Lexington's New High School Carries a $659.7 Million Price Tag Before December Vote

LEXINGTON -- September 27, 2025, Lex Local profiles a $659.7 million Lexington High School budget ahead of a December 8 debt exclusion vote. The episode, recorded at the Lexington Community Center, featured project manager Doran Whittier breaking down the total cost into $534 million in construction under anticipated contract with Turner Construction, $94.5 million in soft costs, and $31 million in owner's contingency, with roughly $93 million in contingencies already embedded in the construction figure. Whittier said three more estimates remain before a spring 2027 bid date and that "this number can come down." The Massachusetts School Building Authority is expected to contribute approximately $111 million, leaving Lexington to cover roughly $543 million through bonds and property taxes, according to Mike Burton. Assistant Town Manager for Finance Harolyn Kosnoff has launched an online taxpayer impact calculator allowing homeowners to project their individual tax increase over 35 years.