Weston feasibility group adopts 0.38 enrollment ratio, advances independent demographic study

WESTON — December 19, 2024 — Weston working group adopts 0.38 enrollment ratio for combined middle-high school study. The High School/Middle School Feasibility Study Working Group on Dec. 19 accepted design-team planning numbers projecting roughly 915 high school students in 10 years, about 40 percent above current enrollment, by layering anticipated MBTA Communities and pipeline housing onto NESDEC's forecast. Lead architect Jenny initially proposed using Weston's current 0.24 children-per-unit multifamily ratio; School Committee member Maya Patel flagged the RKG study's 0.2-to-0.44 range, and the group settled on 0.38. Lead architect Lee stressed the numbers are "planning numbers for a feasibility study," not official projections. Facilities Director Gary Jarobski said the Permanent Building Committee endorsed a parallel independent demographic study, with project manager Dan Carley collecting proposals. Superintendent Karen McCormack urged hiring a demographer quickly, citing a prior district where a new building was outgrown within years. The group next meets Jan. 30.