MSBA Board Votes to Invite Winchester into Feasibility Study for Muraco Elementary School

Dear Winchester Community,

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors voted unanimously at its regularly scheduled meeting yesterday to invite Winchester to participate in a Feasibility Study for the Francis J. Muraco Elementary School. Winchester was one of only three districts, alongside Arlington and Foxborough. While this action was anticipated, formal entry into the Feasibility phase represents a significant milestone in our project journey.

I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of the district at yesterday’s meeting, accompanied by School Committee members John Bellaire and Chair Tim Matthews, Director of Finance & Operations Andrew Marron, Muraco Principal Leslie West, Town Manager Chris Senior, and Select Board Chair Anthea Brady.

We entered the MSBA’s eligibility period on December 12, 2025, and have since completed every prerequisite. The Feasibility Study is where we’ll examine the issues at Muraco and look at a range of possible solutions. We’ll weigh both construction costs and long-term operating costs as we go; the goal is a plan that serves students, staff, and the school community. 

Over the coming weeks, we will provide updates and opportunities for input into our new school. To kick things off, we have launched a new project website at anewmuraco.winchesterps.org. It’s the best place to find project updates, meeting dates, documents, and other important information as it becomes available. 

We are one step closer!