Why This Matters

The proposed relocation of grades 6-8 from WES isn’t just a budget adjustment—it’s a fundamental change that could have lasting impacts on our students, families, and community.

  • By removing 6-8 students from WES, enrollment would drop significantly, making the school more vulnerable to eventual closure. If WES closes entirely, Westford students would have to travel outside of town for their entire education.

    A local school keeps Westford a strong, vibrant community—once it’s gone, it’s nearly impossible to get back.

  • Westford is a small but close-knit town, and WES is at the heart of it. A thriving local school:

    • Keeps families in town and attracts new residents

    • Supports property values—a strong school makes Westford a desirable place to live

    • Builds community connections—without WES, we lose a vital gathering place

    When towns lose their schools, they often lose more than just a building—they lose their sense of community.

  • Parent involvement is crucial for student success, but moving students out of WES makes this harder:

    • Longer travel times mean fewer opportunities for parents to volunteer or attend events

    • Parents with multiple children in different schools will face logistical challenges

    • Extracurricular participation could drop if students can’t easily stay after school

  • Moving younger students out of WES means longer bus rides and added transportation challenges:

    • Long bus rides for students

    • Difficult logistics for families with children in multiple schools

    • Winter weather risks, with longer commutes and potential delays

  • Relocating students means consolidating them into fewer schools, which typically leads to:

    • Bigger class sizes, reducing one-on-one attention for students

    • Fewer resources per student, as staff and funding get stretched thinner

    • Limited access to support services, like special education and counseling

  • Forcing students to change schools earlier than expected can be disruptive to their emotional and social well-being.

    • Middle schoolers will face an earlier, more difficult transition to a new school environment

    • Younger students left at WES may feel the loss of their older peers and reduced school programming

  • The district says this move will cut costs, but does it really?

    • Will increased transportation costs cancel out the savings?

    • What happens if Westford families start leaving the district?

    • Could alternative budget solutions be explored instead?

Westford deserves a transparent, community-driven process—not rushed decisions with long-term consequences.

Why Parents Support A One-Year Pause

  • “A move from WES to EMS should be well planned, not rushed. So far, the only justification we've heard is 'it'll save money,' but key details are missing. We don’t know where the savings would come from, how much is actually being saved, what alternatives were considered, what the transportation plan is, or what added transportation costs might be. In recent visits to EMS, classrooms already seem quite full. Can EMS realistically absorb WES students, not just based on square footage, but considering how space is actually used, including furnishings and equipment needed for effective teaching?”

  • “Pulling students from WES puts the school at risk of future closure. Our community benefits from having all PK–8 students together at Westford. The proposed move creates major transportation and logistical challenges for families. Westford families would end up spending far more time and money than the projected budget savings suggest.”

  • “It’s a huge change, yet yields a very low cost savings for the district. Sufficient planning hasn’t been done to ensure this is the right decision. I.e, transportation, plans for the empty space, new superintendent, etc.”

  • “They need more time to assess the actual savings. If it's just one teacher or an added language option, that's not enough to justify moving all our middle schoolers. Transportation also needs careful planning, my side of Westford is over 18 miles from Essex, and bus rides would be too long and spread out."

  • “Westford Middle School offers a strong, cost-effective education. Our students leave confident and well-prepared. Those who prefer EMS or ADL already have that option, and students from those schools who may thrive in a more intimate, nurturing setting can come to Westford. It’s a win-win. Before making any decisions, I’d like to see a thorough cost-benefit analysis. I’m not convinced closing the school will truly save $270K.

  • “Too many “what ifs” at this point. It makes total sense to think through this monumental change.”

  • “A pause will give more time to assess the impact of reducing the size of our school and take an honest look at whether it is likely to lead to the closure of WES.”

  • "I completely agree with the concerns about the process and the lack of early involvement from Westford families, especially regarding feedback and the cost impact of other options, not just financial, but also in terms of educational and social experiences. Transportation is already a mess and this plan only makes it worse. I’ve seen over 50 cars lined up at 3:30 to pick up kids. While my kids are no longer middle schoolers, I’d hate to lose the option of Westford Middle School for others. Middle school choice is important, but it should include the option of Westford.”

What Can You Do?

Fill Out A Survey

Share your personal concerns or experiences. Your input is critical in showing the school board the impact this decision will have on families, students, and the community.

Volunteer

Join our advocacy team! Whether it’s spreading the word, organizing events, or helping with outreach, every contribution matters.

Show Up At Meetings

Attend school board and community meetings to voice your concerns and stand up for our school. Bring friends, family, and neighbors—it’s essential to show strong community support