Needham, Massachusetts
Pollard Now.
For Needham's Future.
An investment in our schools is an investment in our community. This fall, Needham residents will decide whether to replace the outdated Pollard facility with a modern grades 6–8 middle school and auditorium. Voting YES solves critical building issues, captures up to $60 million1 in state reimbursement, and strengthens our town’s educational excellence.
Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Vote YES on the debt exclusion to fund a new Pollard Middle School for grades 6–8.
For more information visit the Pollard Middle School Project(opens in new tab)Here’s what’s on the ballot this November — and why it matters.
- Beat the Inflation Trap: Delaying construction adds millions in costs every year.
- Secure State Funding: Partner with the MSBA to receive back an estimated 20% of the project’s cost.
- Replace 1956 Infrastructure: Swaps failing electrical, plumbing, and HVAC for modern, up-to-code systems.
- End Costly Emergency Repairs: Eliminates expensive maintenance on obsolete systems and old trailers.
Our Foundation
“The foundation of our town was built on the commitment to educate our children, recognizing that a strong school system is the heartbeat of a thriving community.”
The Pollard Plan will replace the 70-year-old school with a facility designed for the next century. We can leverage a state partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to build an efficient school that meets the needs of students and benefits our entire town—guided by careful planning and fiscal responsibility at every step.
Why Pollard matters to every resident
Three reasons this matters — whether or not you have kids in school.
Delivering a 21st-Century Education
A new building replaces Pollard’s obsolete 1956 layout, undersized classrooms, and failing climate systems with right-sized learning spaces and modern science labs. This design allows our teachers to fully deliver a curriculum that supports the Portrait of a Needham Graduate and creates a resource for the entire community.
Protecting Your Home Equity
A town’s long-term value directly relies on the quality of its public buildings and spaces. Research shows that every $1 invested in school infrastructure can increase local property values by as much as $1.502. A modern Pollard ensures a consistent pipeline of homebuyers and protects the resale value of your home.
Securing Up to $60M in State Funding
Through the partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), Needham is eligible for up to $60 million in state reimbursement to directly lower the town’s cost for the project.
What the new Pollard looks like
The plan in pictures.
Architect’s renderings of the proposed new Pollard Middle School — from the main entrance to a bird’s-eye view of the campus.
Slide 1 of 4
The new Pollard — main entrance
The proposed main entrance: a welcoming glass-and-brick front facing a planted meadow, with separated walking and biking paths to the door.
Full-resolution plans and ongoing updates live on the official Pollard Middle School Project page(opens in new tab).
Why your voice matters now
The final step is a community-wide “Yes.”
This is an opportunity to shape the future of Needham! While Needham has been accepted into the MSBA program to partner for a new Pollard, the final step to cross the finish line is a community-wide “Yes” vote on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Because this local vote happens during the federal election, you can ensure every neighbor remembers to look for Pollard on their ballot. We are a small team of neighbors fueled by community spirit, and we need you!
Here’s how we can win together
Lend Your Time
Talk to friends and neighbors about the project and help with community outreach.
Lend Your Voice
Remind your network to show up and vote locally this November.
Lend Your Support
Donate—large or small—it provides lawn signs and mailers that keep our community informed and inspired.
From Needham Public Schools
Plans, financials, and the latest updates — straight from the source.
Plans, financial impact tables, meeting minutes, and the latest timeline updates from the Pollard Building Project.
Sources & notes
- 1. Pollard Middle School Project Submission Documents — PDP Chapter 3.1.1.4: Capital Budget Statement (Page 16). ↩
- 2. Cellini, S. R., Ferreira, F., & Rothstein, J. (2010). “The Value of School Facility Investments: Evidence from a Dynamic Regression Discontinuity Design.” The Quarterly Journal of Economics. ↩
- 3. Needham Public Schools FY27 Student Population Enrollment Memorandum (Presented to School Committee Dec. 16, 2025). ↩