01/05/2026
Message from the Superintendent of Schools
Happy New Year to All!
The following information was sent out as a district email to all families and staff, as an SMS text message and posted on our website.
December 31st Elementary School Building Project Update
As we continue moving toward the Town Meeting vote on the Elementary School Building Project, we want to keep you and the community fully informed. Please feel free to share this with others who are outside of the school community, as well as on town pages. It is our goal to make sure accurate and verified information gets out to the public so you can make an informed decision. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.
Special Town Meeting
SATURDAY, January 31st at 10 am at the Middle/Senior High School. Please note the day of the meeting as this is the first time it has been on a Saturday. There will be child care available for the meeting.
Project Videos
Check out the four short videos (approximately two minutes each) that provide additional information about the building project. Videos are available on the Building Project Website https://wbesbuildingproject.com/ and the District Website https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/article/2598221. We hope you find them informative and helpful.
Elementary School Building Tours
Come and tour the elementary schools on Thursday, January 15th from 5pm - 7pm. Below is the schedule for the evening. We will have school and building project team available at each school to give you a tour and to answer any questions you may have. There will be tours at the times listed below and travel time to get to another school so you have the opportunity to see all 3 elementary schools.
5:00 - 5:30 PM Tour 1
10-minute travel time
5:40 - 6:10 PM Tour 2
10-minute travel time
6:20 - 6:40 PM Tour 3
Although we are not eliminating the Spring Street School, we want to give people the opportunity to see the much-improved educational setting for our PreK going into the Kindergarten wing. The Rose L MacDonald School and Howard School tours will focus on educational spaces that are outdated and overcrowded, as well as looking at the current conditions and limitations in the buildings.
Project Presentation
For comprehensive project details, please review the updated presentation available below. We are continuing to add information so when we do we will repost the updated presentations.
https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/article/2582107
Topics Included:
Project goals
Explanation of why the Howard School site was not selected
Traffic improvements and site upgrades at the RLM site
Stormwater retention systems (not currently present)
Floor plans for each level
Building height, tree buffers, and outdoor learning/play spaces
Tax information showing decreasing annual payments
Cost comparisons with similar projects
Case study on cost increases when projects are delayed
Cost of renovations if the project is not completed (excluding additions)
Weekly Information Meetings
Meetings are held every Thursday at 8:00 AM at the Spring Street School (Superintendent’s Office). A virtual option is also available via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/izo-istp-gvp. Community members are encouraged to attend or join virtually to ask questions.
Tax Calculator
The project tax calculator is available on both the Building Project Website and the Town Website. The increase shown reflects Year 1 only. The Town uses level principal bonding, meaning annual payments decrease each year
Community and Town Meetings
We have met or are scheduled to meet with the following groups:
PTO – December 2, 2025
Arts Boosters – December 9, 2025
Athletic Boosters – December 10, 2025
WBYAA – December 15, 2025
SEPAC – December 16, 2025
Council on Aging – January 6, 2026
Board of Selectmen - January 7, 2026
Finance Committee - January 8, 2026
Lions Club – TBD
If you have suggestions for additional groups, please let us know.
Communication/Questions?
We appreciate the thoughtful questions and engagement from our community. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Contact Information:
Mark Bodwell, Superintendent
📧 [email protected]
PMA Consultants (OPM)
📧 [email protected]
Project Information & Resources
Elementary School Building Project Website:
https://wbesbuildingproject.com/
West Bridgewater Public Schools Website:
https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/
West Bridgewater Public Schools Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/wbridgewatterschools/
Town of West Bridgewater Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TownofWestBridgewater
December District Newsletter
https://app.smore.com/n/2xeky
Thank you for your continued support.
Happy New Year to you all!
Mark Bodwell
Superintendent
West Bridgewater Public Schools
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