The Lexington School Committee meets Tuesday, Aug. 25, with two high-stakes items on the agenda: the first formal update on a wetlands appeal that has frozen construction of the new high school and a discussion of the timeline for approving Alpha School, an AI-driven private school seeking to open in town.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at 173 Bedford St. and runs until 8:20 p.m.

High school construction stalled

As we reported Friday, a group of 12 residents led by Jim Williams filed an appeal with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in July, arguing the School Building Committee did not adequately consider alternatives that avoid building on wetlands at the 251 Waltham St. site. MassDEP accepted the appeal and ordered all site work within 100 feet of wetlands halted until the state decides.

The construction pause has already added at least $1 million in unavoidable costs, according to School Building Committee Chair Kathleen Lenihan. The price tag climbs steeply with each month of delay: $1 million to $2.5 million if MassDEP decides by Sept. 1, $2.5 million to $5 million if the decision comes by Oct. 1, and more than $12 million if it stretches past Nov. 1. That worst-case scenario would push the planned 2029 opening into winter and force the town to heat both the old and new buildings simultaneously.

"Because of the work we're not able to do over the summer, an additional at least $1 million is not avoidable," Lenihan told the Lexington Observer on Aug. 20.

MassDEP is scheduled to conduct a site visit at the high school property on Thursday, Aug. 27, two days after Tuesday's meeting. The superintendent's report marks the School Committee's first formal discussion of the appeal's impact on the $659.7 million project.

Alpha School approval timeline

Also on the agenda: the timeline for deciding whether to approve Alpha School's application to open at 92 Hayden Ave. Under Massachusetts law, private schools need local School Committee approval to operate in a municipality.

Alpha, based in Austin, Texas, uses an AI-driven model in which students spend two hours daily on laptop-based core academics, with difficulty levels adjusted by the system, followed by afternoon "life skills workshops." Tuition runs $55,000 to $65,000 per year. The school anticipated enrolling about 20 students in Lexington, with 18 families having put down deposits as of July.

School Committee Chair Larry Freeman and members Eileen Jay, Mona Roy and Kathleen Lenihan heard Alpha's initial presentation on June 16. Members raised concerns about how the school teaches sensitive historical topics, its approach to literacy and critical thinking, and its use of "guides" who may not be certified teachers rather than traditional educators.

Superintendent Julie Hackett was tasked with leading a review of Alpha's staffing, instructional time, arts access and student support. A recommendation was expected a few months after the committee's August meeting, according to Lexington Observer reporting in July.

Alpha is expanding rapidly in Massachusetts. Boston Public Schools approved a Beacon Hill location in June, and the network plans to open 27 new campuses nationally this year. Alpha's founder has committed more than $1 billion to the venture, WBUR reported.

What else is on the agenda

The committee will also revote on the updated 2026-2027 school calendar.

Tuesday is the first day of school for Lexington Public Schools students.