Good Afternoon Milford Public Schools Community,
Over the past three years, the Board of Education has been engaged in a comprehensive process to develop a Long Range Facilities Plan for the district’s 14 schools. In recent communications, we have shared updates on this work and the timeline leading to a final vote on the Long Range Facilities Master Plan, currently scheduled for April 27.
What decisions have been made?
On February 3, our consultant, Perkins Eastman, presented findings indicating that there is currently no viable land available to support a single consolidated high school. Based on this analysis, the Board has committed to moving forward with plans that retain and improve our existing two comprehensive high schools.
On February 23, Perkins Eastman presented findings on the middle schools, outlining three possible scenarios for a future configuration/construction plan, with a recommendation to consolidate to two middle schools. The Board also hosted a Public Engagement Session on March 2 to gather community input.
After careful consideration of three years of data collection, analysis, and community feedback, the Board voted at last night’s meeting to consolidate from three to two middle schools. This will include the rebuilding of East Shore Middle School and West Shore Middle School, and the eventual retirement of Harborside Middle School.
We want to be clear that this decision will not take effect immediately and will not impact the upcoming school year nor current middle school students. This will be a years-long process, and throughout that time, we are committed to supporting every student, family, and staff member.
We want to acknowledge the deep connection many members of our community have with Harborside Middle School. For generations of students, families, and staff, Harborside has been a place of learning, friendships, and important milestones. We understand that this news may be difficult for many in our community, and this decision was not made lightly.
The Board carefully reviewed recommendations from district administrators and facilities experts, who indicated that a two-middle-school model would best serve our projected enrollment and educational programming needs. Two right-sized middle schools will allow the district to better align with national enrollment standards, while supporting a stronger balance of resources, so we can invest more effectively in both facilities and student programming.
Maintaining middle schools on each side of town also provides the most balanced geographic access for families across Milford and helps ensure that transportation demands are shared fairly across the city.
This model also creates greater opportunities for students. With two modern, right-sized schools, we will be able to expand elective offerings and provide students with more choice in their learning. In addition, the design of new facilities will allow for more intentional use of outdoor space, including additional room for athletic fields and recreational areas that support both physical education and extracurricular activities.
We also want to reassure families that class sizes will not increase. The Board remains committed to its current class size guidelines. Rebuilding two modern middle schools will allow us to design facilities that fully support the needs of all students, our educational goals, our commitment to high quality instruction, and nurturing the sense of belonging within our school communities.
While a specific construction timeline has not yet been established, we are committed to thoughtful planning and will continue to keep the community informed as more details become available. This is part of a long-term plan designed to avoid sudden disruption for students, staff, and families.
What are the next steps?
March 16 –Board of Education Meeting - Perkins Eastman presentation on elementary schools - Parsons Government Center at 7 p.m.
March 30 – Interactive Public Engagement Session (Elementary School Focus) - Pumpkin Delight Elementary School at 7 p.m.
April 13 – Board of Education Meeting - Presentation of the Draft Master Plan - Parsons Government Center at 7 p.m.
April 20 – Interactive Public Engagement Session (Master Plan Focus) - Jonathan Law High School at 7 p.m.
April 27 – Board of Education Meeting - Public Hearing and Board Vote on the Master Plan - Parsons Government Center at 7 p.m.
Your voice matters. These engagement sessions are structured to allow for dialogue, questions, and feedback that will inform the final plan. In addition, every regular Board meeting includes time for public comment.
Stay Informed
All presentations, reports, and related materials are available on the MPS website. Perkins Eastman has also developed a comprehensive dashboard that provides easy access to data, timelines, and planning documents to help you stay informed.
This plan will shape the future of our schools for decades to come. We encourage every parent, student, staff member, and community member to participate, ask questions, and share your perspective.
Together, we can ensure the final plan reflects the needs and priorities of our entire community.
Sincerely,
Susan Glennon, Chair Anna M. Cutaia, Ed.D., Superintendent
Board of Education Milford Public Schools