamily housing, debate intensifies over $660 million high school

Overview of the Project

Lexington is planning to build a new high school, estimated to cost $660 million, making it one of the most expensive in Massachusetts. The project aims to address overcrowding and issues with the aging existing campus. A special election on December 8 will determine whether voters approve raising property taxes over 20 years to fund the school. The new building is intended to be constructed on the current football field, with the old buildings demolished afterward to create new playing fields.

Housing and Enrollment Concerns

The school project is closely tied to the town’s rezoning efforts under the MBTA Communities law, which requires municipalities served by public transit to zone for increased multifamily housing. Lexington rezoned over 225 acres for development, surpassing the roughly 80 acres needed for compliance. This has sparked debate about how many new housing units will be built, and how many students these units might add to local schools. Some estimates suggest the developments could bring hundreds to over a thousand multifamily units, with enrollment increases expected to be modest so far. Critics argue that multifamily housing does not usually generate as many children as anticipated, while some local voices worry about potential impacts on school capacity and budgets.

Community and Official Perspectives

Supporters, including the Select Board, largely favor the project, with over 90 percent of attendees at a recent Town Meeting approving. Superintendent Julie Hackett has emphasized the need for a healthy learning environment and believes the school's design can accommodate future expansions if necessary. Opponents question the size and cost of the project, debating whether the school will be large enough for future enrollment growth. They also express concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers and whether staged renovations to existing buildings might be more cost-effective or less disruptive.

Legislative and Planning Background

The MBTA zoning overlay mandates that towns allow a certain capacity for multifamily housing near transit, but this does not guarantee immediate or full build-out of these units. Planning experts and state guidelines suggest only a portion of the allowable units will materialize over many years, often resulting in fewer students per unit than feared. The complex enrollment forecasting process has become more challenging due to the increased rezoning and ongoing development proposals.

"Students deserve space where they can learn in a healthy environment," said Superintendent Hackett regarding the new school's design and capacity plans.
— James Vaznis, The Boston Globe

Funding and Construction Approach

The $660 million proposal contrasts with incremental renovation approaches that may extend construction timelines and disrupt learning. By building the new school separately on the football field first, the project aims to avoid these issues, though the overall price tag remains a subject of intense public discussion.

The Lexington school project reflects broader tensions between accommodating housing growth mandated by state law and ensuring adequate, modern educational facilities without overburdening taxpayers.

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The Boston Globe The Boston Globe — 2025-12-01

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