Panel backs familiar entry design for new school

School Building Committee · Meeting of June 17, 2026

WATERTOWN — The Watertown School Building Committee voted unanimously to recommend a familiar security vestibule design for the new middle school over a newer industry-recommended alternative. Chairman Mark Sideris presided as the committee also approved $2,286,187.20 in high school invoices and $1,196,516.86 in middle school design invoices for May. AI3 Architects partner James Jordan presented a middle school design reorienting the main entrance to Bemis Street, with roughly 74 parking spaces and a 126 percent increase in secured outdoor play space.

James Jordan said the rejected vestibule option still left "an obstacle for somebody in admin to look past" against the risk of unauthorized entry. The team said the middle school project needs City Council authorization on August 11 to proceed past design, with a target move-in of September 2029. The high school remains $775,000 under its city-approved budget, with a ribbon cutting set for September 1.

In the full story:

• Call to Order and Routine Approvals
• High School Project Update: Construction Nearing Completion
• High School Invoices and Change Orders
• Middle School Design Development: Schedule and Cost Estimating
• Middle School Site Plan and Circulation
• Middle School Floor Plans and Security Vestibule Decision
• Middle School Exterior Materials and STEM Branding
• Middle School Interior Design and Educational Programming
• Procedural Steps and Outcome, Next Steps
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,107 words

Source: the School Building Committee meeting of June 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.