Strong schools, bright future

By Guest

Dear Editor:

Thank you, Canton, for showing up in such an extraordinary way at the recent Special Town Meeting. With over 1,100 residents in attendance, the overwhelming support for the new Galvin Middle School project was truly inspiring! Justin Thibeault of Ai3, one of our project architects, described the turnout as remarkable, saying, “Typically, we’d expect around 500 voters — not over 1,000.” This level of engagement shows how deeply our community values its future and its children.

As a member of the GMS Building Committee and Canton School Committee, I’ve been honored to play a hands-on role in this nearly decade-long journey. The new Galvin Middle School is the culmination of countless hours of dedication from Canton’s volunteers and professionals. It reflects the voices of thousands who have shared their ideas, insights, and support. I deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone who has contributed to this bold vision for education in our town.

I’ve been told that Canton has not constructed a major municipal building in over 50 years. This project represents a rare opportunity to modernize our schools and provide facilities that reflect the high standards of education we hold dear. If we let this opportunity slip, we risk losing the $72 million grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), facing years of delays, rising costs, and no guarantee of reentry into the program.

The new Galvin Middle School will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for grades 5-8; better utilize space and alleviate overcrowding in our three elementary schools; and elevate education, the arts, and athletic opportunities for all our citizens. Designed with fiscal responsibility and the greatest good in mind, the average tax impact (presented to residents at the Special Town Meeting) is $441 annually — less than $110 per quarter. I’m grateful that Canton offers programs to help residents who may find affordability a challenge, including exemptions for seniors and veterans, hardship grants, and the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.

Strong schools are the cornerstone of thriving communities — they attract families, enhance property values, and equip our children with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. This is about more than bricks and mortar; it’s about building a foundation for success, empowering our educators, and ensuring every student has a place to grow and thrive.

Voting for this project takes place on December 10, or you can cast an early ballot (by mail anytime or in person starting November 30 at Town Hall). We’ve come so far, but this journey isn’t over yet. To move forward, we need everyone to stay engaged and continue their commitment to this process.

This is our chance to address critical needs, invest in our children, and strengthen our community. I encourage everyone to visit galvinmsproject.com to learn more. Let’s come together again and vote ‘Yes’ to build strong schools and a bright future for Canton.

With gratitude,

Kristian Darigan Merenda

Canton School Committee

Share This Post

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=130385