Littleton School Committee Unanimously Backs Tennis Court Expansion, Shaker Lane Funding Boost

LITTLETON — September 14, 2023 — Littleton School Committee unanimously backed a plan to expand Littleton High School's tennis courts from two to four and approved a $385,000 budget increase for the Shaker Lane Elementary School feasibility study at its September 14 meeting. Park and Recreation Assistant Director Tim House told the committee the $734,000 Community Preservation-funded project would replace two town hall courts being demolished for a new senior center, with the preferred construction window set for summer 2024 following a fall town meeting vote. Superintendent Dr. Kelly Clenchy declined to commit school department funds to the project, saying "I just want to be cautious of promising money to a group" without knowing the specific contribution the CPC expected, and argued the Select Board should be part of any broader cost-sharing conversation. On the Shaker Lane project, Clenchy told the committee that construction cost escalation since the original $700,000 budget was set has created a shortfall, and the additional $385,000 — to be drawn from existing town funds rather than a new tax request — is needed to complete the OPM contract and feasibility study required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which reimburses the district at approximately 48.86 percent of eligible costs. The committee also voted unanimously to amend policy JHA on second reading, removing a five-day advance notice requirement for religious holiday absences and dropping Good Friday as a district-wide school closure day.