[Ed note: My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com.
The following letter is from Roger Challen on behalf of the Neary Building Committee.]
To the Editor:
The Neary Building Committee is providing a vision for the future in education—one that aligns with our community’s values of safety, inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability. The proposed new elementary school for grades 2–5 represents a major step forward in our shared commitment to providing students with a high-quality learning environment. More than just a school building, this project reflects the District’s dedication to the well-being and future of every child in our community.
Prioritizing Safety and Security
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. The new school will feature advanced security systems, including controlled entry points and surveillance technology, creating a secure, supportive space where learning can flourish. The new building will meet modern code standards, including a fire suppression system. Lastly, car traffic and bus traffic patterns are designed to ensure pedestrian safety.
Strengthening Educational Continuity and Community Connections
The new school will offer greater continuity in students’ educational experiences, reducing transitions and fostering lasting relationships between educators, students, and families. With fewer transitions, educators can spend more time focused on student learning than on preparing students to move to the next school. It will strengthen our school community and promote a more cohesive learning journey for students and families.
Inclusive and Accessible for All
The building will meet full ADA compliance standards, ensuring that every student, staff member, and visitor can access and navigate the facility with ease. Inclusivity and accessibility are fundamental to the District’s values and the design. Learning Organized by Grade Levels To Support Belonging Organized by grade level, collaborative “learning neighborhoods” will create smaller, more connected communities within the school. Grade-level learning neighborhoods will encourage peer relationships and a strong sense of belonging that supports academic and social-emotional development. The design fosters collaborative learning seamlessly across classrooms. Common areas are flexible and equipped to accommodate a science lab. The District will continue to offer class sizes that align with the school committee’s class size policy.
Targeted Student Support and Specialized Services
Spaces dedicated to special education, English language development, and literacy and math intervention services are thoughtfully integrated into each grade level. These supports will be delivered within the classroom and the grade-level wing to meet students’ unique needs while maintaining their connection to peers.
Maximizing Resources to Serve All Learners
Transitioning to a two-elementary school model will enable the district to allocate resources and staff more effectively, ensuring we meet the diverse needs of all learners. The design includes classrooms to create specialized special education programming that will provide more students with the opportunity to be educated alongside their peers, rather than receive their education outside of the District.
Enriching Spaces for Specialized Learning
Students will thrive in intentionally designed spaces for general music, band, orchestra, and strings, art, world languages, physical education, adaptive physical education, and the media center/library. These areas will nurture creativity, collaboration, and a well-rounded educational experience. Many of these spaces, which will be available for community use in the evening and on weekends, will allow students to showcase their talents.
Flexible and Future-Ready Classrooms
Modern, adaptable classrooms will support diverse instructional methods and future educational trends. The flexibility will facilitate whole-class as well as small-group, and individualized activities. These spaces will be equipped with technology and tools to prepare students for the world ahead.
Efficient and Environmentally Conscious Transportation
Redesigned bus routes will reduce student travel time and enhance the overall transportation experience, while also decreasing our environmental footprint.
The Neary Building Committee believes this project is a powerful investment in our children, faculty, staff, schools, and community’s future. We are excited by the opportunity to provide a safe, inclusive, and future-ready learning environment where every student can thrive.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to build a stronger future for our children.
Roger Challen
on behalf of the Neary Building Committee
