 October 23, 2000 Ms. Christine Weithman, Chair
Dear Ms. Weithman: The Board of Directors of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce recently voted unanimously to support the Debt Exclusion Override for construction of a new Wilson Middle School and improvements to the Kennedy Middle School in Natick. Superintendent of Natick Schools Dr. Jerome Goldberg and override opponent Linda Sussman made presentations to the Board in April. Over the summer, an independent Peer Review of alternative proposals was conducted for the town. Based on that review, The Natick School Committee and the Natick Board of Selectmen voted to support $24,600,000 for construction of a new Wilson Middle School and $1,000,000 for renovations to Kennedy Middle School. The Chamber recognizes that an educated workforce is a key to the continued economic vitality of Natick and MetroWest. The available middle school classrooms in Natick are inadequate for current and anticipated increases in enrollment. The proposed construction of a new Wilson Middle School and improvements to the Kennedy Middle School will provide the modern resources necessary to prepare the children of Natick for their role in the economy of the future. The current formula for state reimbursement of construction costs makes the passage of this debt exclusion override very timely. The MetroWest Chamber sees participation in local affairs as crucial to the continued viability of the business sector and the resulting continued financial growth of each community. The Chamber believes that the education of our children is crucial to all, and supports the Debt Exclusion Override and Natick’s efforts to provide a learning environment for the 21st Century. Sincerely,
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