News

Special Town Meeting, debt exclusion vote and more community forums all on the horizon

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (Sept. 24, 2026) – Progress toward a new building to replace Parker Middle School is moving along swiftly, with some important dates on the horizon.

In August, the Chelmsford Select Board approved setting a Special Town Meeting for the Parker Building Project on Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, and a special ballot election/debt exclusion vote on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2027.

The last time a school building project was undertaken in Chelmsford was over 50 years ago and the need is great.

“This isn’t just a request for a new school or a new school design,” said Dr. Jay Lang, Superintendent of Schools. “We actually have an enrollment increase at our elementary and middle school levels, and we don’t have the physical capacity over the next 5-10 years to take care of the students that we know are going to be in the school system.”

School Building Committee chairman Patrick Maloney explained to the Select Board that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) could reimburse the Town up to 58% of eligible costs for the Parker Building Project, representing an opportunity that will not be available indefinitely.

“It will likely be another 7-10 years before getting another bite at the apple,” Maloney shared. “The MSBA is funded primarily by a dedicated revenue stream consisting of one penny, or one cent, of the Commonwealth’s 6.25% statewide sales tax. This means that every time one of us buys a taxable item, we’re helping to pay for new schools in Concord-Carlisle, Lowell, Dracut, Tyngsborough, etcetera. It’s Chelmsford’s turn to get what we deserve.”

The original application for this school building project began in 2018 with a statement of interest, after which the Town of Chelmsford entered the MSBA’s queue.

If the Special Town Meeting or debt exclusion votes were to fail, the district would need to start the process all over again to be considered for another building project.

“Costs are only going to escalate,” Dr. Lang said. “It’s never going to be cheaper 10 years from now.”

Leading up to those important votes at the start of the new year, there will be several community forums offering interested residents the opportunity to learn more about the project and have their questions answered.

The first will be on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Chelmsford Elks Lodge, 300 Littleton Road. More dates will be announced as they are set.

For more information about and to stay up to date on the status of the Parker Building Project, please visit https://parkermsproject.com.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.